60’s red brick house - should I paint?

Discussion in 'Styling & Decorating' started by John R, 3rd Jan, 2022.

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Should brick be painted?

  1. Yes

    41.7%
  2. No

    58.3%
  1. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    Hi all,

    I’m the lucky owner of a 60’s red brick veneer home - applause or boo now…..

    I often thought what could be done to pretty it up and rendering usually came to mind but it’s pricey and I think it can make a property look a bit bland.

    I was driving along and saw this property that appears to have had the brick painted. I think it looks good but I know that painted brick can also look a bit tacky - lipstick on a pig.

    Would it turn prospective buyers off? Once the paints on, it’s on for good.

    Not precious about it and would appreciate your honest thoughts!
     

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  2. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I quite like painted brick, as long as it is the right house to "wear" it well.
     
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  3. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    Not sure if it is true, but I have heard that painted brick cannot be rendered in the future?
     
  4. Propin

    Propin Well-Known Member

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    No there is ways around it! A couple of streets away from me the owners of a property painted their brick house then put it on the market. The new owners are painters. Shortly after purchase they rendered and painted it.

    Edit- They used chicken wire 20 years ago, I wonder if they have better products now but someone had success in this link! Cement render over painted brick
     
    Last edited: 3rd Jan, 2022
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  5. samiam

    samiam Well-Known Member

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    Congrats! What’s your plan? If you are going to live there for more than 5 years, and if you hate it, render and paint it - your home do it for you - don’t worry about future buyers
     
  6. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the replies. It’s an investment that I’ve had for a long while. I’ve put a granny flat on the back that has a similar colour scheme to the pic in the original post.

    It’s not a property I’d be keeping forever and when I do sell I would like to make it as appealing to buyers as possible.
     
    Last edited: 3rd Jan, 2022
  7. willair

    willair Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    That' a good looking property,and the way that is set up no-one would break-in--brickwork still level ..
    I would just leave the external the way it is as you would have to re-set the flat also..
     
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  8. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    If it is a rental, I'd leave it and make a decision when it comes time to think about selling.
     
  9. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    Agreed @wylie. I like to plan ahead instead of rushing like mad last minute and making bad judgment calls.
     
  10. Pumpkin

    Pumpkin Well-Known Member

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    Hubby & I vow we'd never ever paint over bricks; He's done that with his house (internal) with yellow colour probably 20-years ago. Hedious!

    However, recently one of our Neighbours have theirs painted dark gret/charcoal, and it looks really nice. I suppose because it blends in with the cement.
    Also they did some some of wooden cladding. looks good really.

    Rendering to me is very difficult: had seen many poor rendering jobs and it's off-putting. Also once rendered, you will have to re-paint every 5to10 years.....
     
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  11. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    @Pumpkin, this is what it looked liked before hand. I think it really is an improvement.
     

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  12. jaybean

    jaybean Well-Known Member

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    Painted brick can look good, as long as you've accounted for the 10-20k in damp course injection costs (depending on the state of it).

    Remember; bricks are porous and need to breathe. It the moisture doesn't (nay, can't) come out the exterior, it'll come through the interior.

    I just spent $8k on a new damp course cause the previous owner/s painted the bricks. Sigh.
     
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  13. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    Thanks @jaybean, I’ve worked in property maintenance for years and should have thought of that! I’m aware of it for sandstone etc didn’t think of bricks - DOH! I guess it would depend on the state of the damp course (If there is any).

    Thanks again for the info, I’ll have to think twice around if I’ll paint or not.
     
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  14. vbplease

    vbplease Well-Known Member

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    I'm with Pumpkin, painting can turn out quite well.. see 3 bird reno tips
    IT'S A KIND OF MAGIC: OUR SPRAYING BRICK RENO HACK — THREE BIRDS RENOVATIONS

    But rendering is a big no-no.. in my opinion it looks horrendous and has ongoing maintenance problems.
     
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  15. jaybean

    jaybean Well-Known Member

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    Yeah just need to assess the state of it. Need to get someone out with one of those dampness metres, if it's pretty dry then you're good to go. If not...then you could be up for some pain.

    Nothing worse than dealing with mould, bubbling paint, attracting termites and all that crap.
     
  16. John R

    John R Well-Known Member

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    Yep, it’s pretty dry as I’ve been under the subfloor and checked it out. A few years after I bought the property the tenants were complaining of a water leak that was escaping under the subfloor. Turns out it was raw sewrage - drainage was never installed correct. That was not a nice experience!

    I’ll get the moisture of the brick above the DPC checked and then good too go!

    Thanks the info @jaybean
     
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  17. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I wouldn't have even thought of this problem.

    I wonder if using something like lime wash would allow the bricks to breathe? Would it look ok?
     
  18. jaybean

    jaybean Well-Known Member

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    Sorry not sure.

    I've had so much conflicting information.

    One guy said to strip all the paint off and repaint the first metre or so with breathable paint, and the top part with a regular acrylic external paint.

    Others have said not to bother since I have a new damp course and I should just paint over the old paint.

    Not really sure what to do! I will be repainting mine in about 6 months so I'm also interested to know what the right solution is.
     
  19. Paul@PAS

    Paul@PAS Tax, Accounting + SMSF + All things Property Tax Business Plus Member

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    This is why you dont apply "paint" to bricks unless you are a mug. A two step system like Taubmans Armawall may be more effective. First layer is a waterproof membrane and undercoat to adhere. A lovely pale blue colour. Top layer is a elastic tough tinted membrane not a thin paint. Various versions to suit various needs and surfaces. Three step if its a extisting surface needing surface level prep OR Choose Moroka for 2 stepped bagged look on a flush brick or block wall. Applied by mitt. Aftre 16 years our house looks like it was painted yesterday. I had to repair a rear wall near a former pool due to eflouresence and it now is back to new. Paint storewarned NEVER use Moroka without membrane. This is why specialist paints arent sold by Bunnings. People go cheap and get it wrong.

    https://taubmans-com-au.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/20210204150628219-20210127152656816-RET2128 Armawall brochure_Digital Book_compressed.pdf
     
    Last edited: 7th Jan, 2022
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  20. Travelbug

    Travelbug Well-Known Member

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    Personally I think painted brick looks cheap.
    This is our former PPOR. Rendered. Rockcote. Never had to touch it after it was done.
    upload_2022-1-7_15-23-22.jpeg
    upload_2022-1-7_15-23-37.jpeg
     
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