Brick Painting in Montreal

Give Your Facade A New Life

Exterior Brick Painting

The Golden Rule: Brick Must Be Able to Breathe

Before we get to aesthetics, it’s essential to understand a fundamental technical reality: brick is a porous material that naturally absorbs and releases moisture. This is called vapor permeability — and it’s what allows your home to “breathe.”

If you apply a waterproof paint to brick — such as certain oil-based paints, epoxy products, or ill-suited elastomeric coatings — you create a sealed film that traps moisture inside the masonry. The result: during Quebec’s typical freeze-thaw cycles, that moisture expands, causing the paint to blister, peel, and eventually come away taking chunks of brick with it.

At Peintres Prestige, we use only products specifically designed for brick: water-based, micro-porous acrylic paints that allow water vapor to pass through while protecting the surface from the elements and dirt. It’s the only responsible and lasting approach.

Our Brick Painting Process

Step 1 — Masonry Inspection

We begin with a thorough inspection of the entire facade. We assess the condition of the mortar joints (is repointing needed?), check for structural cracks, look for efflorescence (white calcareous deposits), and evaluate the overall state of the brick. If masonry repairs are required, we inform you before proceeding.

Step 2 — Efflorescence Treatment

Efflorescence — those white powdery deposits that appear on brick — is caused by mineral salts migrating from within the masonry. If painted over without prior treatment, they continue to migrate and cause premature peeling. We remove them chemically, then rinse thoroughly.

Step 3 — Pressure Washing

A pressure wash is performed on the entire facade to remove dirt, algae, mold, and any organic contaminants. Pressure is carefully calibrated: strong enough to clean effectively, but not so aggressive as to damage the existing mortar joints.

Step 4 — Complete Drying

Brick must be completely dry before any paint is applied. We observe a minimum drying period of 48 to 72 hours depending on weather conditions. Painting over damp brick guarantees poor adhesion and premature peeling.

Step 5 — Specialized Primer Application

We apply a penetrating primer designed for masonry, which works into the brick’s pores to create a solid, uniform bonding base for the topcoat.

Step 6 — Final Paint Application

We apply two coats of premium micro-porous acrylic paint (Benjamin Moore Masonry Sealer or equivalent). The first coat is absorbed deep into the brick; the second creates the surface protection and delivers the desired visual uniformity.

The Aesthetic Transformation: Possibilities & Trends

One of the most exciting aspects of brick painting is the sheer range of transformation possibilities. Some popular color combinations in Montreal:

• Red brick → Off-white: bright, modern, highly sought-after in NDG and Westmount
• Beige brick → Charcoal grey: sophisticated, contemporary, ideal for upscale neighborhoods
• Orange brick → Greige (grey-beige): warm, timeless, perfect for Plateau triplexes
• Brown brick → Matte black: bold, architectural, trending in hip urban neighborhoods

Our team can advise you on colors based on your neighborhood, your home’s orientation, and current Montreal real estate market trends.

Brick Painting, A Permanent Decision – Plan Carefully

It’s important to understand that once brick is painted, reversing the decision is extremely difficult and costly. This is a choice that deserves careful thought. At Peintres Prestige, we guide you through this decision by offering visual simulations of your facade in different colors before any work begins.