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luchandralea

Mortar Wash on Brick Patio?

8 years ago
Hi, I am painting my red brick home a white-ish color, and am trying to figure out what to do with the brick front porch. I saw a beautiful home that used glass-block mortar to wash the exterior brick and it looks gorgeous. Would a mortar wash work on patio brick (on the ground)? Any other ideas on what to do with the brick porch?

Comments (19)

  • 8 years ago

    Sorry, I'm no help. Your brick looks great...painting it would be a shame. I would work on landscaping. Remove the shutters which are too small. Tons of potential for your pretty house!

  • 8 years ago
    I agree, landscaping would serve this house much better than white paint! If nothing else, consider brick dye rather than paint.
  • 8 years ago

    Sorry. Afraid I have to agree with Chloe and Bri. Why take a maintenance-free brick and turn it into a surface you'll have to repaint? The only time I recommend painting brick is when it's ugly. Yours is pretty.


    Limb up your trees so you can see the house, remove the shutters, and tend to the lawn. That's all this house needs.

  • 8 years ago
    I think that the contrast of the porch will work better as is than trying to paint or whitewash it to match the body of the house. Take this in steps, and try what folks are suggesting to work on first—the tree trimming, landscaping, and shutter removal. Once that’s done, post another picture.
  • 8 years ago
    I wouldn’t paint the brick. Definitely just needs professional landscaping.
  • 8 years ago
    Thanks for the input so far! I should have clarified. We are working with a landscape designer to completely redo the landscaping. We are also removing the shutters, possibly replacing them with much larger “Z” style shutters. I am attaching a newer picture which shows our new door as well. I am very interested in alternatives to paint, maybe limewash as someone recommended? But my husband is not a fan of this brick color.
  • 8 years ago
    Have you had the house power washed? That may lighten the color.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Lucia, it's nice to know you're doing the landscaping. One thing to consider is painting the brick can sometimes devalue the home. Some brick is bad enough to need paint...not yours.

    Regarding the shutters, each shutter needs to be half the window's width (you might already know this). That applies to both decorative and functional shutters. Not possible on your larger, lower windows. Even if it was, it would look odd.

  • 8 years ago

    I like the darker mullions. Glad you got rid of the ivy; it's a menace! I am against painting the brick. Instead of a stark white trim, think of rich cream which can really warm up the brick color. The leaders on your gutter seem small and in the wrong place - right by the front door. You might want to upgrade the system.

  • 8 years ago

    Painting that will completely ruin it. That’s a remuddle thst will lose you thousands in value. Learn to love what you have, and live lightly. Don’t destroy it.

  • 8 years ago
    I am going to do something with the brick, so if you prefer that I keep it the same color please don’t weigh in . I would, however, love alternatives to paint that would lighten the brick. Here is a house that used glass block mortar and I love it:
  • 8 years ago
    (There was supposed to be a smily emoticon, meaning “kindly”. Thanks!)
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    If you're determined to change the color, a lime wash or German schmear will result in a far better outcome than paint considering your home's "style". Your inspiration photo shows a home in a more modern style, very different than your traditional home. Putting spots on a lion will not change it into a leopard...not snarky, just true.

  • 8 years ago
    I would NOT change the color of your brick ! The brick is beautiful ..the shudders should be white ! And you can use some landscaping ...but THAT IS ALL! What a beautiful house !
  • 8 years ago
    Oh ...just looking at the door ...make it white too while you are at it .
  • PRO
    8 years ago

    If you don’t care about lowering the value of your house then paint the brick. Remove the shutters they make no sense , remove some of the trees so you can actually see the house . No painting the brick on the ground will not work The new front door is much better and those garage doors painted a color that blends with the brick would be a huge improvement. There are no shutters that work on those windows just forget shutters.

  • 7 years ago

    I love white brick. Post photos of what you decided


  • 4 years ago

    Lucia, I found your post as I'm trying to decide if I should mortar wash my red brick patio or not. Haha. Would love to see a picture of what you decided to do with your home!!