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krystal_boutwell

Limewash/Paint Brick?

Hello! We are working on making exterior improvements to our 50-year old house. Next up, we need to decide to either leave the brick alone (it has been professionally cleaned and is still stained,) limewash the brick with Romabio (sample in last picture here,) or paint the brick with Romabio masonry flat or lime slurry. I am leaning towards the Romabio masonry flat in a custom color to match the Sherwin Williams alabaster used on all else so as to make the home look more cohesive. What do you think? I appreciate all suggestions! (Landscaping up next!)




Comments (18)

  • last year

    What caused the staining? Will it show up again on painted brick? Sprinklers, lack of gutters, other source of stains?

  • last year

    Yep, need to fix the cause of the staining as it will stain again regardless of what you do to it.

  • last year

    Thank you. We have fixed the source of staining. It was from the sprinklers (water well) hitting the house. This was fixed after we purchased the house.


  • last year

    I'd paint the siding a color that goes better with the brick. You have a lovely, warm brick and cool, greenish white for the rest. A warm white would be much better.

  • last year

    Thank you, Sigrid. We just had the home painted last week. It is Sherwin Williams Alabaster which is a warm white. We are northwest facing. The color changes throughout the day depending on the time of day and weather. It's overcast today. As you see, the white even looks different on the front verses the side (facing northeast) right now but is the same color. My iPhone photos probably aren't the best either!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I also think it's the White siding that is not cohesive. I would paint over the Alabaster. Go for a more muted color. I would not paint the brick. Beautiful home.

  • last year

    Thanks for info, good that the staining cause has been addressed.


    If you want a consistent look, making the brick look as much like the siding and trim as possible, choose the flat paint. Limewashing will look more aged and informal.


    Once you are finished getting the new brick paint, you could use another accent color for the trim, perhaps in a year or two after you get used to the bright white SW Alabaster.

  • last year

    Oops didn't realize you had just painted.

  • last year

    We have fixed the source of staining. It was from the sprinklers (water well) hitting the house.

    There is a very good chance that the stain will bleed thru whatever coating you put on the house and end up looking worse than if you had left things alone.

  • PRO
    last year

    The alabaster seems too stark. I'm not recommending these colors, or just doing a few parts as I've shown, just showing something darker. If you choose to do something to the brick, I would not match the alabaster, but choose something to complement it.

    At a minimum, I would paint the fascia a darker color.




  • last year

    Oh no, I didn't know the stains would bleed through possibly. The painters did not mention it. Thank you.

  • PRO
    last year

    Agree entirely with @PPF. The white completely takes over the houser and is too stark a contrast. I like the sage green he posted. You could also go with a dark taupe color.

  • last year

    " There is a very good chance that the stain will bleed thru whatever coating you put on the house and end up looking worse than if you had left things alone. "


    Exactly what I was getting at. I would leave the brick. Many times the cure is worse than the disease.

  • PRO
    last year

    I like the limewash versus a solid color. I don’t love the all white but what’s done is done.

  • last year

    Thank you for all the comments. These are very helpful. Before painting the alabaster, we had a grey/taupe on the stucco and trim. It was drab, and we were wanting a fresh look. It was difficult for me to choose a color because I didn't think the stucco would look great in a lot of colors that the siding would. I would agree that the alabaster came out too white despite my research and sampling. I am not opposed to painting it again. I just want to get it all right before we move on from this stage.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I agree with the others, leave the brick alone, and repaint the white. I also like the sage green for a color, even though green isnt my favorite color, it seems to be right for your house. Also, I see samples painted directly on the brick. Please try to get that removed, and do not ever paint samples directly on brick. Paint your samples on poster paper and move them around the house with the light changes, never on interior walls either, but, especially on brick, or stone.

  • last year

    The stains will not bleed through if the house is properly prepped. You’ve already had it cleaned, so the right kind of primer will keep the stains from bleeding through. Unless you use Romabio lime wash, which isn’t permanent. It will be lovely!!🙂

  • last year

    Given the texture difference, matching the brick to the siding isn't going to happen. Imagine the color changing with the light, but it changes differently depending on the material. So how you get cohesiveness is by painting a color the compliments, works with, and other wise looks good with the brick.