Brick Painting
Brick Painting in Vancouver, BC
Painting brick is permanent — once it's coated, you're committed to repainting it for the rest of the building's life. Done right with the correct breathable masonry system, it transforms a tired house. Done wrong with regular wall paint, it traps moisture and the brick spalls. We use only breathable mineral or elastomeric masonry coatings rated for Vancouver's wet climate.
Brick is porous and constantly moves moisture. Coat it with a non-breathable acrylic and water trapped inside the brick freezes in winter, cracks the face, and the paint flakes off in sheets — a common failure across older Vancouver homes that have been DIY-painted. We always specify a vapour-permeable masonry primer and a breathable mineral or elastomeric topcoat, so moisture passes through the coating instead of pushing it off.
Prep is the longest part of any brick project. Surfaces are pressure washed or hand-cleaned to remove efflorescence (white salt deposits), loose mortar, dirt and biological growth. Any failed mortar joints are tuckpointed and given 28 days to cure before any paint goes on. Hairline cracks are filled with a flexible masonry caulk so they won't telegraph through the finish.
Limewashing is a popular alternative we also offer — a thin, mineral-based finish that softens the brick colour while letting the texture and natural variation show through. It's particularly suited to character homes in Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano and Strathcona where a flat painted look would feel wrong.
- Interior fireplace surrounds and exterior brick facades
- Pressure washed or hand-cleaned to remove efflorescence
- Mortar repaired and tuckpointed where needed
- Breathable masonry primer — no moisture trapping
- Mineral, elastomeric or limewash finish options
- Vapour-permeable system — brick continues to breathe
Our Process
How we deliver brick projects
On-site assessment
We grade the brick condition, identify mortar issues, and recommend the right coating system.
Clean & repair
Pressure washed or hand-cleaned, efflorescence removed, mortar tuckpointed and cured.
Breathable primer
Vapour-permeable masonry primer applied to lock surfaces and provide a uniform base.
Two coats masonry topcoat
Mineral, elastomeric or limewash finish brushed and rolled into the texture for full coverage.
Walkthrough & warranty
Project walked through, touch-ups completed, written workmanship warranty issued.
Built for Vancouver homes & weather
Vancouver's wet winters are unusually punishing on coated brick. Freeze-thaw cycles drive moisture in and out of the masonry constantly, and the wrong coating system fails within 1–2 winters. We've watched countless DIY brick paint jobs flake off and have to be stripped — we use systems built specifically for this climate.
Brick painting questions, answered
How much does brick painting cost in Vancouver?
Exterior brick painting typically runs $4–$8 per sq ft depending on prep level, mortar repair and coating choice; interior fireplace surrounds usually $400–$1,200. Free written quotes after on-site visit.
Should I paint my brick?
Honest answer: only if you really want to. Painting brick is permanent and adds maintenance for life. If you want a softer look without committing fully, ask us about limewashing as an alternative.
Why does painted brick peel?
Almost always because a non-breathable coating was used. Brick has to move moisture; trap it and the paint pops off. We only use vapour-permeable masonry systems built for this.
What is limewashing?
A thin, mineral-based finish that softens the brick colour while letting the texture show through. Breathable, traditional, particularly suited to character Vancouver homes.
How long will a painted brick exterior last?
A properly prepped and primed brick repaint with the right breathable system typically holds 10–15 years in Vancouver before maintenance is needed.
Is your work guaranteed?
Yes — every brick painting project is backed by our written workmanship warranty against premature peeling, spalling and finish failure due to application.
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