How to Simulate Brick With Stucco: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Realistic Brick Look

Making a simple brick template will speed up the process later on, so this is a good place to start. Simply cut a piece of 2-by-4 or plywood to match the side profile of a brick. The standard brick dimensions are 8 inches long by 2-1/4 inches tall.

Before you start applying your stucco, your first step will be to clean and prep the surface. If you’re simulating brick with stucco on an interior wall, give it a light wash and let it dry completely.

For exterior walls, use a power washer to remove dirt, algae, mold, and loose pieces of siding if you’re applying the new stucco over existing stucco. Make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work with, and hire a professional who works with stucco to help you repair your siding if there are cracks, leaks, or other physical damages. It’s a good idea to apply a binding agent over the wall before continuing. Wait for the wall to dry completely.

Mix some base coat stucco according to the manufacturer’s directions, and then apply it to your wall using your finishing trowel. Aim to get an even coat that’s 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick. Smooth it out immediately using a “green” hand float. Some imperfections will give your faux brick wall character, but avoid waviness or unevenness as best you can.

Let the base coat sit until it’s dry to the touch but not completely set. If you can just barely make an indent with your finger, you’re ready to move on.

Mix a batch of finishing stucco according to the directions on the bag. Add dye to create a natural brick color, if desired.

Apply the finishing coat and aim to get a uniform thickness of between 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch. The thicker the coat, the deeper the mortar joints will appear once you’re finished. Before the finishing coat sets, give it some texture with your soft-bristle brush, if desired. This will create a more natural, “imperfect” look for your stucco texture.

Wait for the finishing coat to become dry to the touch. Again, if it takes some effort to make an indent with your finger, you have a good consistency to move on.

Use a tape measure to mark out the horizontal faux mortar lines on one edge of your wall. Use your brick jointer to scrape off just enough of the finishing coat to reveal the different color base coat underneath. The base coat will appear as your mortar lines.

Use a long level to transfer those marks across the length of the wall. Use the brick jointer along the top of the level to make sure the faux mortar lines are spaced properly.

With your horizontal lines in place, you can now create the vertical lines to finish the illusion. Hold your brick template up to the finish coat and scrape a vertical line to create the faux mortar joint. Apply just enough pressure to reveal the different color base coat underneath. Scrape in from the top and in from the bottom for each joint to avoid dragging the finishing coat beyond the edge of the faux brick.

Continue along your wall horizontally, and then offset the end of the next row by half of your template to achieve the staggered appearance of laid bricks.

Wait for the stucco to dry completely, which takes 24 to 72 hours, depending on the humidity and coat thickness.

Stucco and brick siding can look remarkably similar, especially if you get a bit creative to customize the look. Consider using watered-down mixtures of exterior paint to “weather” the brick. You can also use a sponge to paint the faux brick or a brush to paint the mortar lines.