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Brick & Masonry Painting

Change the appearance of exterior brick with an assessment that starts below the color. Midwest Painting Pros evaluates existing coatings, porosity, efflorescence, moisture clues, mortar condition, access, and adjacent surfaces before preparing a brick or masonry painting proposal.

Licensed & Insured
Locally Owned & Operated
Two-Year Warranty
Masonry Assessment

Should Exterior Brick Be Painted?

Brick can be painted, but the right answer depends on the wall—not just the desired color. Paint creates an opaque film and changes future maintenance. A penetrating masonry stain changes color differently, while limewash is a separate mineral finish with its own appearance and performance. These options should not be treated as interchangeable.

Before recommending paint, we look for existing coatings, glazed or low-absorption brick, loose or powdery mortar, cracks, efflorescence, water entry, and surfaces that need repair by the appropriate trade. Coating over active moisture or unsound masonry can lead to avoidable failure.

Paint

Opaque color and a uniform appearance; creates a maintained coating film.

Masonry stain

Designed to color absorptive masonry while preserving more surface character; suitability varies.

Limewash

A separate mineral-based look and process—not simply thin white paint.

What We Assess Before Painting Brick

Efflorescence, deteriorated mortar, failed existing coatings, and staining near openings can point to conditions that need attention before a finish is selected. We document visible concerns and separate painting preparation from masonry, flashing, structural, or water-entry work that may require another qualified trade.

Illustrations show common masonry conditions evaluated before painting; they are not Midwest Painting Pros project photos.

Illustration of efflorescence and a deteriorated mortar joint on exterior brick

Efflorescence

White powdery deposits are commonly associated with moisture moving soluble salts through masonry. Cleaning the deposit without investigating the source can leave the underlying condition unresolved.

Illustration of deteriorated mortar joints and localized cracking in exterior brick

Mortar and Cracks

Loose, recessed, or powdery mortar and recurring cracks are assessed before coating. Unsound masonry may need repair by the appropriate trade first.

Illustration of peeling coating exposing red brick beneath

Existing Coating Failure

Peeling, blistering, chalk, and poor adhesion affect cleaning, removal, primer selection, and whether the remaining coating can support a new system.

Illustration of localized moisture staining below a window sill on exterior brick

Water-Entry Clues

Staining near windows, flashing, rooflines, grade, splashback, and penetrations can indicate an exposure or drainage concern that paint should not conceal.

How We Prepare Brick for Painting

1

Inspect and Test the Surface

We review coating history, absorption, mortar, cracks, staining, moisture clues, and the surrounding materials that need protection.

2

Resolve Repair and Moisture Concerns

The scope separates paint preparation from masonry, flashing, or structural work that should be completed first.

3

Clean and Dry Thoroughly

Dirt, loose material, growth, chalk, and deposits are removed with a method appropriate to the brick. Porous masonry needs adequate drying time.

4

Prime or Condition Where Specified

Absorption, prior coating, repairs, and the selected system determine whether a masonry primer or conditioner belongs in the specification.

5

Apply the Compatible Topcoat

The coating is worked into the brick profile and mortar joints at the documented spread rate and under suitable weather conditions.

Brick Painting Is More Than a Color Selection

Substrate

Brick type, absorption, mortar, existing finish, and repaired areas influence preparation and coating choice.

Exposure

Sun, rain, snow, splashback, rooflines, vegetation, and shaded walls create different conditions around the home.

Finish

Color, sheen, coating build, application method, trim, and adjacent siding are documented before work begins.

Midwest Painting Pros uses owner-confirmed exterior paints including Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint and Latitude and Hallman Lindsay Weatherguard where appropriate. The exact masonry system is selected for the assessed surface rather than promised universally.

What Our Clients Say

5.0 Verified Client Feedback

We recently had our house painted while also having our roof replaced and Midwest Painting Pros (Chad specifically) were wonderful to work with! He worked with us every step of the way and helped coordinate the work schedule with the roofers. They even took on a few extra projects that we noticed along the way. Would highly recommend for all your painting needs!

Julia C.
Julia C. Google Review

We worked with Midwest Painting Pros to paint our gutters (recent project) and garage doors (previous project), to update the look of our home. Chad provides timely responses, estimates and communication - which we really appreciated. The quality of the work was great, and the ultimate outcome was exactly what we had hoped for! We recommend them to anyone that asks and will certainly go back for any future painting needs.

Julie S.
Julie S. Google Review

If you are looking to have your house painted, highly recommend Midwest Painting! The attention to detail and time put into their work was amazing! I expected them to be here for a couple days to complete but they were here 5 days taking their time to make it look great! Their standards are high and want to make sure the job is completed to meet the customers expectations! Thank you to the whole team!!! Marco and Miguel were awesome!!!

S
Shelly J. Facebook Review

The amount of detail and time put into painting our house was exceptional from prepping to finish! Couldn’t have hoped for a better crew, Marco and Miguel were amazing!! (Hopefully I got the names right because they truly deserve the recognition) even neighbors noticed how much attention to detail they had. Thank you for giving our house a new look, loving it!!! Next project at some point will be interior and wouldn’t hesitate using Midwest for that project.

Shelly L.
Shelly L. Google Review

5 stars isn't enough for Chad and his crew. They did an absolutely amazing job painting our house. It was not just paint, it was full service. We had several shudders, collumns, and pieces of wood siding that needed repairs and they took care of all of it. The crew (shoutout Marco) was incredibly professional and made sure we were involved every step of the way. To make things even better, their prices are incredibly competitive and I am happy to say we consider ourselves lifetime customers. It is nearly impossible to find a company in this buisness that is as reasonable, responsive, professional, and competent as these guys.

Adam W.
Adam W. Google Review

Midwest Painting Pros painted the exterior of our 50 year old home this summer. The owner, Chad, is easy to communicate with throughout the process. His crew does awesome work…very meticulous, neat and thorough from start to finish. We are very pleased with the results and would not hesitate to recommend them!

J
Jeanne J. Facebook Review

Brick Painting Cost Factors

  • Painted area, height, access, and masking
  • Brick profile, porosity, and existing coatings
  • Efflorescence, biological growth, and cleaning needs
  • Mortar, crack, or moisture issues requiring separate repair
  • Primer/conditioner, color change, and finish specification

A Written Scope and Two-Year Warranty

Midwest Painting Pros provides a two-year warranty on completed work. Your proposal identifies the included preparation, coating, exclusions, and applicable warranty details.

See our broader exterior painting services or request an on-site masonry assessment.

Get a Free Estimate

Brick & Masonry

Yes, when the masonry is suitable, dry, sound, and properly prepared.

Existing coatings, porosity, mortar, efflorescence, cracks, and moisture sources should be evaluated before the coating is selected.

They are different finish systems.

Paint is generally opaque and film-forming; masonry stain is intended to color absorptive masonry differently; limewash is a mineral finish with a distinct appearance and application. Suitability depends on the brick and desired result.

Efflorescence is a powdery salt deposit associated with moisture moving through masonry.

The deposit and its moisture source should be addressed before painting rather than simply hidden.

Often, but the exact primer or conditioner depends on the surface and coating system.

Absorption, glaze, repairs, existing coatings, and manufacturer instructions determine the specification.

Complete restoration can be difficult and may not return brick to its original appearance.

Paint can penetrate pores and mortar joints, so homeowners should treat exterior brick painting as a consequential, maintained finish decision.

Unsound mortar or structural cracking should be evaluated and repaired before coating.

The estimate distinguishes painting preparation from masonry or structural work that requires another scope or trade.

Area, access, surface condition, repairs, cleaning, absorption, and the coating system all affect cost.

Masking windows and adjacent materials, working paint into textured joints, and major color changes also matter.

Midwest Painting Pros provides a two-year warranty on completed work.

The written proposal documents the included scope and applicable warranty details.