BRICK STAIN: PROS, CONS, AND COSTS OF BRICK STAINING

While building their homes, most homeowners’ prefer brick. Brick is not only aesthetically beautiful and pleasing but it is also reliable and durable. These qualities make them a popular choice while constructing homes and buildings. People prefer them over stone, vinyl, and stucco siding.

The Pantheon in Rome, Italy as well as the Alhambra Moorish Palace in Spain are both the oldest and most popular tourist attractions that are made up of bricks. In addition to these centuries old monuments, the Castle of Good Hope and Bromley Hall are also brick made and are still standing after 500 years. But, this doesn’t mean that these bricks don’t need proper care. Over a span of time and lack of care, bricks deteriorate. So, how should you protect your home’s walls?

Don’t worry, brick stain is what you really need to shatter this fear. It not only gives a new color to your home’s exterior but also adds life to bricks. There is no need to see the same old color bricks. So, let’s see how brick stain opens new horizons for everyone with its pros, cons, and costs.

Pros of Brick Stain

On a superficial level, people think that brick stain’s biggest advantage is its aesthetic appearance. Though this is correct, it hides a lot of other benefits like those mentioned below.

Semi-transparent & Aesthetic Appearance

Brick stain looks appealing on home’s exterior and is also a good option to bring freshness to your old walls. It doesn’t look bad as the stain is semi-transparent; it doesn’t overshadow the real look and aesthetics of bricks like brick painting does.

Fire & Weather Resistant

Bricks are fire and weather resistant because of their formation from clay. Bricks can withstand temperatures up to 1200°C. Similarly, brick stains are also resistant to fire and weather. The mineral pigments used in the formation of brick stains are bonded to brick thus the stain does not burn or melt down.

When it comes to weather resistance, brick stains withstand harsh weather conditions like snow, rain, and UV radiation. So, it’s better to use it in areas prone to wildfire or extreme weather.

Note: In case of damage or cracks in bricks on roofs and walls, you will experience water leaks and many other potential problems. So, before staining remember to repair skylight leaks in roof to prevent leaking.

Protective Barrier

Brick stain protects the bricks from a number of things. It prevents water damage, mold and mildew growth, UV radiation damage, and staining from dirt and grime. It also prevents cracking and chipping of bricks.

Color Availability

When it comes to availability, brick stain is available in wide variety of colors. You can get it in both traditional and modern shades. So, this vast availability helps you to match it with any architectural style or personal preference. Even some brands also offer custom color matching services.

Fast & Easier Application

Staining bricks is a fast process that is easier to apply than other options. As the odor is not harsh, you can use it inside or outside the home without clearing out the area. You can pick any season to stain your bricks, just remember that the day must be sunny and dry. If you want more quicker application, then use a spraying method instead of brushing the stain on.

Budget Friendly

If you look at the price, brick staining might be costly. However, after paying the high price, it will bring a number of benefits like a beautiful and elegant appearance. It will also add a new look to your home, with little or no maintenance than other available options. So, it might be expensive at start but it is a good investment in the long run.

Flexibility

Brick staining offers flexibility in various ways like the color options. You can choose any color and lighten, darken or completely revamp your Brick appearance. If you want more of a unique look, it allows you to use multiple stains on a single brick. Moreover, it also helps you to stain only one portion of wall, like the front facade of your home or a single accent wall.

Maintenance

Brick staining demands less maintenance thus, once you apply stain it will last for many years and doesn’t demand reapplying again and again. It remains there for longer period because the stain penetrates the brick itself, rather than simply sitting on the surface like paint. That’s why it is less likely to chip, peel, or fade over time.

Breathable

Brick has pores through which it allows air and also moisture to pass through. This will affect bricks’ health as it prevents building up of moisture and causing damage. When you apply stain on bricks it doesn’t seal the pores like paint does. Instead it is breathable and allows air to pass through and prevent mold and mildew growth.

Durability

If you properly care for your brick stain and the climate of your area is favorable, then it will last for longer years. Brick staining is durable and you may see it fading after 7 to 10 years. However, if you maintain it properly then its life may extend up to 20 years.

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Cons of Brick Stain

Like everything, brick stain also comes with some cons, like

• If your bricks have paint or non porous sealant coating, it’s impossible to use brick stain. If your bricks are not penetrable then good absorbent can’t get the stain effectively. Thus, the stain will wash away easily.
• If your walls or roof has damaged or cracked bricks, you need to replace them first. Stain doesn’t set well on such bricks and if you apply on a damaged area, then that damage will still be visible. 
• It’s a lengthy process and takes time with proper attention. You can’t skip any point. Remember to clean all the bricks before staining.
• As DIYing, brick stain is challenging for homeowners. Brick stains demand many layers of careful coating before the final finish. So it’s better to hire a professional to do it properly if you have zero knowledge or confidence about it.
• Once you stain your brick, it’s impossible to reverse process without replacing the bricks. So, you have to make sure before that you’re 100% sure you want to stain your brick.

Cost of Brick Stain

The prices vary when it comes to cost of brick stain. The change depends upon your choice of process either DIY or professional, your home size, and your brickwork condition. On average, the price lies between $1200 to $10,000. And as per square foot, it will cost you $1 to $4.

Cost Breakdown of Brick Stain

Brick staining by professionals costs a lot of money, however if you pick DIYing, the price can still be costly. Let’s see how.

Material

When it comes to material, the prices are high as you move from small area staining to a complete home’s exterior. If you have smaller task, this can costs you between $10 to $20. Per gallon, you have to pay $30 to $60 and 5 gallon bucket costs you $130 to $170.

Tools

While DIYing, you have to keep in mind the tools’ cost. Brick stain requires some basic tools, and if you don’t have them, you need to buy them. For example, the sprayers cost you $100 more. While caulks, brushes, drop clothes, buckets, sandpaper, masking tape, ladders, and scrapers cost you more money. So, you have to remember to add $200 to $300 more money to your estimated budget.

Labor

If you have decided to hire professionals for brick staining, then remember that it costs you a lot of money. At an average, the labor cost is $40 to $80 per hour.

Thus, on average if you hire contractors or professionals, you get amazing work but you have to pay a lot of money. If you do it yourself, overall cost is cut to 50% of the previous cost.

Things That Impact Brick Stain Cost

There are several factors that directly affect price of exterior brick staining jobs.

• Large bungalow will cost you less than a two or three-story house. For example, the former will cost you $ 1,500 to $ 4,000, while the latter price is between $3,000 and $7,000.
• The condition of your bricks also matters a lot. If your bricks are in good condition, with no mold, debris, cracks or damage the cost will be less. Otherwise, you have to hire professionals to either clean the bricks or repair the damaged ones before starting brick stain.
• Brand and color of your brick stain also play a major role in increasing or decreasing prices.
• If you are going to brick stain your multi-story house, you need scaffolding and for that you need a permit. It will also increase the cost from $100 to $300.
• If you pick a more advanced and easy method like spraying stain on brick, be ready to pay more. Thus, if you brick stain a 2,000 square foot area, the cost will go up from $ 1,000 to $ 2,000 due to spraying.
• The area you live in also plays a crucial role in deciding the cost of brick stain. See the table below to get an average idea.
• New York cost $2 to $5
• San Francisco cost $2 to $4.50
• Seattle cost $1.75 to $4
• Los Angeles cost $1.50 to $4
• Philadelphia cost $1.25 to $3.75
• Phoenix cost $1 to $3.50
• Chicago cost $1 to $3.50
• Houston cost $1 to $3

Just remember that these prices are just an average cost, the exact amount depends upon your required area, brick condition, house type, brand you choose, and the company you hire.

How to Stain Brick

Before starting to stain brick, you have to collect the required equipment like a drop cloth, paintbrush, roller, tape, waster, and of course stain. Remember to pick a stain color which should be lighter than the one you have chosen.

• Before staining, cleaning bricks is important. You can use wire brush or pressure washer for it. You have to remove dirt, grime, or efflorescence from bricks and let them dry entirely.
• Whether you half stain a brick or complete wall, preparation is necessary. So take painter’s tape and put it down to mask off any areas that you do not want to stain, like trim, windows, and doors. Moreover, you have to lay down a drop cloth thus to prevent stain spills on the ground.
• Next is mixing of stains which you can do by following the manufacturer’s instructions. If your stain is too thick, you can make it thin by adding water.
• Now, it’s time to use a roller or paint brush for staining. Start working in small sections, apply thin coats of it carefully and evenly and avoid over applying because of drips and runs.
• Let the stain dry after each coat. You need multiple coatings that’s why we suggest thin coats of a light shade stain.
• After layering and drying stains, just remove painter’s tape.
• For quick work, you can use a paint sprayer to apply stain.
• For finest work in large area, it’s better to hire some professionals.
• it is not a sealant, so you have to apply a clear sealant over the stain to protect it from elements.

Conclusion

Brick stain is a great way to add life to your dull looking bricks or home’s exterior. It not only brings color to your home, brick stain is durable, low maintenance, as well as fire and weather resistant. Overall it is a great thing you can do for your home’s exterior appearance.

For any repairs, installations, builds, or questions; We recommend you to hire a professional. Find A Pro Near You Here!