Brick is one of the most common building materials on Adelaide streets. Many Adelaide homes have face brick walls that still look solid but feel dated. Painting exterior brick can change the whole look of a house, yet it is a decision worth thinking through before you pick up a brush or book a painter.
This guide covers when painting brick makes sense, what good preparation looks like, which coatings are usually suggested and the questions to ask before you start. For a closer look at what we do, see our brick painting services in Adelaide. If you would rather talk it through, contact us and request a free quote.
Why People Paint Exterior Brick
The most common reason is appearance. Orange or brown brick can clash with a new roof, new windows or a modern colour scheme. A painted finish gives the house a cleaner, more even look and lets you choose a colour that suits the street and the garden.
Other reasons include:
- Hiding patchy repairs or mismatched bricks from an old extension
- Covering staining that cleaning will not shift
- Tying a brick house in with rendered or weatherboard sections
- Refreshing a home before selling
Painting is not the right answer for every wall, though. Once brick is painted, it needs repainting over time, and going back to bare brick is hard work. That is why it pays to be sure first.
Should You Paint Your Brick House?
It depends on the look you want, the condition of the walls and how much upkeep you are happy with. Painted brick, including the popular choice of painting exterior brick white, can modernise a house, but it commits you to repainting every so often. If your brick is in good shape and you like it, cleaning and repointing may be enough. If it looks dated, stained or patchy, paint can be a good answer.
Is Your Brick a Good Candidate?
Before anything else, look closely at the condition of the walls. Brick that is sound, dry and free of major cracking is usually a good candidate for paint. Some warning signs to look for:
- Salt damp or rising damp. White powdery deposits (efflorescence) near the base of walls, crumbling mortar or bricks that flake away. Many older Adelaide homes deal with salt damp, and painting over it can trap moisture and lead to bubbling and peeling. The cause needs to be fixed first.
- Cracks. Fine hairline cracks are common. Larger or stepped cracks can point to movement, which is a job for a builder or engineer before painting.
- Loose or missing mortar. Joints may need repointing so the surface is solid.
- Heritage controls. If your home is a heritage place or in a State Heritage Area, external painting can need development approval through your local council, and painting brick that has never been painted is generally not supported. See the Department for Environment and Water guidance and check with your council first. Our heritage home painting guide explains more about working on older homes.
If you are unsure about any of these, ask a painter to look at the walls in person. A short site visit can save a lot of trouble later.
How Exterior Brick Is Prepared
Good preparation is what makes painted brick last. The steps usually look something like this:
- Cleaning. Dirt, cobwebs, moss and chalky residue are removed so paint can bond. This might involve washing and a suitable cleaner, then time for the brick to dry fully.
- Repairs. Damaged mortar is repointed and cracks are filled with a product that suits masonry.
- Treating efflorescence. Salt deposits are brushed off and the source of moisture is checked.
- Masking and protection. Windows, doors, paths, plants and fittings are covered.
- Priming or sealing. Brick is porous, so a masonry sealer or primer is often used to even out absorption and help the topcoats grip.
Skipping steps here is the main reason painted brick fails early. If a quote does not mention preparation, ask what is included. Want someone to check your walls first? Contact us to request a free quote.
Choosing a Coating for Brick
Brick needs a coating that can handle the outdoors and still let the wall breathe. Painters usually suggest one of these options:
- Exterior acrylic masonry paint. The most common choice. It is flexible, handles sun well and comes in a wide range of colours.
- Breathable or mineral-based coatings. Sometimes suggested for older brick where moisture movement is a concern.
- Textured or membrane coatings. These can help even out a rough or patchy surface.
The right product depends on your brick, its condition and the look you want. Paint manufacturers publish product data sheets that list suitable surfaces, so it is worth asking your painter which product they plan to use and why.
Picking a Colour That Works
Adelaide gets strong summer sun, and that affects colour choice. Very dark colours absorb more heat and can show fading sooner on west and north-facing walls. Mid to light tones tend to stay looking fresh for longer and keep surfaces a little cooler. Our post on how long exterior paint lasts in South Australia explains how sun affects coatings.
A few tips:
- Look at the roof, gutters and window frames. These fixed colours should guide your choice.
- Test sample pots on a section of the wall and look at them in morning and afternoon light.
- Think about the street. A colour that sits well with neighbouring homes often looks more settled.
If you are also wondering about the cost of painting exterior brick, our exterior house painting cost guide explains what affects a quote.
What About Rendering Instead?
Some owners compare painting with rendering. Rendering adds a new layer over the brick and changes the texture as well as the colour. It is a bigger job and usually involves different trades. Painting keeps the brick texture visible while changing the colour. Both can look great, so it comes down to the finish you prefer and the condition of the walls. A painter can tell you whether paint alone will give the result you want.
DIY or Professional?
Painting a small brick feature wall can be a reasonable DIY project if you prepare well. A whole house is a different story. It involves ladders or scaffolding, lots of cutting in around windows and eaves, and careful surface prep that takes time. Mistakes on brick are hard to undo, because paint soaks into the surface.
A professional painter brings the right equipment, knows how to handle problem areas and can give you a clear written scope. The same care applies to a painted brick fence or garden wall.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- What preparation is included, and how will damp or cracks be handled?
- Which primer and topcoat will be used?
- How many coats are planned?
- How will gardens, paths and windows be protected?
- What happens if the weather turns during the job?
Clear answers to these questions help you compare quotes fairly.
Ready to Talk About Your Brick Home?
If you are thinking about painting exterior brick, call us on 0415 605 744 or contact us for a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint exterior brick on any house?
Most sound, dry brick can be painted. Walls with salt damp, large cracks or loose mortar need those problems fixed first, so it is best to have the brick checked before painting.
Do you need to prime brick before painting?
Brick is porous, so a masonry primer or sealer is often used to even out absorption and help the paint grip. Your painter can suggest the right product for your walls.
Can painted brick be returned to bare brick?
It is possible, but it is slow and difficult work because paint soaks into the surface. That is why it is worth being sure about painting before you start.
What colours suit painted brick in Adelaide?
Mid to light tones are popular because they handle strong sun well. Choose a colour that works with your roof, gutters and window frames, and test sample pots on the wall first.
Do I need council approval to paint brick?
If your home is a heritage place or in a State Heritage Area, painting can count as development and need approval through your council, and painting brick that has never been painted is generally not supported. For other homes, check your property’s zone and overlays with your council before you start.
How do I get a quote for painting brick?
Contact us with a few photos and details of your home and we will arrange a time to talk about the job and give you a free quote.