Bare brick doesn't need painting
Unpainted facing brick is designed to be left as it is. It weathers naturally and needs very little maintenance beyond occasional repointing. If your brick house has never been painted, think carefully before painting it: once painted, it needs repainting regularly for the rest of its life, and removing paint from brick is difficult and expensive.
Painting brick can also trap moisture in older walls, leading to damp and spalling (the brick face flaking off). In conservation areas, painting previously unpainted brick may need planning permission.
How often each part needs repainting
Even if your walls are bare brick, the rest of the exterior needs regular attention:
| Surface | Typical interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Painted brick walls | 7 – 12 years | Breathable paint lasts better |
| Timber windows and sills | 5 – 7 years | South-facing windows sooner |
| Fascias, soffits, bargeboards | 5 – 8 years | uPVC needs cleaning, not painting |
| Front door | 4 – 6 years | Often sooner for appearance |
| Metal railings and gates | 4 – 7 years | Treat rust early |
Typical repainting intervals for a brick house
Signs it's time to repaint
Rather than going by the calendar, look at the condition of the paint. Signs that a repaint is due include:
- Flaking, peeling or blistering paint
- Chalkiness – a powdery residue when you rub the surface
- Bare timber showing on windows and sills
- Cracked putty or gaps around glazing
- Fading and discolouration
- Algae or mould growth that won't wash off
Rather leave it to a professional?
Why timber needs regular attention
Paint on timber isn't just decoration – it keeps water out. Once paint cracks and peels, water gets into the wood, which can lead to rot. Repainting windows before the paint fails completely is far cheaper than repairing or replacing rotten timber. Our guide to painting windows and front doors explains good preparation.
Painted brick: what to use
If your brick is already painted, use a masonry paint suited to the wall. Older, solid brick walls benefit from a breathable mineral paint. If the existing paint is failing badly, it may need to be removed rather than painted over. See our guide to breathable paints for old homes.
Planning a repaint
Exterior painting is best done in dry, mild weather – typically late spring to early autumn. Good painters book up early, so get quotes in the winter or early spring. Our guide to the best time of year to paint the exterior of a house explains why. When you're ready, compare quotes from local exterior painters.
