Brick has been around for hundreds of years which makes it one of the most timeless materials around. 

Think about it – a lot of the oldest buildings in the world, usually made with some sort of masonry, are still standing today. The Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town has lasted an impressive 343 years, and Bromley Hall in London, a whopping 537 years old. Talk about some serious durability.

But who says you can’t add more modern charm to these ancient building blocks? With new color and life, brick staining can give a much-needed facelift to your home or office building.

But how does it work? Is this a DIY project you can take on? What is brick staining? 

We have all the answers.

Can You Stain Brick Yourself?

If you’re looking for a way to give your masonry a new look, staining your brick house (NOT PAINTING) can bring new life to brick siding and fireplaces. 

Stain will enhance the masonry texture and color but won’t completely hide brick’s natural characteristics.
Depending on what your end goal is aesthetically speaking, staining brick could be the perfect way to increase value and prolong the life of your brick house.

What Is the Best Stain For Brick?

Since its creation in the 1970s, Stayntech® has become well-known as an exceptional brick staining product. BrickImaging crafted these proprietary stains with 12 exclusive colors and custom requests available. 

Stayntech® is designed specifically for brick, block, stone, and mortar surfaces and guarantees no bubbling, chipping, or peeling. Over decades of accelerated testing and real-time results from brick staining projects has repeatedly proven Stayntech® to be unparalleled in durability and reliability – making it one of the industry’s most sought-after products.

What Goes Into Staining Brick (The Process)?

We know DIY projects can be incredibly rewarding (and cost-effective), but when it comes to staining brick, we wouldn’t suggest attempting this by yourself without professional help – it’s important to understand the basics of staining brick houses (and buildings, in general).

Ensure your brick is absorbent enough to take the stain

Some brickwork has a water sealant on it that will prevent the stain from absorbing into the brick and staying on. 

Make sure your bricks will hold the stain by pouring water on the bricks. If the water is absorbed by the brick, then the brick will stain.

Clean the brick

Brick can be tricky to clean, due to its composition. Having a porous surface makes cleaning brick difficult due to seemingly wanting to absorb dirt and random debris.

To ensure the best results, start by using a hose to spray your brick from top to bottom; this will remove any small pieces of debris such as moss or dirt that may be stuck in place. For any sections of the brick that remain stubbornly dirty, use a brush to get them clean. The most important thing is to always work from top-to-bottom to prevent dirt from sliding back onto parts you’ve already cleaned.

Test the color before using it

If you’re staining brick, you should absolutely test the color before using it. 

Finding the perfect shade of stain for your brick project is important and fortunately, there are many resources available to help you along. 

When we’re staining brick, we allow customers to sample the colors by staining bricks and allowing them to dry. This step provides an opportunity to see exactly how the stain will look when finished, ensuring that you love and are happy with the final look of your project.
Finding an inconspicuous area such as behind some bushes or a hidden section is ideal for this purpose. That way, regardless of the outcome, it will not be visible from afar and you can perfect your work without having to worry about imperfections being highly visible.

Prepare the area and yourself

Before you begin any staining project, it is essential to adequately prepare the area and yourself. Put on gloves and eye protection before handling any materials and make sure you have tools dedicated solely to this project that won’t be used for anything else. 

Additionally, lay down tarp or some form of plastic sheeting in order to safeguard against splatters and spills. By taking these precautionary steps in advance, you will save yourself time and energy in the long run as well as protect against irreparable messes—ensuring your project turns out just as planned.

Stay updated on the weather

Before you get started, carefully examine the weather forecast to ensure you have plenty of time for the stain to absorb into your brick. Rain and high wind can disturb the drying process, causing an uneven finish and reduced durability. 

At the same time, be mindful of reaching temperatures beyond what is recommended on your stain package. Not only may it affect the way your masonry looks, but the longevity of your project as well. 

While a little preparation might take more time upfront, this small step will pay off in ensuring successful results and lasting satisfaction with your work.

Applying the stain

Staining brick walls requires technique, with the right tools and approach you’ll be able to get the desired effect. 

When using a brush to apply stain, always use it across the length of the brick and avoid getting any on the mortar joints in between bricks. This will ensure the contrast between colors remains visible after staining. 

Try not to apply the stain in straight lines from end to end as this could create a less natural result; instead brush on randomly from section to section for subtle color changes that blend better together. 

Keep a wet rag or brush handy in case any spills occur.

How Long Does Brick Stain Last?

When done correctly, the life expectancy of the staining on your bricks can last about 20-30 years. 

This unequivocally demonstrates the lasting power of this option, more so than painting. As such, it’s imperative that users do their research beforehand and ensure that they use the best products for their individual needs.

BrickImaging takes pride in providing solutions for brick staining that will last through the years. With decades of experience in the trade, our exclusive Stayntech® brick stains are applied professionally to ensure a well-absorbed, consistent finish that looks natural and provides an exceedingly durable seal. 

Is Brick Stain Better Than Paint?

Primary differences between masonry stain and paint include breathability, aesthetic appeal and durability. 

BrickImaging does not recommend painting masonry, especially exterior brick. 

While paint can quickly change the color of masonry, structural integrity as well as longevity are greatly compromised. 

Paint coats brick with a thick, impenetrable membrane that blocks masonry’s natural release of moisture and humidity, resulting in blistering and peeling within just a few years. The Brick Industry Association recently reported that paint applied to masonry may only last between three and five years. 

Stayntech® brick stains, on the other hand, saturate masonry pores and are breathable, look natural and do not block the evaporation process of brick. 

BrickImaging is proud to offer a 15-year warranty on all of its brick staining projects against bubbling and flaking—providing a peace of mind that can’t be matched with paint.

BrickImaging has been among the premier brick staining companies in the nation since its founding in 1976. 

If you would like to learn more about BrickImaging or our line of Stayntech® brick stains for your house or office building, do not hesitate to contact us.