Painting Brick Exterior in Hendersonville: A Case Study
Table of Contents
Job Overview
Painting brick is one of the most permanent exterior decisions a Nashville-area homeowner can make. Done right, it transforms the curb appeal of a home and adds decades of protection to the masonry. Done wrong — wrong product, wrong prep, wrong sheen — and you're dealing with peeling, moisture problems, and a surface that's nearly impossible to restore.
That's why this job in Hendersonville mattered. Mariah's home had brick that needed paint, and the scope also included the gutters — which were getting a crisp matte black finish to contrast the white. Here's how we approached it, what products went on the wall, and what the result looked like at the final walkthrough.
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
Location | Hendersonville, TN |
Scope | Full brick exterior repaint + gutter painting |
Wall color | Benjamin Moore OC-17 White Dove — Satin Exterior |
Gutters | Matte black (Rust-Oleum spray) |
Project value | $7,000-$10,000 |
Why Benjamin Moore White Dove on Brick
Color selection on a painted brick exterior matters more than most homeowners realize. Brick is a textured, porous surface — the paint reads differently than it would on smooth siding, and the undertones of the color interact with the natural variation in the masonry. Get it wrong and the home looks dingy. Get it right and it looks like it was always meant to be that color.
White Dove (OC-17) is one of Benjamin Moore's most consistently recommended whites for exterior brick — and for good reason. It reads as a warm, creamy white rather than a stark or cool white, which softens the texture of the brick and keeps the home from looking clinical. It also pairs exceptionally well with black accents, which made it the right call here with the matte black gutters in scope.
We used the satin exterior formulation. For painted brick, satin is the correct sheen — it provides enough surface film to protect the masonry from moisture infiltration without creating the high-gloss look that accentuates every bump and irregularity in the brick surface.
Sheen Comparison for Painted Brick
Sheen | Appearance on Brick | Durability | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
Flat/Matte | Absorbs light, hides texture | Low — hard to clean | Avoid on exterior |
Eggshell | Subtle sheen, forgiving | Moderate | Acceptable |
Satin | Clean finish, slight sheen | High — cleanable, water-resistant | ✓ Recommended |
Semi-gloss | Noticeable sheen, highlights texture | Very high | Best for trim only |
What Painting Brick Actually Involves
Brick is not the same as painting wood siding or stucco. The surface is porous, textured, and highly variable — the mortar joints between bricks absorb paint differently than the brick face itself. Any painter who doesn't account for this ends up with an uneven, patchy result.
Proper brick painting requires:
Thorough cleaning first. Dirt, efflorescence (white mineral deposits), and any loose material on the brick surface will prevent proper adhesion. Pressure washing is standard.
A masonry-compatible primer or high-build paint. Brick needs a paint that penetrates the porous surface and seals it, rather than sitting on top.
Roller technique that pushes paint into the mortar joints. You can't just roll across the surface — you have to work the paint into the texture or you'll have holidays (missed spots) in every joint.
Multiple coats. Brick is thirsty. One coat almost never produces full, even coverage.
For authoritative guidance on masonry painting standards, the Painting and Decorating Contractors of America outlines surface preparation and application requirements for masonry surfaces.
The Gutter Detail: Matte Black
The gutters were in scope from the start — painted matte black with Rust-Oleum spray to create a sharp contrast against the White Dove brick. This is a popular combination on painted brick homes: the warm white reads classic and clean, while matte black gutters, downspouts, and trim add definition and a modern edge.
Getting gutter painting right is mostly about two things: product consistency and seamless coverage. You have to use the same brand and finish throughout — mixing spray paint brands or sheens on the same surface produces visible color and texture variation once it dries. On this job, Jeremy worked carefully to blend the coverage across the full run of each gutter to avoid any hard lines between sections.
The client had a specific eye for this detail and flagged areas where coverage wasn't seamless. The team came back, assessed, and ran each gutter corner to corner to ensure a consistent result. Mariah's walkthrough verdict: it looks great.
The Result
Benjamin Moore White Dove satin on a brick exterior, matte black gutters, full walkthrough completed and approved by the client. The transformation on a painted brick home is immediate — the warmth of White Dove gives the home a freshness that no amount of pressure washing would have produced on the original dark masonry.
At $4,273.82 for a full exterior brick repaint including gutters, this project is a fair representation of what a properly executed Nashville-area exterior costs. For context on exterior painting costs more broadly, see our residential exterior painting service page.
Should You Paint Your Brick Exterior?
It's a question worth thinking through before committing. Painted brick is a permanent decision — removing paint from brick is difficult, expensive, and sometimes damaging to the masonry. But for many Nashville-area homes, it's the right call.
Paint Your Brick If... | Consider Alternatives If... |
|---|---|
The brick color is dated or mismatched | The brick is in excellent original condition |
You want a dramatic curb appeal upgrade | You may want to sell soon (some buyers prefer unpainted brick) |
The brick has minor staining or weathering | The brick has major structural cracks or moisture issues |
The home has already been partially painted | You want a reversible option (consider limewash instead) |
If you're on the fence, a paint color consultation is a good way to explore options before committing. We can also talk through limewash as an alternative — it's vapor-permeable, reversible over time, and produces a distinctly different look than solid paint. Learn more on our limewash painting guide.
Why Choose Those Guys Painting Co.
We handle exterior painting across the Nashville metro — brick, siding, stucco, and everything in between. Every project gets a proper prep sequence, product matched to the surface, and a project manager who stays in contact from start to final walkthrough.
Our quoting process is straightforward. Send us photos of your home with a description of the scope — we'll send a fixed-price quote within 24 hours. No in-home visit needed. Learn more about how we work or check your area on our service areas page.
Ready to transform your brick exterior?
Fill out the form below — photos of your home and a brief description is all we need. Fixed-price quote within 24 hours.
Get Your Exterior Painting Quote
Whether it's brick, siding, or a full exterior repaint, the process starts the same way. Fill out the form below with photos and a description of what you need done. Fixed-price quote within 24 hours — no in-home appointment needed.
Browse more case studies and exterior painting resources on our blog, or explore the full range of painting services we offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint brick exteriors in Nashville?
Yes — painted brick is one of the most popular exterior transformations we do across the Nashville metro. The key is proper surface prep, a masonry-compatible paint in the right sheen, and a thorough application that gets paint into the mortar joints, not just across the brick face.
What is the best paint for brick exteriors?
We use Benjamin Moore exterior formulations on brick, typically in a satin sheen. White Dove (OC-17) is one of our most-requested colors for brick — it reads as a warm, clean white that pairs beautifully with black trim and gutters. The satin sheen provides moisture resistance without highlighting the texture.
Is painting brick permanent?
Effectively yes — removing paint from brick is difficult, expensive, and can damage the masonry surface. That's why product and color selection matters. If you want a softer, more reversible option, limewash is worth exploring. We're Meoded-certified and can walk you through both options.
How much does it cost to paint a brick house exterior in Nashville?
Most Nashville-area brick exterior painting projects range from $7,000 to $10,000+ depending on square footage, number of stories, surface condition, and scope of trim and gutter work. Send us photos and we'll send a fixed-price quote within 24 hours.
What color gutters go with painted white brick?
Matte black is the most popular pairing with white painted brick — it creates a clean, high-contrast look that frames the home without competing with the wall color. Satin or semi-gloss black on trim and shutters works well with the same combination.
