Expert: Joan Miller - 1/25/2009

Question
Love my house except the outside. Ugly dark brown brick. Trim in china white with gray shutters and a red front door. I hate the color brick. Looks like a commercial brick.Carport has hardy back lap board painted china white.Shingles grey architectural. Brick has a tiny spec of grey. I want to paint this brick but not sure what colors.House is 90' long and about 35' wide.Carport opens from front. I really want to make this dull and dreary outside look better. Live in country with lots of acrerage. Probably best to go with nature color of some sort. Lots of pine trees, shrubs, landscaped yard.Asphault driveway with carport being paved to meet driveway. Can you give me any suggestions?Also thinking about adding bay window in kitchen on front of house. Average size window.Help!!!!

thanks for your time,
susan

Answer
Thank you for your question Susan. If you intend to paint your brick, please consider this following comment. All bricks have a maximum percentage of absorption, therefore if you do paint it, it will only hold a few years or so. In time, the paint will peel and chip off your brick's surface.

If you absolutely want to change that color, it is possible. You may want to contact your local brick and stone distributor to begin with. Ask them to refer to you a specialized company that "stain" brick. Staining the brick will last for more than 25 years (that is their guarantee for your information) the color stays on permanently and will not chip or peel off.

As for the color, go ahead with a lighter tone of "creams"(The brick staining consultant will show you a large variety of color choices). Those colors are best with the "nature" context you live in, and will definitely brighten up your treasured home!

Hope this helps, good luck!

Joan