When wanting to update the appearance of their house, homeowners often start thinking about cleaning up and changing the color of their bricks. They’ll quickly learn that there are two ways to go about this:
- Stain the bricks
- Paint the bricks
It may not seem like a big difference, but once you learn more about these methods, you’ll quickly discover that painting bricks requires more work and can actually damage the bricks and the house.
Brick staining is an increasingly popular solution for homeowners wanting to update the look of their homes without sacrificing durability. Not only can it improve the appearance of the bricks, but it can also protect and maintain them – which allows them to do a better job of protecting the rest of the house.
Masonry stains, unlike paint, do not block the evaporation process and provide longevity that simply cannot be matched by paint.
So what’s the lifespan of brick stain? How long does brick stain last? Let’s dive into the differences between painted masonry and stained brick to learn more about why masonry stain is vastly superior to paint.
How Long Does Brick Painting Last?
When making the decision between brick stain vs paint, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Paint is tempting because it gives the impression of an easier application process. However, pain coats brick surfaces and ends up requiring regular maintenance. This Continued maintenance of painted masonry is an ongoing issue for many homeowners, and it makes it a significantly more resource-draining method when considered overall.
Once the brick is painted, most masonry professionals agree that it will most likely have to be repainted in as little as just a few years. The Brick Industry Association, a trade association devoted specifically to the clay brick industry, reports that painted masonry may only last between three to five years.
To make things worse, it alters the surface of the brick. When the paint is applied to brick, the paint saturates the masonry’s pores, preventing it from releasing moisture. Water is trapped behind a non-permeable film that lies on the brick surface – resulting in unsightly blistering and peeling. Some masonry professionals believe that paint applied to masonry will begin to slowly deteriorate as soon as it adheres to the brick.
How Long Does External Brick Stain Last?
So paint can chip, peel, and blister starting very quickly, but how long does brick stain last? Stain penetrates brick surfaces and is permanent and maintenance-free. Our exclusive brick stains are absorbed by masonry and allow the surface to continue breathing naturally as if it was unstained. As brick is a highly porous material, our masonry stains are formulated to create a chemical bond with brick and will never chip or flake due to moisture trapped within the masonry.
While paint can update the appearance of your home, consider the continued and laborious maintenance that comes with it. Our proprietary brick stains integrate with the face of masonry, resulting in a consistent finish that is permanent, looks entirely natural, and is maintenance-free.
BrickImaging is proud to have earned a coveted endorsement by the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute.
The association stated,
“We at the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute are happy to recommend your staining services to clients with a color matching problem in brick, block, mortar, or concrete. Masonry walls are intended to last a long time and we have faith that your stain will last a long time, too. We have recommended your work many times in the past with excellent results. We will continue to tell people with masonry color matching problems about your service
Is Brick Staining Permanent?
The next frequently asked question we get about brick staining is, is brick staining permanent? Let’s clarify. in the sense of “does brick stain fade?” – no! We have a 15-year warranty on our Stayntech process, but there are buildings we did 30 years ago that still look great!
On the other hand, you may be concerned that you’ll never be able to change the color once the brick is stained. Well, we have good news. Brick is able to have the color changed multiple times with staining – even from darker to lighter.
Brick Stain vs Paint
So, how long does brick stain last? Much longer than paint, and it has many other benefits! Stain is clearly the superior choice when wanting to bring new life to your home or building by changing the brick appearance.
While you consider paint vs. brick stain, do not hesitate to contact us to learn more about our masonry stains as well as to discuss details about your latest home improvement project.
