When we moved into our 90’s home 3 years ago, I KNEW I wanted to do some major work on this home exterior. The orange brick wasn’t my style, and I have been SO excited to limewash this brick!! It’s something we did to our old home (check out that before & after here), and let me tell you, lime washing brick has a huge positive impact on curb appeal.
We were quoted nearly $10,000 to have it professionally limewashed… and ended up doing it ourselves for around $2800. Sooo… here’s exactly how I did it, what tools we used, and what I wish I’d known before starting!
🤔 Why Limewash Instead of Paint?
- It lets your brick breathe! Unlike paint, limewash is mineral-based and permeable, so it won’t trap moisture.
- It’s customizable (at first) – You have that day to power wash / rinse / sponge it off if you don’t love the look. If you like a more distressed look, you can totally achieve this with limewash!
- It keeps texture intact – You still get all the character of your brick, just in a different, more modern tone.
🧰 What You’ll Need
For a single story house:
- Romabio Classico Limewash (we used Cristallo White)
- Masonry brush
- Large bucket for mixing
- Drill
- Drill Mixer attachement
- Garden hose
- Drop cloths & painter’s tape
- Gloves
- Optional: Mineral Shield sealer (for extra durability)
For a 2-story house you’ll also need:
- 18″ Masonry nap roller (if covering a large area like we were)
- 18″ Roller Frame
- 18″ Roller Tray
- Heavy Duty Extension Pole
- Ladder (depending on your house height!)
👷♀️ Step-by-Step: How to Limewash Brick
1. Calculate the Amount of Limewash You’ll Need
Make a sketch of your house and calculate the square footage. Romabio has the estimated coverage listed on their website and the buckets of limewash. I found mine didn’t go as far as the estimated coverage stated on their website – perhaps because I mixed mine a bit thicker.
2. Prep the Surface
Start by cleaning your brick with a hose or power washer, to remove dirt and any debris. Then, PROTECT CONCRETE AND WOOD with a drop cloth. Limewash doesn’t come off those types of surfaces easily. I personally don’t tape off my windows and doors, because I’ll just clean them afterwards. Totally up to you if want to that or not!
3. Mix the Limewash
Romabio Classico limewash comes concentrated. You’ll need to dilute it with water. I used a 1 part limewash to 3/4 parts water (ish). I wanted the limewash to go on THICK because I didn’t want any brick to show through. If you want a thinner consistency, try a 1:1 ratio!
Definitely use a drill mixer attachment to mix the limewash. It makes life so much easier and makes sure it’s all mixed consistently.
4. Wet down the Brick First
Spray your brick with water before applying limewash. This helps it absorb evenly!
5. Apply the Limewash
I first used a masonry brush for but quickly realized a thick 18″ masonry roller was the way to go for our large house. The thick 1 1/4″ nap is important, because it allows the limewash to get into those masonry joints. A sprayer works too, but you’ll most likely need to back brush it. I tried the spray method for one section, but ultimately the roller was the way to go for me!
If you have a smaller area of brick, you’ll be fine with just a masonry brush. That’s how I applied it on our last house.
It should be pretty runny when you apply it, but don’t worry – that’s how it’s supposed to be, and it dries beautifully.
We did decide to hire out the super tall portion of our house. It wasn’t much square footage, but there was no way I was going to get on a ladder, and our extension pole wasn’t long enough to reach that high. (The extension pole I got was 28′ long!) The painter I hired used a 32′ tall ladder. I was so nervous watching him, but he was a pro up there!
Since we were using an extension pole with an 18″ roller, I needed a way to reach the narrow strip just beneath the roof eave. I ended up attaching a 6″ mini roller to the same pole, which worked perfectly for getting into that tight spot the larger roller couldn’t reach.
6. Optional: Rinse to Distress
I’ve never done this, but after 15 – 30 minutes, you can rinse certain areas with a hose to let more brick show through. This step is totally up to you and gives it a more “weathered” look. I have no clue if it’s easy or not!
7. Step Back and Admire Your Work
It’ll feel dry to the touch in a few hours, but try to time it so there’s no downpour of rain within two days. Once cured, it has a 20 year warranty and is very durable – especially if you add a mineral sealer. I haven’t done it yet, but I will be adding mineral sealer around the perimeter of our house from the ground up to about 4 feet. This mineral sealer prevents the limewash from washing away in areas where it consistently experiences rain or snow.
💡 Tips from Someone Who’s Done It
- Work in sections so your wet brick doesn’t dry before you apply.
- Mix extra – it’s easy to save leftovers and remix it when you’re ready to use it again!
- It looks darker when wet – don’t panic if it looks wrong at first!
- Don’t skip prep – you will regret seeing white splatters on your concrete every day!
✨ Before & After
We went from orange brick to a soft, creamy white finish that feels fresh, modern, and totally US! It’s now one of the most commented-on features of our home!! And knowing we did it ourselves makes it even better. 🙂
🧱 Limewash Cost Breakdown: Single-Story vs. Two-Story Home
| Item | Single Story 🏡 | Two Story 🏡 | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romabio Classico Limewash | ✅ | ✅ | $260 ~ $1,680.00 |
| Masonry brush | ✅ | ✅ | $40.00 |
| Large bucket for mixing | ✅ | ✅ | $4.00 |
| Drop cloths | ✅ | ✅ | $20.00 |
| Mineral Shield sealer | ✅ | ✅ | $45 ~$180 |
| 18″ Masonry nap roller | ✅ | $20.00 | |
| 18″ Roller Frame | ✅ | $23.00 | |
| 18″ Roller Tray | ✅ | $20.00 | |
| Heavy Duty Extension Pole | ✅ | $40.00 |
Total cost:
Single Story Home = approximately $400 | Two Story Home = approximately $2,000
**Note: We paid a professional painter $800 to reach the high peaks of our house, so our total was about $2,800.
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Ready to Try It?
If you’re on the fence about limewashing your brick, let this be your sign: you can absolutely DIY this. It’s affordable, beginner-friendly, and the payoff is huge. I’ll never look at our house the same way again!!! And I mean that in the BEST possible way!!!
Let me know if you have questions.. I’m always happy to help another brave DIY-er take the leap! 💪
