A customer in Media, PA wanted to brighten their home’s look without making the brick areas completely white. They contacted Benner & Sons about applying a whitewash finish to their brick, which we were happy to provide.
About The Process
Years of fireplace use created dark stains around the chimney, which we power-washed away before painting. We first used a small test area on the side of the house to confirm the right look with the homeowner. Our painter used a 50/50 mix of water and white exterior paint, applied by hand. He carefully filled in small brick areas behind posts and gutters while maintaining a consistent application. A small piece of trim was color-matched and painted as well to complete the exterior look.
Throughout the process, we took precautions to prevent any damage to plants. The job was completed in just 2 days and the homeowner was thrilled.
I just finished an exterior painting job on out house and could not be happier. Our painter took great care not to hurt our plants while doing a tedious job of whitewashing the brick on the front of our house.
– Charlie S.
The Challenges of a Whitewash Exterior Brick Finish
Whitewashing brick is a tedious process that many other painting companies don’t offer. Brick is extremely porous, and different bricks or mortar joints may absorb the whitewash at different rates. As the paint dries, it lightens, so it takes experience to predict how much paint you’ll need to achieve the desired look. Our painters applied the whitewash by hand to ensure an even finish and retouched specific areas after the paint dried.
Watered-down paint can also cause more drips and cleanup if the painter isn’t careful with application. We carefully covered all areas below the painting and avoided drips on the bricks.
There is a common misconception that brick should not be painted to maintain its breathability, but this is not true. The homeowner should understand that once brick is painted, it is very difficult to remove the paint.
If you are interested in a whitewashed look for your home or business, contact Benner & Sons about our exterior painting services.