Brick Painting Service in Chicago, IL
Interior and exterior brick painted with breathable masonry paint. Cleaned, primed, and coated so the brick stays durable. Licensed and insured, with the price in writing before we start.
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Quick Answer
Brick painting in Chicago starts at $299 for an interior accent wall, with full exterior brick homes ranging from $2,000 to $4,500. That price comes from Vanguard Painting, a licensed and insured company based in Melrose Park. Every job includes cleaning the brick, applying a masonry primer and two coats of breathable paint that lets moisture escape. We paint interior brick, exterior facades, chimneys and basement walls across Chicago and all of Cook County.
What You Get When We Paint Your Brick
Book brick painting in Chicago and this is the package. No cheap paint that traps moisture, no skipping the primer on exterior work.
Masonry cleaner removes dirt, efflorescence and old paint residue so primer can bond.
Primer designed for brick and mortar. Alkali-resistant so it holds up against the lime in mortar.
Paint formulated to let moisture vapor escape. Trapped moisture is what spalls brick.
Proper dry time between coats. Even coverage on every brick and mortar joint.
Spray gets into the mortar joints, back-rolling works it into the brick surface.
No paint on the glass, no drips on the window sills.
We work paint into the mortar joints instead of just riding over them. That's where water gets in.
Every drop sheet picked up, every paint chip cleared from the ground.
Brick Painting Prices in Chicago
Here's where our pricing starts on the brick jobs Chicago homeowners ask about most. The size of the wall, whether it's interior or exterior, and the condition of the brick move the final number. You get that number in writing first.
Not sure which of these you need? Call (708) 815-7720. Most Chicago brick jobs get priced over the phone in about five minutes.
Chicago Brick Has Its Own Requirements
Chicago is a brick city. From the greystones of Lincoln Park to the red brick bungalows of Beverly, this city is built on clay. Painting brick here takes a specific approach that newer markets don't need.
Efflorescence is common
Chicago brick often shows white salt deposits from moisture pushing through. Those salts have to be cleaned off before primer goes on.
Mortar joints vary by age
Lime mortar from 1900 absorbs differently than modern Portland cement mortar. We adjust our paint application accordingly.
Interior brick needs different prep
Interior brick is often sealed with wax or varnish. We clean that first so paint actually sticks. This is part of our house painting approach for interiors with brick walls.
Paint on exterior brick must breathe. If moisture gets trapped behind the paint, the brick face can spall and flake off. We use masonry-specific products on every Chicago brick job.
How We Paint Brick in Chicago
Eight steps, same order every time, whether it's an interior accent wall in Wicker Park or a full exterior in Bridgeport.
Walk and inspect
We check brick condition, look for efflorescence and spalling, and write the price before we leave.
Clean the surface
Pressure wash exterior brick or scrub interior brick. Dirt and salts must come off.
Repair mortar
Missing or crumbling mortar joints pointed and patched before painting.
Mask and protect
Windows, trim and landscaping covered. Interior floors protected.
Apply masonry primer
Primer formulated for brick and mortar. One full coat, rolled and brushed into joints.
First topcoat
Breathable masonry paint applied. Sprayed and back-rolled for deep penetration.
Second topcoat
Full second coat once the first has dried. Even color across all surfaces.
Cleanup and walkthrough
All coverings removed, site swept, and we walk the property with you.
The Brick Work Chicago Calls Us For
Most calls fall into one of three categories. Same crew and same prep standard on all of them, different requirements for interior versus exterior.
Exterior brick homes
Greystones, red brick bungalows and modern builds with brick facades. Full pressure wash, primer and breathable topcoats. This is the core of our exterior painting work.
Interior brick walls
Interior brick in lofts, basements and exposed accent walls. We scrub old wax off and use interior masonry primer. Often paired with interior painting for the rest of the room.
Chimneys and commercial
Chimneys above the roofline, storefronts and office buildings with brick exteriors. We have the ladder work and material knowledge.
A Crew That Understands Chicago Brick
Our base is at 541 Winston Dr in Melrose Park. We drive into Chicago every day, and we know what the old brick needs. The person who prices your job is the person who paints it. Same crew from estimate to cleanup.
Brick painting isn't like drywall. The surface is uneven, the mortar absorbs paint differently than the brick, and exterior brick has to breathe. We use the right products and the right application methods for every job.
A lot of Chicago customers combine brick painting with siding painting or deck staining while we're already on the property.
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What Goes Wrong With Brick Paint, and What You End Up With
Almost every Chicago brick call opens with one of these failures. Here's the cause on the left, and here's the result when we pack up.
The problem
Moisture trapped behind the paint because somebody used interior paint on exterior brick. The water pushes the paint off.
Paint that doesn't breathe traps moisture inside the brick. Freeze-thaw cycles break the brick face off.
Mortar absorbs paint differently than brick. Cheap paint or no primer means it pulls away from the mortar joints.
What you get
Masonry primer, breathable topcoats, proper dry time. The moisture escapes, the paint stays put.
Proper paint lets vapor pass so the brick doesn't spall. No freeze-thaw damage.
We roll and back-brush into the mortar joints so everything is covered evenly.
True on every Chicago brick painting we take:
What the Brick Looks Like When We Leave
Even coverage, no drips on the trim, and every mortar joint properly coated.
What Chicago Customers Say After the Last Coat
Most of our Chicago brick work comes from people who had moisture issues before. Read what they said about the prep, the materials and the finish.
Other Work We Do Around Chicago
Brick painting is a specialty, but the same crew handles everything on a property.
Siding painting
Wood, vinyl and aluminum siding. See siding painting.
Basement painting
Interior basement brick and walls. See basement painting.
Exterior painting
Full exteriors including brick and trim. See exterior painting.
Interior painting
Inside work including brick accent walls. See interior painting.
Need work across the county? We cover the whole Cook County service area, and everything we do in the city sits on the Chicago painting page.
Brick Painting in Chicago, IL: Common Questions
How much does brick painting cost in Chicago, IL?
How long does it take to paint brick in Chicago?
Can you paint interior brick that has been sealed?
Do you paint exterior brick in cold weather?
What kind of paint do you use on brick?
Do you paint commercial brick buildings?
Do you paint brick chimneys?
Is Vanguard Painting licensed and insured?
Get Your Chicago Brick Painted Right
Free estimate, a real written price, licensed and insured, and a crew that knows how brick should be painted. Book online and take $50 off.