Exterior brick home painting - everything homeowners need to know before getting their brick home painted

If you own a brick home in Charlotte, you’ve probably noticed something: brick that once looked rich and timeless can start to look faded, dingy, or just plain outdated. Whether your home was built in Dilworth, SouthPark, Myers Park, or any of Charlotte’s classic neighborhoods, painted brick has become one of the most popular ways to refresh a home’s curb appeal — and add real value to your property. But painting exterior brick isn’t quite the same as painting wood siding or stucco. Done right, it transforms a home. Done wrong, it can lead to moisture problems, peeling, and expensive repairs. At Glenny’s Painting, we’ve helped many Charlotte homeowners navigate this process from start to finish. This guide covers everything you need to know before you paint — and why hiring the right professional makes all the difference.

Exterior brick home painting – pros and cons for Charlotte homeowners

Painting brick is a long-term commitment. Unlike painted wood, brick absorbs paint deeply — and once it’s painted, reversing the process is difficult and costly. That’s why it’s important to weigh the decision carefully before picking up a brush or calling a painting company.

Benefits of painting exterior brick

There are several benefits associated with having your Charlotte brick home painted including:

Dramatically improves curb appeal and modernizes older homes;
Allows you to unify mismatched brick colors or cover staining and discoloration;
Increase home resale value — especially in competitive Charlotte neighborhoods;
Provides an additional layer of protection against the elements when applied correctly;
Gives you full color freedom to match your personal style or neighborhood aesthetic.

Drawbacks to consider

Paint on brick is essentially permanent — stripping it later is labor-intensive and expensive;
Painted brick requires repainting every 5 to 10 years to maintain its appearance;
Improper application can trap moisture inside the brick, leading to damage over time;
Low-quality paint or poor prep work results in flaking, cracking, and a messy finish;

For many Charlotte homeowners, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks — especially when the job is done by an experienced local painting company like Glenny’s Painting that understands the region’s climate and the unique challenges of working with brick. See some of our recent work.

How Charlotte’s climate affects exterior brick home painting

Charlotte’s climate sits in a unique sweet spot — warm, humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s, and winters that bring occasional freezing temperatures and moisture. This combination has a direct impact on how exterior brick should be painted and what products should be used.
Brick is a porous material. It absorbs water and then releases it through a process called “vapor transmission.” In Charlotte’s humid summers, brick regularly takes on moisture from rain and humidity. If that moisture gets trapped beneath a coat of paint that isn’t breathable, it can cause the paint to bubble, peel, and ultimately fail — and in severe cases, it can damage the brick itself.

This is why professional painters who specialize in brick use products specifically formulated for masonry — paints and primers that allow moisture vapor to escape while still protecting the surface from the outside. At Glenny’s Painting, every exterior brick project in Charlotte is planned with the local climate in mind, using the right products for the right conditions.

Our process for painting exterior brick the right way

The difference between a paint job that lasts a decade and one that starts failing within a year almost always comes down to preparation. Here’s how Glenny’s Painting approaches every exterior brick project in the Charlotte area:

1. Thorough inspection and assessment

Before any prep work begins, the entire surface is inspected for cracks, chips, spalling, efflorescence (white mineral deposits), and signs of moisture damage. Any structural issues are identified and addressed before painting. This step is critical — painting over damaged or compromised brick seals in problems rather than solving them.

2. Cleaning and pressure washing

All brick surfaces are thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, mold, mildew, algae, and any existing loose paint. In Charlotte, homes can accumulate significant biological growth due to the humid climate, and this must be removed completely before painting. The brick is then allowed to dry for at least 24 to 48 hours. Painting over damp brick is one of the most common causes of early paint failure.

3. Repairing cracks and mortar joints

Cracks in the brick or mortar joints are filled and repaired using appropriate masonry caulk or mortar compound. Damaged mortar joints can allow water infiltration, which undermines both the structure and the paint. Proper tuckpointing and crack repair at this stage extends the life of the finished paint job significantly.

4. Priming with a masonry-specific primer

This is the step most DIY projects skip — and it’s often the reason DIY brick painting jobs fail. A high-quality masonry primer seals the porous surface, promotes adhesion, and creates a uniform base for the topcoat. For brick homes in Charlotte, we use breathable, vapor-permeable primers that allow moisture to move through the wall while still providing excellent adhesion and sealing.

5. Applying the paint

Brick requires more paint than smooth surfaces — and the application technique matters. Thick-nap rollers and brushes are used to work paint into the pores and texture of the brick surface. Two full coats of high-quality exterior masonry paint are applied, with adequate drying time in between. We only use paints rated for masonry and exterior use, with built-in mildew resistance — an essential feature for Charlotte’s climate.

6. Final inspection and cleanup

Once painting is complete, the entire surface is inspected for missed spots, uneven coverage, or areas that need touch-ups. All masking, tarps, and protective coverings are removed, and the property is left clean and ready for you to enjoy.

Choosing the right paint color for your Charlotte brick home

Color selection is one of the most exciting parts of the process — and one of the most important decisions you’ll make. The right color can completely transform your home’s appearance and significantly boost curb appeal. The wrong color can look out of place or date quickly.

In Charlotte, classic neutral tones remain consistently popular: whites, warm creams, soft grays, and greiges (gray-beige blends) tend to complement both traditional and modern architectural styles. Deep charcoals and soft blacks are trending for homeowners looking for a bold, contemporary look, particularly in neighborhoods like Plaza Midwood and NoDa where character and style are a priority.

A few tips for choosing the right color:

Always test paint samples on the actual brick surface before committing — brick absorbs color differently than drywall swatches;
Observe how the color looks at different times of day, as Charlotte’s afternoon light is particularly bright;
Consider your roof color, landscaping, and neighboring homes to ensure cohesion;
Lighter colors tend to make homes appear larger and brighter; darker colors can add drama and definition.

Glenny’s Painting offers color consultation as part of our service, helping Charlotte homeowners select a color that they’ll love for years to come.

Why DIY brick painting often falls short

With so many tutorial videos and DIY articles online, it can be tempting to tackle exterior brick painting yourself. And while some homeowners do successfully paint their own brick, the reality is that brick is an unforgiving surface — and mistakes are both visible and difficult to fix. Common DIY pitfalls include skipping the primer (which leads to peeling within a year or two), using the wrong type of paint (interior paints or non-masonry paints), painting over brick that hasn’t fully dried after rain, and not applying enough coats for adequate coverage. The result is often a paint job that looks uneven, starts failing quickly, and ultimately costs more to fix than hiring a professional would have cost in the first place.

Professional painters bring the right tools, products, and experience to ensure the job is done correctly — and typically offer a warranty on their work. At Glenny’s Painting, we stand behind every project we complete in the Charlotte area.

How much does it cost to paint exterior brick in Charlotte?

Cost is always a key consideration, and it’s one of the most common questions we hear from Charlotte homeowners. The cost of painting exterior brick varies based on several factors:

The size of your home and total square footage of brick surface area;
The current condition of the brick (more prep work means higher cost);
The number of coats required and the type of paint selected;
Accessibility — two-story and multi-story homes require additional equipment;
Whether repairs such as crack filling or mortar repair are needed.

For most Charlotte-area homes, exterior brick painting projects range from a few thousand dollars for smaller single-story homes to significantly more for larger two-story properties with extensive prep needs. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to have a professional walk the property and assess the specific scope of work.

Glenny’s Painting provides free, no-obligation estimates for all exterior painting projects in Charlotte and the surrounding areas. Our estimates are detailed and transparent — no hidden fees, no surprise charges.
Maintaining Your Painted Brick Home in Charlotte

Once your brick is painted, a little routine maintenance goes a long way toward preserving its appearance and extending the life of the paint job. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Inspect annually for cracks, chips, or peeling, particularly after harsh weather or freezing temperatures;
Gently wash the painted surface every year or two to remove dirt, pollen, and mildew — Charlotte’s climate promotes organic growth;
Touch up any small chips or cracks promptly before moisture gets underneath the paint;
Plan for a fresh topcoat every 7 to 10 years, depending on your home’s exposure and the quality of the original paint job.

Homes on the south and west sides of Charlotte, where sun exposure is particularly intense, may need repainting on the more exposed surfaces sooner than shaded areas. A local professional like Glenny’s Painting understands these regional nuances and can advise on the right maintenance schedule for your specific home.

Why Charlotte homeowners choose Glenny’s Painting

At Glenny’s Painting, we’re proud to be a local Charlotte painting company with deep roots in this community. We’re not a national franchise or a fly-by-night crew — we’re your neighbors, and we treat every home we work on with the care and craftsmanship we’d want applied to our own.

We specialize in exterior painting projects across Charlotte and the surrounding areas, including Ballantyne, Matthews, Huntersville, Concord, Belmont, and beyond. Our team is fully licensed, insured, and trained on the latest best practices for exterior masonry painting. We use premium paints and materials and back our work with a satisfaction guarantee.

If you’re considering painting the exterior brick on your Charlotte home, the first step is a free consultation with our team. We’ll walk your property, answer all your questions, and provide a detailed quote at no cost to you. Don’t trust your home’s curb appeal to just anyone. Work with a Charlotte painting company that knows brick, knows the local climate, and knows how to deliver results that last.
Contact Glenny’s Painting today to schedule your free estimate. We serve Charlotte and surrounding communities throughout the greater Charlotte metro area. Let’s make your home the standout on the street.