Limewashing
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What Exactly is Limewashing?
Brick homes have long been considered one of the best options. They are thought to be timeless and last for hundreds of years.
Well, they certainly can last for hundreds of years, but boy, can they make a house look dated.
Let’s be honest not all brick is created equal. Some homes just look bad, but you would never think about replacing them.
In the early 2000’s we started to see a few people start to paint the brick especially when the brick was mixed with other types of siding. This gave the house a longer, more monolithic appearance.
Now, some bricks, especially in commercial stores, you will see not only the paint peeling but some of the brick falling out as well.
It looks like the brick is decomposing because it is!
What cause brick to decompose when painted and how to avoid it.
Most acrylic exterior paints do not allow the brick to breathe. In other words, moisture gets behind the paint and cannot escape. Consequently, the trapped moisture decays the brick until it finally breaks through.
Ramabio came up with an excellent solution. Don’t use acrylic; instead, use lime from the Dolomite Mountains. With a little engineering Romabio products calcify with the brick. This allows the moisture to come and go, and the limewash never peels.
The Pros of Limewashing
Limewashing is truly a remarkable technique and it’s worth explaining in detail. Not only is limewashing a cost-effective option for homeowners, it’s also environmentally friendly, as it relies on natural materials to create a beautiful and unique finish. It also provides a protective layer to your brick surfaces that will keep bugs away and prevent peeling, making it an ideal solution for anyone worried about maintenance. What’s amazing is that limewash is also weather-resistant, providing long-lasting durability, and it’s entirely non-toxic too! So if you’re wondering what to do when the limewash starts to wear off, it’s simple – just add more! With all these benefits, limewashing becomes a top choice for homeowners looking for an economical, natural, and long-term solution for their home’s exterior.
- Easy to apply
- Insect resistant
- Durable
- Won’t peel
- Seals brick
- No limit to number of coats
Cons of Limewashing
There are very few downsides to using a limewash.
- Can irritate skin
- Do not use on top of paint.
- It can take days or even weeks to cure enough to apply a second coat.
Different Types of Limewashing
As the three examples show, a limewash can have many different looks. The lighter look that allows the brick to be still visible is a one-coat process. When using hydrated lime, you will need to add water until it has the consistency of whole milk.
Romabio comes in a paste and will still need water added. In either case, you will need to add water and whip with a mixing paddle on the drill. Do not attempt to mix by hand.
The Masonry Flat and the Lime Slurry are painted, not latex or oil paints. Instead, they are mineral-based.
Regardless of your chosen product, none need to be primed, and they are all very environmentally friendly.
About Romabio Products
Romabio Masonry Paints are mineral paint technologies designed in Italy that have been proven to last and perform well. Their molecular structure is similar to that of brick and masonry surfaces, making them highly permeable with a perm rating of 70 or greater. This contributes to creating breathable wall systems that allow water moisture contained within a structure to diffuse outward without resistance, thus keeping your walls dry and avoiding structural damage over time. These paints also have excellent UV resistance and are naturally mold-resistant. When applied as a 2 coat system, we offer a 20-year guarantee against peeling or chipping.
Limewashing is a fantastic way of taking a dated brick on a home and giving it a brand-new look. The fact that it doesn’t peel, is UV resistant and fuses with the brick yet protects it makes it a much better choice for verses painting. When you consider that limewash has a timeless look and even a romantic European look, it’s no surprise that its popularity is growing.
Klappenberger & Son is a certified contractor for applying Romabio products. If you would like a free estimate in having your brick limewased we would happy to do so at no cost.
Frequently Asked Question About Limewashing
Can I paint in direct sunlight?
It is not recommended during the hot summer days if you do wet the brick just before applying the limewash.
What if I don’t like the look?
There is about a 60-minute window of time that it can be washed off easily. The lime calcifies with the brick. If you don’t like the look of the classico, the best option is to apply Romabio Masonry Flat.
How do I touch up areas?
The Classico Limewash is a durable surface treatment that won’t chip, peel, or flake off. It calcifies within the surface, providing a long-lasting depth of color that continues to patina based on weather elements. Touching up any areas that need it is very easy and can be done at any time. There’s no need to repaint the entire surface – re-wet the dried area and reapply according to the application instructions. Keep in mind that touch-ups may require a greater dilution of Classico Limewash to ensure a seamless blend. To reduce the frequency of touch-ups, you can apply Mineral Shield to the areas that weather the most. Mineral Shield is easy to apply with a bottle or garden sprayer.
Can Classico be tinted?
Classico Limewash is sold in pre-tinted whites and neutrals on Lowes.com and HomeDepot.com, as well as in our Retail Store Locations. It’s important to note that it is only available as a white-based paint but can be custom-tinted to other light or white-based colors by a participating local Paint Retailer.
