Brick Painting: Cost, Pros and Cons, and Process

Brick Painting

Brick painting costs $3 to $6 per square foot for professional application on exterior surfaces. For a typical Atlanta home with 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft of brick, that is $3,000 to $12,000. Most homeowners pair brick painting with a full Atlanta exterior painting project so trim, fascia, and shutters match the new body color. The cost includes power washing, mortar repair, masonry primer, and two coats of exterior-grade paint — the same exterior painting prep sequence we use on siding. Brick painting is irreversible — once painted, you are committed to maintaining the finish. But done right, it transforms dated red or brown brick into a modern, clean exterior that holds for 7 to 10 years.

Should You Paint Your Brick?

Reasons to paint brick: Modernize dated brick color (red and brown brick from the 1960s-1980s), hide mismatched brick repairs, unify a mixed-material exterior, increase curb appeal before selling. Painted white or cream brick is one of the most popular exterior trends in Atlanta neighborhoods like Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Decatur.

Reasons not to paint brick: New brick needs at least 1 year to cure before painting. Brick with active moisture problems (efflorescence, water penetration) should be diagnosed and repaired first — paint traps moisture inside the brick, causing spalling and structural damage. Historic homes in preservation districts may have restrictions on painting original brick.

Brick Painting Cost

Professional brick painting runs $3 to $6 per square foot. The range depends on brick condition, mortar repair needed, and accessibility. A small ranch with 800 sq ft of brick runs $2,400 to $4,800. A two-story colonial with 1,500 sq ft of brick costs $4,500 to $9,000. Homes with extensive mortar repair or multi-story scaffolding requirements land at the higher end.

The Brick Painting Process

Power wash: Remove dirt, mildew, efflorescence, and loose mortar. Brick must be clean and dry before any primer goes on.

Mortar repair: Cracked or missing mortar joints are tuckpointed before painting. Paint does not fix structural mortar problems — it hides them until they get worse.

Masonry primer: A specialized masonry primer designed for porous brick surfaces. Standard wall primer does not adhere to brick properly and will peel.

Two coats of exterior paint: Elastomeric or high-quality acrylic latex paint rated for masonry. Elastomeric paint stretches with the brick as it expands and contracts with temperature changes — important in Atlanta where summer highs exceed 90 degrees and winter lows drop below freezing.

Limewash vs Paint vs Stain

Limewash: A traditional lime-based coating that soaks into the brick instead of sitting on top. Creates a soft, chalky, European look with natural variation. Not permanent — fades and weathers over 5 to 7 years, which some homeowners prefer as a feature. Can be reapplied without stripping.

Paint: Creates an opaque, uniform finish. Permanent — once painted, brick must be maintained with repainting every 7 to 10 years. The most common choice for a clean, modern look.

Stain: Penetrates the brick and changes the color while preserving the natural texture. More subtle than paint. Permanent and low maintenance but limited color options compared to paint.

Brick Painting in Atlanta

Atlanta has a high concentration of red Georgia clay brick homes, especially in established neighborhoods. White and cream painted brick has become one of the most popular exterior updates in Buckhead, Brookhaven, and Decatur. The transformation from dated red to clean white can increase curb appeal dramatically and is often the single biggest visual change possible without structural renovation.

Get a Free Brick Painting Estimate

OVO Painting handles brick painting across Atlanta with proper masonry prep and elastomeric coatings. 5.0 stars, 135+ reviews. Every project backed by a 5 to 10-year written warranty. Call (404) 630-2720 or request your free estimate.