Project Modern Farmhouse: Exterior Paint
So this is an exterior paint job that almost didn't happen...in fact, it was actually one of our "Ooops!" moments. We went back and forth on whether or not we wanted to paint the brick and how we could use the funds in other places of the renovation. Deep down, we had always wanted to paint the brick. But as your costs in the renovation keep adding up, you start taking a good hard look at your dreams versus realities.
One reality that hit us hard was the cost of replacing the roof (luckily insurance helped out some with this), replacing all of the siding, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we had a termite problem pop-up in the middle of replacing the back patio doors. The termite treatment was definitely something we had not worked into our budget.
As you can see from the post of the before and afters in Project Modern Farmhouse: Landscaping & Tree Trimming, the landscaping and tree trimming costs were a MUST in our budget. So after the landscaping, new french doors to the back patio, new roof, and new HardiePlank siding to replace the completely rotted out wood siding, the below picture is what we were working with.
And you know what? That's still a cute house. We knew we were adding more landscaping, and the grass had started turning green since we started watering. We were completely satisfied with the product so far.
In fact, the painters we had scheduled were non-responsive to our calls and emails, and they didn't show up on the day they were scheduled to paint (they didn't even show up within a 2-week window of when they were supposed to paint). At the time this picture was taken in the morning, I knew it was in the forecast to rain the next day, so I called one last time that morning and left a voicemail with the painting company to cancel the exterior paint job.
Boy did we get the shock of our life when I took my parents over that SAME afternoon to show them the progress on the interior of the house!
Keep in mind, this is the primer coat. So, it. looked. bad. My parents (who aren't fans of painted brick in the first place) were in a panic. They didn't know we were considering painting the brick, so some of that's on me. I had to explain the whole situation I detailed above to them. So yeah, we had that surprise expense come up, too. Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing. It ended up being a great design move for us and a major signal from the streetscape that this house had definitely been updated. We did scramble a bit trying to find shutters that would help break up the white color, and it also was also the major driving force for going for the bright green ligustrum bushes. But in the end, I think this was probably the best decision (even though it was kind of made for us) on this project. One change I might have made had we known the painters were going to show up, is painting the trim a different color to provide a little "pop" of color, but I think the shutters ended up being enough and you still have the option of adding planter boxes to the windows. We also were able to paint that small section of gutters on the front a color, as well, since it was included in the service of adding gutters. So that little bit definitely helped, too.
DIY or hire out?
Clearly we did not DIY on the exterior paint job. Can you? Sure. Should you? For most people, probably not. We are included in that "most people" category.
Done poorly, an exterior paint job can peel, flake, or present an uneven finish. By using a professional crew, you can insure that the surface will be properly cleaned, prepped, primed, and sealed for a long lasting durable finish.
This entire process is heavily weather dependent, and having a crew of 6-10 highly skilled and experienced painters ensures that all surfaces are painted at the same time and can dry evenly. Drying times can vary based on humidity and temperature, so consult with a competent professional before embarking on this process. Before any paint goes on the house, you need to ensure that you have a clean and dry surface. This is accomplished by power washing the decades of dirt and grime on your exterior brick. Some people may complete this step and be happy with the result, revealing the brick's original character. After allowing the water to dry from the power washing, it is important to get an even layer of primer put on every surface you wish to paint. After the primer dries from 1-2 days, the house is ready for paint. Consult with a professional to see how many coats your home may need. If you're going with a lighter color like white, you may be able to accomplish the job with just a coat of primer and one coat of paint. Our house only required one coat of primer and one coat of paint. However, darker colors may require additional coats.
Keep in mind, painted brick is a long term commitment. The brick facade will need to be repainted every 3-7 years, depending on sun exposure, moisture, and the type of paint you used.
Shop the look
Click through the links below for the exact products we used.
-Shutters (in black)
-House Numbers
-Exterior Light Fixtures
-Landscape Lighting
-Step Lighting
-Welcome Mat
Color Selections:
Brick and Siding: BEHR, Swiss Coffee
Gutters: Sherwin Williams, Urbane Bronze
Front Door: Black