Painted Brick Modernized My Masonry

Guest Blogger, Sarah Fortune

Buying our mid-century ranch home just over four years ago, we knew there would be changes that we would want to make: paint the bedrooms to make it feel more like us, change the light fixtures, update that 1980s renovated kitchen, revamp the landscape. But there was one item on my list I knew I wanted, but felt that it was such a big jump for something cosmetic: I really wanted a painted brick exterior. Having a house built in the late 1960s, it had been updated over the years inside, but like so many homes from that era, it was still behind the times outside.

With just the first coat, I was amazed by the instant transformation.

Fast-forward four years and we finally decided to take the leap. Pulling the trigger on painting the brick wasn’t a decision we made lightly though. “Would it last? Is it worth it? What if we don’t pick the right color?” So many questions swirled in my head, but ultimately I realized that every evening when I returned home from work, I would think about how much I loved my home, but always in the back of my mind was the thought of how it would be even better with the painted brick that I love so much. I just couldn’t shake it, so we decided to go for it and partnered with the true pros, CertaPro Painters®.

I am not that great at visualizing what things will look like, so choosing a color that I knew we would love long-term felt like a daunting task. Thankfully, CertaPro Painters® of Fayetteville, AR matched us with a Color Consultant from Sherwin-Williams. Not only did they come to us to see our house and neighborhood, but they listened to our thoughts, looked at styles we liked, and then guided us to some options that fit the look we wanted. I am severely indecisive, but with the Color Consultant’s help we had our three shades picked out in under an hour. We also were recommended Sherwin-Williams’ Loxon XP for the brick, which is ideal for paint that you really want to hold-up, especially in harsh weather conditions.

Having no second thoughts, the painters were scheduled and they got started with the prep right away. With just the first coat, I was amazed by the instant transformation. Getting text updates from the crew during the day helped with my excitement, as I couldn’t wait to see the progress every evening. By the end of the project, our home went from your typical older brick house to a home that looked refreshed, bright, and welcoming. I can’t even tell you how many compliments we have received from neighbors and friends about how much much of a transformation it is.

My only regret? Waiting so long. Looking back, I can hardly remember what it looked like before and now when I pull into my driveway, I think about how much I love my home – and my painted brick.