Painting Ideas & Tips
  • March 18, 2018
  • Exterior Painting

Painting Brick vs. Staining Brick

Updating the color of your brick boosts your home’s curb appeal. Not to mention, it can potentially increase resale value. When it comes time for your block revamp, you have the option of either brick painting or staining brick.

Painting of bricks is the most common task performed, and it’s effortless and can be done by yourself and also requires maintenance to keep up with the look and feel of the room. Expect to repaint it every 3-5 years due to the paint peeling from the surface of the brick. If the painting is not for the vast area, then brick painting is the best option.

If you would like to change the whole look of the room or area then staining is the best choice. In staining the brick absorbs the liquid and color is formed on the surface. The technique allows the blocks to breathe and also get protection from harmful chemicals and pollution from outside.

Main Differences Between Painting and Staining are

Painting requires maintenance, Staining is permanent :

Painting needs to be done for every three to five years; this is mainly due to the painting failures like efflorescence. The paint on brick also peels off after some years, giving the signs of re-painting. In staining, the stain is absorbed by the brick giving it a permanent color transformation and does not require any maintenance.

Painting traps moisture, Staining does not :

Paint forms a layer on the pores and does not allow moisture to come out, resulting in the formation of cracks and chipping. More water enters through these cracks and damages the bricks. Staining is done by silicate materials, intended to retain the physical properties of the blocks. The pores can release the moisture and prevent cracking of bricks. By releasing the humidity, the life of bricks increases.

Painting forms a thin film, staining is a chemical reaction :

As said above, painting creates a thin layer on the bricks, not allowing moisture to come out and damages them. In staining, a chemical reaction occurs between brick and stain solution, giving a permanent color to the brick, and allows for moisture release.

Paint is a flat finish, Staining creates the new look :

Paint creates a flat finish and causes the brick to lose its natural beauty. Paint just sits on the block by creating a thin layer. Staining, on the other hand, penetrates into the masonry and forms a permanent color. If you touch a brick after staining, you can feel the brick, but in painting, you cannot.

Why and why not to paint :

Painting allows to protect the surface of the brick and we can give you colors that are not available naturally. After applying paint to a block, you have to repaint it after three years. In the meantime, the paint may peel off, losing the beauty of the brick. Furthermore, because of the thickness, moisture may be present internally that could prevent the color from sticking. Also, after painting the humidity does not get released, making cracks to appear on the surface.

Why and Why not to stain :

Staining, on the other hand, is the best option. Staining forms a new and natural look to the surface of the brick. But some blocks cannot be stained; if no stain works on them, then painting is the only option available.

Cost of paint and staining :

Compared to color, the stain is costlier. But coming to maintenance, paint requires much more than stain. No experience is needed to paint the surface of bricks, but for staining professional is needed. The color range in staining is less than compared to the painting colors. This the main drawback of staining and positive in painting.

Staining your brick house will significantly boost the curb appeal of your property, but it requires extensive planning and preparation. Painting is a simple process and also increases the curb appeal, but only to some extent. The painting is lost after some years, but staining remains on the brick permanently. More colors are present in the paint, but in stain, there are color restrictions and cannot be used on all types of bricks.

Conclusion

Obviously, there are both negatives and positives in both painting and staining brick. If you are not able to decide the one to choose, our experts at Executive Touch Painters are ready to help you. Contact us online or Call us at 416-410-0164 for more details.