Painting Brick vs. Staining Brick
If you’re looking for a quick answer of which is better, the bitter truth is, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you care of the longevity of the brick, staining is the way to go. If you’re looking for an easy solution, painting will be the better option. If you need a deeper comparison this article is for you! Now, before you even decide to to paint or stain your brick wall, you should inspect it for any cracks or structural damage. The reason for this is the obvious reason of it being a huge safety issue. If you feel the need to have your home inspected, we offer that service in the great state of Georgia!
What Is Brick Staining?
Majority of people don’t know what “brick staining” is so we’ll start there. It’s pretty much dying the brick a different color and it penetrates deep into the brick. This is the option we recommend and tends to look better than painting. It will make the brick wall look brand new and look completely different to what it was. It’s so effective, it will look like you tore down the old brick and put new brick! The texture of the brick doesn’t change and since it sinks deep into the brick, it won’t chip off when damaged. The longevity of brick staining lasts anywhere from 7-20 years.
The Drawbacks Of Staining Brick
Now, all these benefits don’t come without it’s own setbacks. The main problem with staining is the fact of how tedious it is. Every individual brick will need the staining effect without coming into contact with the mortar. Even after that, it may need multiple layers before you get the desired effect. Whether you want it deeper in color or something somewhat different will determine how many layers you will need. The consistency of the stain is similar to water so if you plan to do it yourself, practice!
Painting Brick
Painting brick is the option we recommend to a brick wall that has been declining and if you’re looking for an easy how-to. We have an article if you’re looking for a step by step guide and what kind of paint you should use. Painting brick is cheaper and doesn’t need as much precision as staining. It’s almost like painting dry wall although it has a few extra steps.
The main drawback of painting is the fact it traps moisture and doesn’t allow the brick to “breathe”. Brick has tiny holes that allow moisture to pass through, which regulates humidity. This process helps brick adjust to changes in temperature and moisture level. Once you trap the moisture with the paint, it can lead to structural damage. Another drawback is the fact that once the paint has set, forget about taking it off and switching to staining. Not only will it be a nightmare to remove but it will be expensive in terms of time and money. The best you can do is chose a different color of paint.
Whatever you decide on, make sure you clean the brick wall and let it dry completely. We obviously prefer staining due to the fact that it looks better and allows the brick to breathe. In the end, both are good options and depends on what hassle you want to deal with, whether that’s now or later down the road.