Want to stain brick? It’s a great way to add some colour and style to your home. But how do you do brick staining the right way? We’re here to help.
The exterior of your house is the window to your interior design’s soul. To stain brick means that your home is up on current trends within the painting community. While there are people who believe that painting an exterior brick house is the way to go, it is not ideal. The process of staining requires a lot of research and dedication that you must have to get this job done. Instead of searching aimlessly over the web, use this as a guide on how to stain brick.
Can You Stain Old Brick?
Yes, it can be done but requires more prep. If you are comfortable doing these steps, please feel free to do so. However, if it is a bit intimidating, go for a painting service or exterior brick staining company for its professional skill set and knowledge.
- Before you begin, fixing the grout area requires minor filling with grout caulking.
- Old bricks may need to be restored. Brick replacement is a specialized task that requires a bricklayer or mason labourer.
- Removal of items such as house numbers and electrical lights must be removed safely when dealing with old bricks. If you have the tools to do so and feel confident enough, remove each item with care.
- Wash the bricks with a heavy-pressure washer. You want to get rid of any residue.
Now that you have done these tasks, the process of staining old brick is now much more accessible for you to do. You want to ensure to follow all these measures, or else it can cause external damage to your home’s exterior.
What Kind of Stain to Use?
The quality of the stain is what you should consider when asking yourself, “What kind of stain do you use on brick?” Look for top-of-the-line brands when choosing. You want quality over a cheaper deal. Cheaper product quality will pale in comparison. You want lasting results. Here are some quality stains used by companies like Home Painters Toronto to ensure the best results.
Companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams have a vast selection of stain palettes you can choose from. These companies have top-of-the-line products. When someone asks you what kind of stain you use on brick, you can either impress/scare them off with your extensive knowledge.
Can Brick be Stained a Different Colour?
You may feel trapped when picking just one colour. However, fear not. You can have several hues if you can’t decide on just one. Now, this is entirely up to you, the homeowner. Go for a colour that catches your interest as you know best when it comes to your home.
As mentioned, the colourways are utterly subjective to the homeowner. Some common trends in exterior brick stain colors recent years include:
Gray Palette
In 2023, a gray palette has been a popular choice amongst homeowners in Toronto and the GTA. Gray brick stain is said to be the most popular choice amongst homeowners in the area. This is because it has a neutral colour that will go with any other brick stain colour, plus it’s easy to maintain.
Muted Blacks
Muted blacks are a classic choice that customers have loved after seeing the finished result. This is a great choice if you want to create an elegant look for your home. The colour will make your walls look sleek and sophisticated, which is something that many homeowners love about this type of brick stain.
Charcoal
Charcoal colours are a stylish and new forming trend for exteriors. It is a deep and dark colour that will give your home a sophisticated look. Charcoal also has a matte finish, which makes it an excellent choice if you want to minimize the reflection of sunlight on your walls.
Brown and White
Brown and white palettes are a good choice if you want to keep your exterior lighter. This is a good choice if you want to create a more minimalist look for your home. It’s also an excellent way to make sure that your brick house doesn’t stand out too much, which can be the case if you use darker colours. White brick stain is ideal if you live in a hot climate and want to reduce the amount of heat that your home absorbs from the sun.
Is Staining Brick Permanent?
The short answer is yes, it is. It is permanent, which is a good reason you should stain rather than paint it. This is why it is paramount that you do the job correctly. It will last a very long time. Some additional advantages include:
- Longevity. Staining brick will last for a lifetime. When you stain, it becomes part of the brick and avoids peeling like paint would.
- Variety of colours. It also allows the homeowner to have the option to go semi-transparent, which illuminates the hues at a modest level.
- Materials needed are much higher-end, so you are guaranteed lasting results.
- Seals the brick. Allowing the bricks to breathe more comfortably and no bubbling or blistering, which is something paint does over time.
To stain brick means to have an exterior that is in it for the long run. Please do not rush this job, as it’s like getting a tattoo. You don’t want to regret it in 5 years when you wake up one morning.
5. How to Stain Brick Fireplace?
While the exterior season is just around the corner, you also need to stain your brick fireplace. When you have a hot cup of cocoa and are ready to bundle up by the fireplace in the winter, you do not want to be looking at an eyesore. It would help if you were as regimented to stain a brick fireplace as you would be with any other part of your exterior. Follow these steps:
- Gather all materials needed.
- Clean the fireplace before staining
- Wear the appropriate attire when doing this task. This includes safety goggles, robust clothing materials and painter’s tape to make the job safer.
- Thoroughly follow the instructions on the staining product label.
- Brush the stains in an unconventional pattern rather than in a row. This will lead to a more even and natural finish.
- Fix drips and mistakes immediately, then allow the stain on a brick fireplace to dry
How Much Does it Cost to Stain Exterior Brick?
6. How to Stain Brick House?
Now you are ready for the main event. The process requires general prep for this job to be done successfully. You need much free time as this job will take more than one day to finish. Time, effort, experience and materials needed are all essential to stain brick.
Staining brick can be a fun task to do over a long weekend or time off. Homeowners wanting to do the job by themselves usually have experience with painting.
If you are a novice and looking to do it yourself, you need to consider a few things.
Staining brick can be a fun task to do over a long weekend or time off. Homeowners wanting to do the job by themselves usually have experience with painting. If you are a novice and looking to do it yourself, you need to consider a few things.
- Make sure you are comfortable with ladders
- Be a pro at cutting and rolling; cutting clean lines is essential for the staining brick exterior.
- Research videos online on how to stain brick exterior before you start.
- Painting experience is necessary; you need to be confident in your painting skills before staining the brick exterior.
The actual process of brick staining includes
- Fixing grout areas with minor filling with grout caulking.
- Brick replacement is a specialized task that needs a bricklayer or mason labourer.
- Spraying is only applicable if the home has a significant amount of space from other houses. 20 and 30ft apart is ideal.
- Brush, rolls, and spray are preferred, depending on circumstances. For example, if there are many cars nearby, painters should be wary not to overspray.
In Toronto and the GTA, paint companies will use a roll and brush for staining exterior brick. Since houses in these neighbourhoods are generally packed together with limited space, spraying should not be necessary. You are now ready to stain brick exteriors and fireplaces.
Brick Staining Before and After Photos
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If you decided that you do not want to do this task, give Home Painters Toronto a chance to provide you with ease of mind to stain brick exteriors with guaranteed results. Please give us a call at 416.494.9095, or email us at Brian@HomePaintersToronto.com. Also, don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below as well!
