Give Your Brickwork a Glow-Up – Renew, Don’t Replace

Exterior brickwork puts up with a lot – rain, sun, frost (and, the odd football if you’ve got kids!) so it’s no wonder it can start to look a little tired. A fresh coat of paint is a simple way to modernise your home’s exterior, give it some personality, and protect the brick for years to come.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through everything you need to repaint exterior brickwork confidently – and I’ll share the products I recommend from our Masonry Paint collection that’ll help you get the best finish possible.

Why Repaint Brickwork?

There’s nothing wrong with leaving your brick as it is, but sometimes a coat of paint is just what it needs to feel fresh and up-to-date again. Here’s why I love this project:

It transforms the whole look of your home without touching the structure
You get long-term protection from water, algae and frost damage
You can personalise your space with a colour that reflects your style
And let’s be honest… it’s much cheaper than rendering or cladding

My Go-To Masonry Paints – And Why I Recommend Them

Whether you're freshening up your garden walls or completely transforming your home's exterior, choosing the right masonry paint makes all the difference. There are loads of masonry paints out there, but here are the ones I come back to again and again – for quality, ease of use, and reliable results.

Zinsser AllWeather Masonry Paint

This one’s perfect if you're painting in less-than-perfect weather and your house is regularly blasted by the elements! It’s showerproof in just 20 minutes and can be used even when it’s as cold as -5°C — ideal for those unpredictable British days! AllWeather is a pliolite based masonry which is a resin which helps to give the paint flexibility to withstand the weather conditions and helps to avoid blistering, flaking and cracking whilst also providing long term protection (usually around 15 years!)...It's even been used to paint lighthouses so you know its good stuff!

It’s self-priming, and its pliolite base means it adheres to most surfaces making it a great option for an easy project! It’s also super breathable and a beautiful flat matt finish. Once mould is treated, two coats are all you need for years of protection.

Pliolite base makes it suitable for most surfaces
Has excellent colour retention
Can be colour matched to any shade!

Leyland Trade Truguard Smooth Masonry Paint

A brilliant all-rounder that gives a smooth finish and protects from dirt, pollution and weathering and it's easy on your pocket! It’s easy to apply, dries quickly, its water based and can be tinted to thousands of colours.
Great if you want solid performance and a great colour match without a hefty price tag.

Ideal for most exterior surfaces
Shower proof in 30 mins
Anti-carbonation for extra durability

Johnstone’s Stormshield Smooth Masonry Paint

This one’s all about durability and protection. It resists grime, rain, pollution, and fading – perfect if your home is exposed to the elements. Plus, it’s available in over 1500 colours and touch dry in 20 minutes.

15 years of protection
Water-based & easy to apply
Great for busy roadsides or high-exposure areas

Looking for More Options?

It’s DCO – so you know we’re going to have choice! My go-to recommendations above are the ones I use most often for their colour matching flexibility and ease of use, but we only stock high-quality, trade-trusted paints. So if you're still browsing, here are a few more worth a look:

Sandtex Trade High Cover – Great opacity and weather resistance. A solid choice if you want up to 15 years’ protection in classic colours.

Sandtex Microseal Smooth Masonry – Microporous, breathable and mould-resistant – ideal for damp or exposed areas.

Dulux Weathershield Smooth Masonry – Packed with anti-fade tech, quick drying, and colour matchable.

Armstead Trade Smooth Masonry – Budget-friendly but reliable with anti-carbonation and long-lasting coverage.

Farrow & Ball Exterior Masonry – For a high-end look in their full shade range. Flat matt finish with great breathability.

Step-by-Step: How To Repaint Exterior Brickwork

1. Give It a Clean
First up, a proper clean. Remove dust, dirt, moss, algae – anything that’ll stop your paint from sticking. A stiff brush and some warm soapy water works a treat, or for anything more stubborn, try a fungicidal wash like Sandtex Fungicidal Wash, Bartoline Fungicidal Wash Spray or Zinsser Universal Degreaser. Let the brickwork dry fully before moving on (brick can hold onto moisture longer than you’d think!).

2. Fill & Repair
Check for cracks or missing mortar and use a suitable masonry filler to patch these up. If it’s chalky or flaking, consider a stabilising solution like Granocryl Stabilising Solution or Sandtex Trade Quick Dry Stabilising Solution. These products will ensure the best adhesion of masonry paints on your exterior wall.

3. Prime (if needed)
If you’re painting bare brick, porous areas, or previously unpainted surfaces, a primer helps your paint adhere properly and last longer. Go for Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or an alkali-resisting primer if the brick is new or high pH.

4. Time to Paint
Use a masonry roller – I’d recommend the Axus Contour 18 Roller Sleeve or the Captain Chunk 9" Masonry Roller Sleeve - Extra Extra Long Pile for the larger areas and a masonry brush – the ProDec Masonry Brush is great for getting into the mortar lines. Two coats are usually enough, just follow the drying times on your paint tin and watch the weather – dry, mild conditions are best.

A Few Quick Tips Before You Start

Before you dive in, here are a few extra tips I always keep in mind when tackling a brickwork job – they’ll save you time and help you get the best finish possible.

Check the weather – make sure it’s dry and above 8°C while your paint is drying

Use exterior-rated tape and dust sheets – Q1 Blue Painter's Masking Tape or Masq Ultimate Painters Tape Red is perfect for this, especially on windows or stonework

Work in sections – especially if you’re tackling a large area, it helps keep things neat and manageable

Always stir your paint – sounds obvious, but trust me, it makes a big difference!

Ready To Go?

If your brickwork’s looking a little tired, this could be just the project to bring it back to life. With the right prep and paint, you can give it a completely new lease of life – no bricks removed, no huge costs, just a fresh look that’ll last for years.

Not sure which paint’s right for your wall? Or wondering if your brick needs a primer? Just drop me a message — I’m always happy to help you figure it out. Sometimes a quick chat makes all the difference! You can reach out via WhatsApp or email, and don’t forget to tag us in your finished project. We love seeing the before and afters on our socials – Facebook, Instagram or TikTok.

Helen x