Spring is around the corner (hooray!) and our team can’t wait to start working on exterior projects again. It’s been a long and cold Winter in St. Louis and we could all use some Vitamin D and warm weather. Spring is the perfect time to tackle exterior home improvement projects so that you can enjoy your outdoor spaces during the warmer months. When customers call inquiring about painting their homes exterior, we have found that many do not know about limewash. If your exterior has masonry surfaces like stone, brick, and concrete, limewash is an excellent option for transforming your curb appeal. Don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love recommending paint for exteriors too. However, once we educate customers on limewash and its benefits, we noticed that they are almost always intrigued and are blown away with the finished product. Take Steve, an awesome recent customer, for instance. In his customer testimonial video, he says “the job is amazing. It is exactly what I wanted” when speaking about the limewash project Better Painting had just finished on his home. Check out a few photos from Steve’s project below.
What exactly is limewash?
Remodelista, a home improvement website, explains its origin as an ancient house staple dating back to Roman times, limewash is made from limestone that’s been crushed, burned, and mixed with water to make a lime putty. The putty is aged and then thinned with water and colored with natural pigments. Limewash quickly became a popular way to lighten up timber and stone surfaces. Today, it is used in similar ways to create a romantic, old world feel while still providing a fresh, clean look. The best of both worlds if you ask us! Andrew Baker, owner of Better Painting, says that “limewash leaves such a unique look. Instead of completely covering up the brick, it allows the color variations in the brick to still show which gives the outdated brick a new life.”
So, what are the differences between paint and limewash?
- Limewash penetrates the brick instead of sitting on top of it, leading to no peeling and less maintenance over time. It also lets the brick breathe because of this!
- Limewash is thinner than paint and isn’t opaque, which leaves a beautiful variety of shades and colors.
- Limewash is hypoallergenic! Because of its high pH level, microorganisms can’t survive.
- Limewash is slightly flexible, making it a great choice for older homes and buildings. It handles natural movement well, which reduces the damage of cracks.
- Limewash is non-toxic and completely natural.
Our chosen product for limewash
For our limewash projects, we use Classico Limewash by Romabio Masonry Paints. Romabio’s Masonry Paints are BIO (bio-logical), made from nature. They are not acrylic or latex paints. They are mineral based products different than any other paints in the industry and are derived from sustainable materials to create a natural, breathable coating. This brand is consistent and has never let us down. Our customers love that we are using an environmentally friendly product on their homes.
before and after photos from another limewash project completed by Better Painting
Is paint or lime wash the better choice for you?
Both are great options for turning your brick a brighter, more modern looking white. It all depends on your goals and desired look for your home. If your vision for your home is ultra modern and you want to ensure the exact shade of white is achieved throughout, painting your brick is the better option. If you enjoy a more rustic, timeless look, limewash is probably the better option. One thing to note about limewash is that although it ages well, it will erode over time requiring a new coat every 5-10 years. Either way, Better Painting would love to help you transform your homes exterior! Our estimators would love to educate you on your options and help guide you in the right direction based on your home and goals. Our Spring calendar is filling up quickly so give us a call today for your free estimate or request an estimate online!
