Hello Carol,
Actually, painting weathered, historic brick is one of the best ways to SAVE an historic structure. Where I used to practice, in Orlando, that was one of the most accepted means of preserving those old buildings. Otherwise, water and in a colder climate, ice can get through the cracked brick and flaking mortar, tearing the wall apart. So, from my personal experience, I would disagree with the folks in your neck of the woods.
If you want to paint new brick, there's really no reason why shouldn't be able to do so, as long as the bricks are fully cured, along with the mortar, and bone dry. I would suggest that you contact Benjamin Moore or other quality paint manufacturer and ask to speak to someone in their technical department for counsel on the best primer and finish coats for brick. They absolutely can and do manufacture paint for this purpose.
Now then, if you want to get philosophical, one might ask why you want to paint a material that is supposed to not require paint? However, contrary to popular opinion, you should certainly seal the brick (but not with silicones, those can result in bricks blowing right off the wall). Prosoco has breathable products that do a great job for that purpose; they really know what they are doing.
Best of luck.
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Rand Soellner
Architect/Owner/Principal
Home Architects
Cashiers NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-13-2013 10:03
From: Carol De Tine
Subject: Painting Brick
This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Custom Residential Architects Network .
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Greetings all,
Does anyone working in a cold climate have details and/or a spec for a new brick building wall with a painted finish? The Brick Institute says don't do it. Masons say the paint won't stay on. I am designing a new house in a historic neighborhood in Portland, Maine. There are several painted brick houses around (one owner stripped the paint from their rowhouse and the historic board made them re-paint) so it's an appropriate response. We love the idea of a nice clean white-painted brick wall. The material speaks to the neighborhood and will help the modern elements fit.
But - I don't want to be dumb.
Opinions pro and con welcome. Thank you!
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Carol De Tine AIA
Principal
Carriage House Studio Architects, LLC
Portland ME
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