{"id":19924,"date":"2022-04-25T15:52:10","date_gmt":"2022-04-25T19:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/?p=19924"},"modified":"2023-02-15T22:14:47","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T02:14:47","slug":"limewash-vs-whitewash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/exterior-house-painting\/limewash-vs-whitewash\/","title":{"rendered":"Limewash vs Whitewash Brick: What\u2019s the Difference?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">The benefits of owning a brick home are plentiful. They&#8217;re naturally fire and weather-resistant, composed of natural, renewable resources (shale and clay), easy to maintain and naturally insulated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, your choice in brick colors can feel limited, and homebuyers sometimes feel like they&#8217;re compromising on their desired home color. Luckily, there are eco-friendly, cost-effective options to give your<\/span><a style=\"color: #000000\" href=\"https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/exterior-house-painting\/post-winter-paint-updates-your-homes-exterior-needs-for-summer\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">brick home a facelift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0without agonizing over the details that come with painted brick. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Limewashing and whitewashing are both historical processes that have recently risen in popularity as alternatives to more expensive exterior upgrades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">In this article, we&#8217;ll discuss limewash vs. whitewash for brick homes and the benefits to each.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>What is Limewash?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19926\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19926\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19926 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-225x225.jpg 225w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-420x420.jpg 420w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-960x960.jpg 960w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-720x720.jpg 720w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-360x360.jpg 360w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-240x240.jpg 240w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/how-to-refresh-your-home-exterior-with-classico-limewash-image-1-540x540.jpg 540w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19926\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Our Faux Farmhouse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Limewash was at the height of its popularity in the 1800s and 1900s because it was readily available and economical.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Limewash consists of two ingredients: lime and water, and is usually a white color, but other natural hues are typical. Lime, not to be confused with the citrus fruit, is extracted from limestone and then processed into lime putty or paste. Combined with water, the mixture turns into a matte or chalky texture that is then ready to be applied to a home&#8217;s exterior.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Unlike painted brick, limewash doesn&#8217;t simply sit on top of brick; it penetrates the fibers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Pros of Limewashing Exterior Brick<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Low maintenance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Bacteria-resistant<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Attractive aging process<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Inexpensive and eco-friendly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Available in other natural colors and hues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Cons of Limewashing Exterior Brick<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Difficult to control the consistency of appearance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Labor-intensive; needs many coats to be a solid color<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Won\u2019t change the texture of your brick<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Comes in a limited range of earth tones and off-white<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Can\u2019t be applied over painted brick<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>What is Whitewash?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-19924 gallery-columns-2 gallery-size-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/exterior-house-painting\/limewash-vs-whitewash\/attachment\/whitewash1-360x480\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash1-360x480-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-19927\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash1-360x480-1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash1-360x480-1-169x225.jpg 169w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash1-360x480-1-315x420.jpg 315w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash1-360x480-1-240x320.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-19927'>\n\t\t\t\tPhotos: CertaPro &#8211; Madison, WI\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a href='https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/exterior-house-painting\/limewash-vs-whitewash\/attachment\/whitewash2-1-360x480\/'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash2-1-360x480-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash2-1-360x480-1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash2-1-360x480-1-169x225.jpg 169w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash2-1-360x480-1-315x420.jpg 315w, https:\/\/pub-9fc1f065f07e441b8f35365c774f09ae.r2.dev\/uploads\/whitewash2-1-360x480-1-240x320.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Although limewash can be considered a type of whitewash and is often used synonymously, we&#8217;ll be differentiating the two for this article.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Whitewash is a half-and-half mixture of water and paint that sits on top of brick, unlike limewash, to provide a translucent finish, muting the brick\u2019s natural color. Unlike painted bricks, whitewashing preserves bricks&#8217; natural, random variations, depending on how much is applied and how each individual reacts to its application.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Pros of Whitewashing Exterior Brick<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Provides a smoother surface finish<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Low maintenance and lasts for years<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Can easily be applied to painted bricks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Limitless color choices<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Provides full coverage<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Cons of Whitewashing Exterior Brick<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">More expensive than limewashing when used on larger surface areas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Some paints can trap moisture<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Hard to remove if you change your mind<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Difficult to maintain consistency of mix if DIY<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Which is Best for Your Home?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Now that you&#8217;re familiar with limewash vs. whitewash, how do you choose which process to use for your exterior brick?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">Limewash is an excellent choice if you&#8217;re looking for something natural and eco-friendly. We recommend this technique for someone looking for a semi-permanent change that can be removed with power-washing. Limewash brick is a great choice for a vintage home look on new bricks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;color: #000000\">On the other hand, whitewashing bricks is recommended for those searching for a solution that is more permanent. Because whitewashing is mixed with paint, it can be used on previously painted brick. All in all, it&#8217;s a great choice for smaller interior projects like fireplace brick or a brick wall accent.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000\"><b>Upgrade Your Brick Exterior with CertaPro Painters\u00ae\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Investing in the<\/span><a style=\"color: #000000\" href=\"https:\/\/certapro.com\/residential-painting\/exterior-painting\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">exterior of your home<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is just as important as the interior, and so is choosing the right painting partner to complete the project correctly the first time.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Trust the painting professionals at CertaPro Painters\u00ae to breathe new life into your brick house.<\/span><a style=\"color: #000000\" href=\"https:\/\/certapro.com\/contact-us\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Schedule a consultation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for your next exterior home project today!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The benefits of owning a brick home are plentiful. They&#8217;re naturally fire and weather-resistant, composed of natural, renewable resources (shale and clay), easy to maintain and naturally insulated. However, your choice in brick colors can feel limited, and homebuyers sometimes feel like they&#8217;re compromising on their desired home color. Luckily, there are eco-friendly, cost-effective options<a class=\"read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/certapro.com\/blog\/exterior-house-painting\/limewash-vs-whitewash\/\">Read the full article <em class=\"fa fa-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[413],"tags":[347,377,290],"class_list":["post-19924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-exterior-house-painting","tag-brick","tag-brick-painting","tag-staining"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/78"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19924\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/certapro.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}