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You can make an exterior brick façade feel more current without covering all of the brick. Start with changes to trim and other surrounding details if you want to keep the masonry untouched; use cleaning and repair to restore its existing appearance; or choose a finish such as limewash, masonry stain, or mortar wash to change the brick itself. The right option depends on how much original brick you want visible and whether the masonry is sound and dry.
Choose an update based on how much brick you want to keep
These four approaches range from changing the surroundings to adding material directly to the masonry. Treatments that alter the brick need more attention to its condition, moisture, prior coatings, and drying time.
| Approach | Effect on visible brick | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Refresh surrounding colors and details | Brick remains untreated and fully visible | Trim, doors, shutters, lighting, gutters, garage door, or landscaping |
| Clean and repair | Brick remains visible; appearance may be clearer and more consistent | Dirt, damaged units, mortar, or moisture-related issues are addressed |
| Limewash or masonry stain | Texture remains visible; color and degree of coverage vary by finish | A mineral wash or a suitable masonry stain changes the surface color |
| Mortar wash (German smear) | Some brick can remain visible, depending on application | A thin layer of mortar changes color and texture across brick and joints |
1. Refresh the palette around the brick
If you want a noticeable change without coating or covering the masonry, update the elements that frame it. New trim or front-door colors, for example, can shift the overall impression while leaving the brick as it is. Shutters, a garage door, exterior lighting, gutters, and landscaping are other places to consider.
This approach does not require choosing a brick finish, but it is still worth considering the façade as a whole: the brick’s existing color and visual weight should guide the colors and materials around it.
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- A CHIMNEY SEALANT WITH ENDURING PERFORMANCE: This brick protector creates a permanent bond with your chimney’s masonry for durable protection. It allows trapped moisture to escape, preventing freeze/thaw damage and ensuring lasting effectiveness
- SILOXANE BRICK SEALER PREVENTS LEAKS: Chimney waterproofing is important because cracks in your chimney can let water seep into the home; this water repellent effectively seals & waterproofs your chimney, protecting your home from water intrusion
- BREATHABLE BRICK SEALER EXTERIOR PROTECTION: This non-film forming sealant spray offers breathable, superior protection without altering surface color for residential chimneys, brick walls, and vertical masonry surfaces like stone, stucco, and more
- EASY APPLICATION WATER-BASED CHIMNEY WATERPROOFING SEALANT: Apply 2 coats of chimney sealer with a pump-up sprayer while using drop cloths to prevent overspray, but product is water based & VOC compliant, so it’s easy to clean up
- COVERAGE & DRY TIME: Our siloxane brick sealer covers 80-150 sq. ft. per gallon (2 coats). Dries to touch in 2-6 hours after you spray sealer. Waterproof in 4-6 hours, with continued strengthening over several weeks
2. Clean and repair the existing masonry
Cleaning can improve the appearance of brick without changing its underlying color or texture. Before cleaning—or applying any finish—inspect for damaged bricks or mortar, water entry, efflorescence, and previous treatments. Repair masonry problems and address excess moisture before treating the surface.
Use a cleaning method suited to the brick
Pressure washing is not automatically the right answer. The Brick Industry Association (BIA) says pressurized water has been used successfully on some brick, but incorrect use can cause irreparable damage, and the method is appropriate only for certain brick types. Follow guidance suited to the actual masonry rather than assuming that a pressure washer is safe. See the BIA’s brick-cleaning guidance.
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- INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR PROTECTION: Shields both interior and exterior brick walls with a water-resistant barrier. Helps prevent moisture, cracking, and flaking for long-lasting durability.
- CLEAR SATIN FINISH: This clear brick sealer enhances the natural color of masonry with a subtle satin sheen. Multiple coats increase shine and highlight the beauty of your brick surfaces.
- EASY-TO-CLEAN SURFACE: Forms a washable layer that repels dirt and grime. Simplifies cleaning for both indoor and outdoor brick walls, keeping surfaces looking fresh and well-maintained.
- REDUCES INTERIOR BRICK DUST: Acts as an interior brick dust sealer to minimize dust settling on floors. Low odor, water-based formula keeps your indoor spaces cleaner and more comfortable.
- VERSATILE APPLICATION AND COVERAGE: Apply with brush, roller, or airless sprayer. Covers 80-150 sq. ft. per 1 gal. Ideal for use as a masonry sealer for fireplaces, walls, and more.
Let new or repaired masonry dry before finishing
The BIA’s Technical Note 6, published in March 2025, says new or repaired masonry should cure and dry completely for at least 30 days before treatment. The BIA also advises ensuring the masonry is dry before applying a finish. Read BIA Technical Note 6.
3. Apply limewash or masonry stain
Limewash and masonry stain can both change brick color while leaving its texture visible, but they are different finishes. The BIA describes traditional limewash as a mixture of lime putty, water, and pigment. Its color can be built up, and it weathers naturally. A masonry stain changes the color of brick units, mortar joints, or both; whether a stain is suitable depends on the product and the masonry substrate.
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- [ PREMIUM ] High-Strength Wall Waterproofing for Brick, Stone, Mortar, Cement, Sandstone and Granite. Not applicable on limestone or painted surfaces.
- [ 25 YEAR PROTECTION ] Stormdry’s cream-based formulation allows it to Penetrate Deeply forming an invisible Water Repellent barrier in a Single Coat Application
- [ BREATHABLE ] Allows masonry to breathe and dry naturally. Easy to Apply Penetrating Damp Treatment that maintains thermal properties of cavity wall insulation
- [ CLEAR] brick sealer exterior. Fully cured Stormdry brick damp seal will maintain natural appearance of the wall
- [ INDEPENDENTLY APPROVED, TESTED & VERIFIED: ] ✔️ BBA Approved (Certificate Number: 15/5198); ✔️ Verified by the Energy Savings Trust as an energy saving method; ✔️ Tested by University of Portsmouth
Know what kind of “whitewash” you are buying
The names on products can be confusing. The BIA distinguishes mineral limewash from a faux wash made by diluting acrylic paint. Acrylic paint forms a surface film and does not have the same characteristics as authentic limewash. Check the product’s composition and confirm that its instructions approve it for exterior brick. See the BIA homeowner FAQ on limewash and brick finishes.
Before choosing a product, account for the brick’s condition, existing coatings, and moisture exposure. Product-specific instructions matter; there is no single finish that is suitable for every brick surface.
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- BREATHABLE WATER-REPELLENT FILM - Designed for exterior brick walls and porous masonry, the acrylic formula forms a light protective film that helps reduce water absorption while allowing moisture vapor to move outward through the treated surface. Ideal for clean, dry, above-grade masonry.
- COLOR-ENHANCING, UV-RESISTANT SATIN FINISH - Revives faded-looking brick with a subtle satin sheen rather than a high-gloss wet look. The non-yellowing acrylic finish is suited to aged or weathered brick, garden walls and boundary walls; test a small hidden area before full application.
- READY TO USE IN ONE THIN COAT - Mix thoroughly before and during use, then apply a thin, uniform coat with a pump sprayer, roller or brush. Back-roll or back-brush runs, drips and excess material for an even finish; avoid puddling or heavy buildup. Use as supplied for the intended satin finish.
- COVERS UP TO 150 SQ. FT. - One gallon covers approximately one 15 ft x 10 ft wall with one thin coat. Coverage varies with surface porosity, texture and application. Dry to touch in 1-2 hours, dry through in 24 hours and fully cured in 3 days under normal conditions. Keep dry for the full cure.
- FREEZE-THAW PROTECTION & STAIN-RESISTANT FINISH - Helps reduce water absorption, leaving less moisture available to freeze within porous masonry. The light acrylic film also helps resist common surface stains. Low odor with soap-and-water cleanup. Not for structural cracks or active leaks.
4. Use a mortar wash, or German smear
A mortar wash applies a thin layer of mortar over existing brick and joints. It changes both color and texture, and the amount of brick left visible depends on how it is applied. Compared with a wash or stain, this adds more material to the façade, so decide how much original brick you want to remain visible before committing.
As with other treatments, first assess and repair the masonry, address water penetration or excess moisture, and make sure the surface is clean and dry. Existing treatments may also need to be removed before a new finish is applied, depending on the condition and product.
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- Concrete patch filler seals cracks and holes in exterior or interior concrete and masonry surfaces
- Concrete sealer is ready to use – needs no mixing or additives making projects easy
- Flexible adhesive is low in odor, cleans up easy with water and provides a 24 hour return to service time
- Provides a durable, long-lasting concrete crack repair that resists gasoline, salt, grease or oil when cured
- Versatile concrete patch and repair may be painted with latex or oil-based paints
Check moisture and paint risks before choosing a finish
Traditional paint is different from a mineral wash or a compatible masonry stain. The BIA generally does not recommend traditional paint on brick because a film-forming coating can trap moisture. If you want an opaque painted appearance, the BIA recommends vapor-permeable mineral-based paint and advises against painting glazed brick, which is already vapor impermeable. The BIA homeowner FAQ explains its guidance on painting brick.
The same FAQ estimates maintenance and recoating for traditional paint on brick at approximately 3–5 years; the page does not state a publication year (accessed 2026). Treat that as the BIA’s general guidance, not a lifespan guarantee for a particular paint or building.
How to decide
- Want to retain the brick without treating it? Refresh the surrounding palette and leave the masonry alone.
- Want the existing brick to look cleaner? Inspect, repair, and use a cleaning method appropriate to that brick.
- Want to soften or change the color while showing the texture? Compare authentic limewash with a masonry stain approved for your substrate.
- Want a more textured, partly covered appearance? Consider a mortar wash and decide in advance how much brick should remain exposed.
- See moisture, damaged mortar, or an unknown old coating? Resolve those conditions before applying a new finish.
Costs, durability, and removal difficulty vary with the masonry, preparation, product, and application. The available guidance does not establish a universal cost or lifespan comparison across these four approaches, so use product instructions and a qualified masonry professional’s assessment for a specific house.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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