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Why HGTV's Chip Gaines Doesn't Want You To Paint Your Brick Exterior
By MARCO ROSSI
Although HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines have updated many houses by changing their exterior colors, Chip particularly cautions against painting older, artisan-crafted brick.
In an episode of "Fixer Upper: Welcome Home," the couple renovated the 1964 ranch house of their employee John, who wanted to change its reddish tone and liked painted brick.
However, the Gainses advised him against it. Chip stated that antique brick holds significant value and character, and painting it would be a "disservice" to its unique appearance.
Another concern is the irreversibility of the process. "The biggest issue is that we can't undo it," Joanna explained. "[W]e can't power wash it and get the brick back."
Additionally, painting brick can lead to structural damage. Brick is a porous material that absorbs water, and paint acts as a non-breathable layer, trapping moisture inside.
This trapped moisture can freeze and expand in cold temperatures, causing the brick to break or crumble over time. To prevent that, consider using limewash or milk paint instead.