Get matched with top masons in Seal Rock, OR

If you want to make your home eco-friendly, enjoy low maintenance, and love the fact that its looks will take people’s breath away (and not because they were trying to blow your house down), then a modern brick home is right for you. You can hire a mason to get the building process started for your brick home.

But if you’re not fond of the color and don’t want to deal with the process of repointing or other repairs, consider going with vinyl or wood. These materials offer a lower cost. While they tend to require more maintenance, they don’t cost nearly the same as exterior brick house repair.

While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.

Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.

Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.

Real stone is exactly what it sounds like: It’s real stone sourced from the earth without additives. It is durable and unique, but it’s difficult to work with because of its weight, challenge in sourcing, and high cost. Stone veneer mimics the look of real stone but is actually engineered with a mixture of Portland cement, natural minerals, and a colorant. While it’s more affordable and easier to work with, it’s less durable and may appear manufactured to the trained eye.

Yes. Black stains are more than an eyesore. Some black stains can pose health concerns, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. Some stains can also damage the brick’s structural integrity, harming the mortar and resulting in more expensive repairs.