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The Daily Insight

Can bricks be stained a different color

Author

Ava Robinson

Updated on May 01, 2026

Staining is a perfect way to maintain the natural brick look of a home. Different bricks can be stained in different shades to add variety.

How do you change the color of bricks?

Bricks can be either stained or painted. Paint often peels or chips and it lasts only a few years before you have to repaint the bricks. Stain is a longer-lasting solution to changing the color of the bricks.

Is it OK to stain brick?

Brick stain works best when applied to unsealed, clean, fully porous brick. It cannot be applied to painted brick. Brick stain itself does not protect the brick, though it is possible to purchase brick stain with protective additives.

How much does it cost to change the color of brick?

Brick Staining Cost Brick staining costs $0.70 to $1.90 per square foot. It’ll cost $1,100 to $3,000 for the average home with 1,580 square feet of exterior brick wall. For a 300 square foot area, you’ll pay $200 to $600.

Can you paint brick a different color?

Brick is already engineered to be a certain color. This is an important fact to keep in mind when you’re considering what color to paint it next. For example, some homeowners choose to only repaint trim or doors on the home; you’ll want those new colors to coordinate with the current color of the brick.

Can you stain red brick?

To update or change the look of exterior red brick walls, stain the brick with an iron oxide-based brick tint or penetrating masonry stain. … Because older red brick walls may be discolored from years of weathering or prior layers of masonry sealer, any new stain application may dry with some color variations.

Can you stain brick a lighter color?

Q: Can masonry be stained lighter, or just darker? A: Masonry can be stained lighter, darker, or any desired color.

Is concrete stain and brick stain the same?

Masonry stain works the same way wood stain does; by penetrating the surface of the brick, concrete, or stucco, and depositing pigment. Stain can be used to create a unique look; brick stain can be used to match new masonry to old- for example, on a new addition.

Can you stain bricks darker?

By darkening your bricks, you can make them look new again and hide the imperfections that have developed. There are two basic techniques for darkening brick: staining and painting. Staining is less invasive and looks more natural, but painting can give you better coverage if you have excessive imperfections.

Can paint be removed from exterior brick?

Paint can successfully be removed from brick exteriors provided the bricks were in good shape before they were painted. Unfortunately, proper paint removal is a tedious job.

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What kind of stain do you use on brick?

There are two basic kinds of brick stain: water-based and stain mixed with sealant. Water-based stain is better for larger areas because they let water pass through the bricks and breathe better. It avoids stuff getting trapped inside bricks and causing significant damage.

Does brick staining last?

The conservative estimate for the lifespan of brick stain is about 20 years. That’s a long time and underscores the importance of getting the stain done correctly. It’s going to be on there for a long time, so make sure you get it right. Newer brick stains claim they last the lifetime of the brick.

Can you spray stain on brick?

Paint will dry on the outside of the brick, covering it completely. … This is because brick is porous and will soak up the stain as it’s applied. For that reason, it’s best to apply a stain with a paint sprayer, though it is possible to do with a roller and brush. However, there are several benefits of staining brick.

Is it OK to paint brick?

Most brick was never intended to be painted,” says Crocker. … Brick that’s chipping, deteriorating, molding or in overall poor condition is always a bad candidate for paint. Paint blocks the natural pores in the brick’s surface, which can cause existing problems to become exaggerated over time.

Is it possible to lighten brick?

You can lighten bricks by eroding the surface or applying a coating, and sealed bricks are already primed for coating. If you apply a coating to unsealed brick, it’s quite difficult to remove it if you change your mind later.

How do I make my dark brick lighter?

For a subtle change, choose paint in the same color family as your brick, but go several shades lighter. Choose white, pale gray, or ivory for a greater effect. If your home doesn’t have a lot of decorative exterior trim, search flea markets for architectural salvage you can add.

Will bleach lighten brick?

Since bleach is powerful, it can damage your brick pavers. Using bleach to clean up your brick pavers should not be your first option since it can be problematic.

How do you make old brick look modern?

  1. Stain. If the color of the brick is your issue, staining is an option. …
  2. Paint. Painting brick has become incredibly popular these days, especially for brick fireplaces. …
  3. Whitewash. …
  4. German Schmear. …
  5. Final Thoughts.

How do I change the look of my red brick?

  1. Check for any needed repairs — if there are gaps in the joints, you’ll need to fill those in.
  2. Clean it thoroughly and let it dry for 24 hours. To clean the exterior, you’ll want a pressure washer.
  3. Apply latex primer, and let it dry for 24 hours.
  4. Pick your paint. …
  5. Paint!

How do you make bricks darker?

Paint a small area of brick in an inconspicuous test area. Let the stain dry and observe the color. To lighten the stain, add more water. To darken, add a second coat or select a darker stain.

How do you refinish bricks?

  1. Consider the condition of the brick. Sometimes the brick is nice, but the mortar is damaged and bleeding out. …
  2. Clean the brick. …
  3. Choose your color and paint. …
  4. Paint your brick using a tall nap roller.

Can you use concrete stain to stain bricks?

Our brand manager for Concrete Stain said the stain can be used on fireplace bricks. She suggests for the best results, apply it with a trigger spray, dry brush, sponge or stippling. Also consider applying a second accent color to provide additional visual interest.

How do you get painted bricks back to natural color?

Dip a sponge in water and wring it out. Dab the sponge in the marbled paint, then dab it on a paper towel to wipe most of the paint off the sponge. Lightly pat the sponge on some of the bricks in a random way to provide a more natural color variation.

How much does it cost to remove paint from brick house?

Vaughan said he generally charges around $20 to $22 a square foot to strip paint from a brick building, with about half of that going toward the scaffolding and plastic. (The cost rises for structures taller than four stories because the scaffolding is more expensive.)

Does WD 40 Remove paint brick?

Yes, WD-40 can remove paint from bricks. Spray WD-40 over the paint and wipe it off. Repeat if necessary, and use a hard brush to clean obstinate stains.

Can you paint yellow brick?

Painting your brick exterior can be a relatively easy fix for an uninspiring home and create major curb appeal. You can take an old orange or yellow brick that looks dated and create drama with a dark and moody color, or a go classic white for a crisp clean look.

What is the difference between painting and staining brick?

Essentially, unlike paint—which simply covers the wall and all its blemishes—stains act as dyes that keep the original appearance of the brick and only changes the color.

Can you remove paint from red brick?

If there’s still paint remaining on the brick, then spot treat with a paint remover or paint stripping gel. Then using a scrub brush with a back-and-forth motion, continue to scrub the brick to remove paint that has set deep into the pores of the brick.

Can you paint red brick?

Painting exterior brick can certainly be beneficial, but it’s also a task that comes with some important considerations. Painted brick is permanent. … The good news is that you can change the paint color as often as you’d like, so you don’t have to be married to one hue forever. Moisture can cause paint to chip.