Can you paint brick in Frederick, MD? Inside the Frederick Town Historic District, the City will not approve painting or coating brick that has never been painted, unless the paint will help stabilize deteriorating brick. Brick that is already painted can be repainted, and the City does not review paint colors on it.
Outside the historic district, the City’s historic district review does not apply, though your HOA may have its own rules. C&R Pro Painting is a Frederick painting contractor (Maryland MHIC #119596, in the painting trade since 2016), and we offer an exterior brick coating backed by a 20-year warranty. Here is what the City’s rules say and what to check before any paint or coating goes on your brick.
Can You Paint Brick in Downtown Frederick?
The City of Frederick’s Historic Preservation Commission reviews exterior changes to properties in the Frederick Town Historic District that can be seen from a public way. Its Design Guidelines (2019 edition) are direct about brick: painting or coating historic masonry that is not currently painted or coated “will not be approved except in those cases where it will help stabilize deteriorating brick.”
Parts of a property the Commission has identified as non-historic are treated differently. The guidelines say those structures “may be painted for stabilization or aesthetic reasons.” You still apply first, because the Commission reviews all exterior changes in the district.
You can read the full rules in the City’s Frederick Town Historic District Design Guidelines. If you are not sure whether your house is in the district, ask the City’s Planning Department before you schedule any work.
Why So Many Downtown Brick Houses Are Already Painted
Walk through downtown Frederick and you will see a lot of painted brick. That is not an accident. The guidelines explain that “the brick on many Frederick buildings was low-fired and porous and was frequently painted to maintain its integrity.” Soft, porous brick takes on water, and paint was a way to protect it.
Repainting Brick That Is Already Painted
This is where most downtown homeowners stand. The guidelines show a painted house on East 3rd Street that “can be repainted without Commission approval,” and they list paint color among the things the Commission does not review, except for painted signs, roofs, building accessories and other pre-finished elements. If your brick is already painted, repainting it is normally routine maintenance. When in doubt, ask Planning for the City’s list of work that does not need approval.
Taking Paint Off Brick Needs Approval
Removing paint is a different story. The Commission “will not approve the removal of paint from a brick building if the removal will cause damage,” and it may approve chemical stripping only after it has reviewed a successful test patch. Plan for an application and a test area before anyone starts stripping.
How the City Wants Historic Brick Cleaned and Repaired
Paint is only part of caring for brick. The same guidelines set rules for cleaning and mortar work that are worth knowing before any project on an older Frederick house.
Cleaning: masonry should only be cleaned to stop deterioration or remove heavy soiling, using low-pressure water at standard City water pressure. Sandblasting and strong chemical solutions are not appropriate, and pressure washing above 300 psi will not be approved.
Mortar: repointing is done only where loose, deteriorated mortar has been removed, and lime-based mortar is required for repointing historic brick. Portland cement is generally not appropriate for most repointing jobs in Frederick. The guidelines warn the result can be spalling or cracking of the brick during freeze-thaw cycles, which Frederick winters bring every year.
Mortar repairs are a mason’s job, and they come before any paint or coating. A good painter should look at the mortar and the brick faces first and tell you if a mason needs to go in ahead of the paint.
Coating Brick Outside the Historic District
Plenty of Frederick County homes outside downtown have brick fronts or are all brick. For these homes, a coating can change dated brick to a color that suits the house, or give patched brick one even color.
The photo above shows one of our brick homes before and after painting.
C&R Pro Painting offers an exterior brick coating backed by a 20-year warranty, and we use Sherwin-Williams paint. Before we coat, we check the brick and mortar, clean the surface, and wait for dry brick and the temperature range on the product label. In Maryland that usually means planning exterior coating work for late spring through early fall.
Coating brick is a long-term decision. Once brick is painted or coated, going back to bare brick is hard, so choose the color carefully. Our exterior painting page explains how we prepare and paint siding, trim and doors on the rest of the house.
What to Check Before You Paint or Coat Brick
Is the House in the Historic District?
If it is, unpainted brick generally stays unpainted, and paint removal needs approval. Check with the City’s Planning Department before you sign a contract.
Is the Brick Already Painted?
Already-painted brick can usually be repainted in the color you want. Peeling paint means scraping and cleaning first, so ask what prep is included in the estimate.
What Shape Are the Brick and Mortar In?
Crumbling mortar or flaking brick faces should be repaired before paint or coating goes on. Paint will not fix them.
Is the Contractor Licensed, and Is the Warranty in Writing?
Ask for the contractor’s Maryland Home Improvement Commission license number and check that it is current with the Maryland Department of Labor. Get the warranty terms in writing with your estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint my brick house in downtown Frederick?
If the brick has never been painted and the house is in the Frederick Town Historic District, the City’s guidelines say painting or coating it will not be approved unless it helps stabilize deteriorating brick. Parts of a property identified as non-historic may be approved for painting.
Do I need approval to repaint brick that is already painted?
The City’s guidelines say already-painted brick can be repainted without Commission approval. Paint color is not reviewed, except for painted signs, roofs, building accessories and other pre-finished elements.
Can I pressure wash brick in the historic district?
Only gently. The guidelines allow cleaning with low-pressure water at standard City water pressure and say pressure washing above 300 psi will not be approved. Sandblasting is not appropriate.
What mortar should be used on old Frederick brick?
Lime-based mortar. The guidelines require it for repointing historic brick and say Portland cement is generally not appropriate, because it can lead to spalling or cracking of the brick during freeze-thaw cycles.
Does C&R Pro Painting warranty its brick coating?
Yes. Our exterior brick coating is backed by a 20-year warranty. Call 240-245-6625 or request a free estimate through our contact page.
Choose C&R Pro Painting for Brick Painting and Coating in Frederick, MD
Whether your brick downtown is already painted or you want to coat a brick home outside the district, C&R Pro Painting will look at the brick and mortar, point you to the City rules that apply, and give you a written estimate. You can see every town we work in on our service areas page.
Request your free estimate or call 240-245-6625.