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Yes, you can enlarge windows in a brick house. Your masonry contractor will need to cut away exterior brick to make space for the larger window, and you may also need to consult a structural engineer to make sure the window is properly supported inside the frame of the house.

If you want to avoid damaging your home's brick, you should always use a stain specifically formulated for masonry projects. These stains are designed to penetrate the porous surface of the brick and bond with it, unlike paints, which sit on the surface and are prone to peeling and flaking. Look for stains labeled for use on brick or other masonry surfaces. Avoid using regular paint on brick, as it will not adhere well and will likely lead to future maintenance issues. 

Modern brick homes have a brick facade over standard framing and sheathing, so the brick offers minimal added structural stability. A home with traditional brick construction is more durable than a stick-built home, as the double-layer brick walls and rebar resist higher lateral wind loads and support heavier loads up top, as well.

Most of the time, you don’t need to seal brickwork and can save that money for another area of home improvement. But if your brick is cracking or you live in an area with a lot of excess moisture (either in terms of rain or freezes), sealing can extend the lifetime of your home. But, make sure you use a breathable sealant, like siloxane, to allow the moisture to evaporate on its own.