Are there painted brick houses in Madison? (buying, contractor)

[KileyK]

We are searching for a home for our move to Madison. There is one that we like but we hate the very-dated exterior brick. So I'd consider buying the house if I could paint it as brick is often painted on houses in the South. Do they do that up there or does that make it a maintenance nightmare with your winters?

[Megan1967]

People do it, but I would assume it is a maintenance nightmare as you suggested. Funny how people have different perceptions, I see an older brick home and think, "quality."

[ranger17]

i agree, not sure one would want to paint brick. Actually i dont recall (except perhaps for some very old homes) seeing many brick homes painted where we were in SC.
OP, is the brick just in need possibly of a good pressure wash to freshen it up? Or is it just a color/style you were not fond of?

[bler144]

As I understand, the big issue with painting brick isn't maintenance (at least any more than paint on wood is), but that once you do it's very hard to strip without damaging the brick.

In short: there's no easily going back. And of course you'd want to look at whether the siding was brick-brick or just brick-veneer.

[Megan1967]

Oh, I just re-read your post because of bler144's reply. Are you talking about a 1970 ranch with brick veneer on the lower half of the front? If that is the case, yes, I can see why you think it is unattractive. Because it is veneer, however, you can just remove it and replace it with whatever material is used on the rest of the house - either vinyl or wood siding.

This is actually going to be a better plan than painting the brick as you wouldn't be getting the same effect as the houses you are referring to in the South. It will still look cheap painted.

[KileyK]

It's a yellow and brown speckled brick only on the front (not sides and back) of a 1960s colonial house. I assume it's real brick and not a veneer but I am not sure. I am sure that's it's ugly and that it would blend better if it were painted the same color as the sides and back. But I have looked on Zillow and haven't been able to find any painted brick houses. You seem to have painted stucco and a flat-looking masonry that I have seen painted. So maybe weather isn't a big concern on maintenance?

[timberline742]

Painting real brick = a tragedy

Brick houses are lovely and a sign of quality.

[USAGeorge]

Look at the tax code..Some places a brick home is assessed higher on the tax roll..If painted they were not considered a brick exterior......I believe NYC had such a system in place years ago.

[KileyK]

Wait, what? If I paint a brick house then I pay less in property taxes?? If it was that easy, I'd expect to see a lot of painted brick houses.

[Megan1967]

I highly doubt that painting your brick house will lower your taxes. It is still brick underneath.

If it is a 1960's house, I am pretty sure it would still be a veneer, but you'd have to get a home inspector or contractor to confirm this.

Typically, I agree with Timberline742 about brick houses. I was raised in a 1928 Georgian 4-square brick home and it was a beautiful house. What they did with brick veneer in the 1960's and 70's, however, I consider just plain ugly, especially when they didn't even do the whole house in the same material.

Honestly, as I think about it, even if it is veneer, it would still probably cost you an arm and a leg to remove it and replace it with siding. I don't think you are going to be happy with the brick painted either. I wouldn't be at least. Is this house really that special otherwise?