Brick Mortar is too Dark what can I do to lighten the house?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

We are getting our home built and I think we made a poor decision. The mortar is to dark grayish and we ( the help of the designer) who said it would be fine and not to dark so we agree to the ultra dark. I am having mixed feelings about the brick. I don't know if I like it or hate it. I am wondering if it needs time to cure and how long? Also I see a lot of crack bricks is that OK? Thanks

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hayleydaniels

9 years ago

I like the dark motar as it makes the bricks come together into one unit. Your house will be beautiful........

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Comments (16)

PRO
PPF.
9 years ago
The mortar may lighten a bit, but generally, what you see is what you get. Did you visit a house with this mortar before deciding?

I did notice a difference in trim someone may need to address.
Samantha thanked PPF.
patatas
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I like dark grout, I think it actually sets off the brick much better than neutral or light. Maybe if you add a nice trellis, probably white, and possibly a planter box, possibly slate, under the window, things will start coming together. The one thing I'd want to address is that the trim around the window, being much thinner than around the other windows, looks incomplete. Are you planning shutters or similar?

I have one brick wall whose mortar color I wanted to change (in my case, from neutral to dark). I bought inexpensive "patio paint" from the crafts store, watered it down a bit, and though it of course took most of a day to do, it was incredibly effective, and holds up to the weather. I bet that if you finally decided you want to lighten the mortar, it wouldn't be as impossible a task to change it as it seems.
Samantha thanked patatas
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PRO
RWA Construction Services
9 years ago
The mortar will change colour until it is about 30 days old. Generally it will lighten up.

If you still dislike it, you can look at various tinting/staining options meant for mortar. The application can be dear if they only change the mortar colour.

All brick shrink when they are fired and some will have some cracking. Generally with todays brick minor cracking is not an issue. Without viewing/holding the brick it is hard to advise further; except to take a sample to the brick supplier and ask if it is normal.
Samantha thanked RWA Construction Services
PRO
Timberlane Shutters
9 years ago
Hi Samantha! Although you are unsure of the brick mortar color, we have a solution that may brighten it up a bit. As patatas asked, are you planning on adding shutters? This may lighten up the exterior, especially if the shutters are the same color as your wider trim on the other windows. Even though this isn't directly lightening up the color of the bricks, you will see that more attention will be drawn to your windows.

If you are planning to add shutters, the only recommendation we have is that they are properly fitted. To be proportional they should measure out to half the size of the window! And if you really want our two sense, we think a board and batten style would look best. I attached a photo for you below.

Do you have a full shot of the house? That would be a great help for other Houzzers.
Samantha thanked Timberlane Shutters
PRO
Matthew Somma
9 years ago
it will dry and lighten up, and its a much better look than mortar thats too light. it will all come together.
Samantha thanked Matthew Somma
Samantha
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for all your suggestions and input. PPF thank you for pointing out the trim. I didn't notice. They still need to put shutters up and paint all the trim to match. We pick black shutters and door. Which I see I will be changing to a white shade. I love the idea of a planter box in the window.
PRO
Masonry Cosmetics Inc
9 years ago
Just a thought... Masonry Staining has been around for a long time. You can change the color of the mortar... http://www.masonrycosmetics.com/. It can be done by you or a crew.
Samantha thanked Masonry Cosmetics Inc
mvvj
9 years ago
Hi,

Can you tell me what is the color of the brick ? We have the same problem . We had selected spanish moss brick and our house looks exactly like yours.

Did the color lighten up after drying?
Samantha
Original Author
9 years ago
Hi mvvj we pick Bastille by Boral brick. After the home was finished and a few months later I really love the color of our home. It does lighten a little but not much.
sacapuntaslapioz
9 years ago
Samantha, I think it looks lovely. The issue of cracked brisk is however not good. you should check with the architect or engineer.
If you do accents in green it would look much better than stark white.
feeny
9 years ago
The mortar color is perfect. Don't change or worry about it. The cracked brick, OTOH, should definitely be addressed!
mvvj
9 years ago
Thanks Samantha. I like your home it looks lovely. I visited our home site , and after the motor has dried our home looks a little bit lighter and we have started liking it ....
PRO
JudyG Designs
9 years ago
May we see a picture of your house, now and how the mortar looks after 7 months?
PRO
Masonry Cosmetics Inc
9 years ago
The house really looks great. However, I would just like to let you know that the option of staining brick (or mortar) to just about any color is out there. This product absorbs into the masonry...it's not a paint.There are companies that do this for a living and they will travel. Also, kits are available if you want to change the color yourself. Full disclosure...I work at Masonry Cosmetics. However...check into it for yourself.
Jessie Klein
8 years ago
I think it looks lovely! I agree I wouldn't choose black shutters but I wouldn't go with stark white either. Possibly a light sand-taupe?

Brick Mortar is too Dark what can I do to lighten the house?

hayleydaniels

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PPF.

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Brick Mortar is too Dark what can I do to lighten the house?

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