Updated October 2026
The short version
Brick painting in Naperville, IL starts with one decision: limewash or paint. Limewash soaks into unpainted brick and wears softly over time; masonry and mineral paints cover completely and are the only option for brick that has been painted before. Either way, the brick is washed and repaired first, and the work runs from late April into October.
Why brick needs a coating that breathes
Brick and mortar absorb water and release it as vapor. A coating that traps that moisture, like ordinary acrylic house paint on unprepared brick, eventually blisters and peels as water pushes out from behind. That is why brick gets either limewash, which is mineral and soaks in, or masonry and mineral paints designed to let vapor pass through.
Prep is the same either way: the brick is washed, loose mortar is repointed, efflorescence is cleaned off and the wall is left to dry. Limewash then goes on in thin coats onto dampened brick; paint goes on over a masonry primer. Windows, trim and plants are protected throughout.
Limewash, mineral paint or masonry paint
| Coating | How it looks | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Limewash | Soft, chalky, brick texture shows | Only on unpainted brick; weathers gently instead of peeling |
| Mineral (silicate) paint | Flat, solid color, very matte | Bonds with the masonry; breathable; needs unpainted or compatible surfaces |
| Masonry acrylic paint | Solid color, slight sheen | Works over previously painted brick; needs good prep |
What moves the price of brick painting and limewash
Brick work is priced by wall area, with repairs and prep listed separately.
- Brick area and the number of stories
- Repointing loose or missing mortar
- Efflorescence and stains to clean
- Limewash coats for the look you want
- Previously painted brick that is peeling
Limewash on Unpainted Brick
Limewash is slaked lime and water with mineral pigment. We dampen the brick so the limewash does not dry too fast, brush it on in thin coats and work it into the mortar joints. Where you want more brick to show, part of it can be wiped back while wet. It dries chalky and slightly uneven, which is the look people want, and over the years it wears softly rather than peeling, so touching it up is simple. A hidden test patch comes first so you approve the depth of color.
Masonry and Mineral Paints
When you want a solid color rather than a washed look, we use paints made for masonry. Mineral or silicate paints bond with unpainted brick and stay very breathable, with a flat, stone-like finish. Masonry acrylics work where brick has been painted before. Either way, the brick is primed as the product requires, and two coats are brushed and rolled into the texture and joints so no red shows through. Colors are tested on a hidden section first. Mortar joints are brushed by hand where a roller cannot reach.
Repainting Painted Brick
Painted brick that is peeling usually failed because moisture was trapped behind the paint. We scrape and wash off loose paint, check for the cause, such as gutters dumping water on the wall or mortar letting it in, and fix that first where we can. Then the brick is primed with a masonry primer and repainted with a breathable masonry paint. Limewash is no longer an option on painted brick, but a well-chosen paint color can look just as soft.
Brick work around the Chicago-area season
Limewash on unpainted brick can outlast film-forming exterior paint, and it can only go on brick that has never been painted, so the choice is usually made once. Both limewash and masonry paint need mild days to cure, and the National Weather Service puts the typical first fall freeze for most of the Chicago area between about October 11 and 20, so brick work fills the late spring to early fall window.
How we limewash or paint brick
- 1
Test patch
Color and coverage tested on a hidden section.
- 2
Wash and repair
Brick cleaned, loose mortar repointed, wall dried.
- 3
Protect
Windows, trim, plants and walks covered.
- 4
Apply
Limewash on dampened brick, or primer and two coats of paint.
- 5
Review
We walk the wall with you in daylight.
Signs painted brick needs attention
Paint blistering or peeling
Moisture is trapped behind the coating.
White powder on the brick
Efflorescence means water is moving through the wall.
Crumbling mortar joints
Joints need repointing before any coating.
Green staining near the ground
The wall is staying wet; drainage needs a look.