Can You Stain Brick Pavers? (Find Out Now!)
Decorative brick pavers are an excellent way to add visual interest around your property without breaking the bank – whether they’re used in the construction of patios, walkways, or pathways around a pool. Over time, age and exposure to the elements will cause brick pavers to fade and discolor. This is especially the case when the color is only applied on the surface of the pavers.
In this case, you may be wondering if it’s possible to stain brick pavers. Yes, a masonry stain can be applied to give your brick pavers a new look. These stains allow homeowners to completely change the color of the brick, transforming it from a dull beige to a vibrant red.
Continue reading to learn more about staining brick pavers, how it’s done, how long it lasts and best practices to give your brick pavers the updated look that they need!
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Can You Stain Brick Pavers?
Eventually, your brick pavers will lose the rich color that they once were when they were first installed. Constant exposure to the sun, moisture, inclement weather, and even foot traffic will take a toll on brick pavers, causing them to look dull, faded, and discolored. Fortunately, you can reapply a stain to give your brick pavers a fresh appearance. Whether your brick pavers have faded or you simply want them to be a different color entirely, they can be stained.
Stains can even be implemented to match newer stones to older, existing stones, or to create an antique, weathered look. For best results, opt for a stain that is both UV- and weather-resistant. This will ensure that not only the look of your pavers is restored, but that the color will last for many years to come.
Many home improvement centers offer DIY-friendly kits that make staining brick pavers easy for the average homeowner to handle themselves. When it comes to colors, there are a number of options to choose from. Though, given the nature of bricks, you are often limited to the most common brick colors like brown, pink, and red.
Sealers vs. Stains
Another way to restore brick pavers to their original color is to apply a wet-look masonry sealer. These sealers will darken the color of the pavers and prevent fading down the line, but will not alter the existing color of the brick. If your goal is to change the color of the pavers, you’ll want to opt for a masonry stain.
Regardless, it is recommended that brick pavers be properly maintained and sealed on a regular basis. This not only protects against staining, but also prevents the gradual fading of the pavers. Believe it or not, if pavers are left unsealed, they will fade to look like bare concrete in as little as seven years. Paver sealant is a crucial maintenance tool to keeping your brick pavers looking exactly as they were the day they were installed!
Paint vs. Stain
When it comes to considering stain vs. paint for brick pavers, there are several things to keep in mind. For best results, you want to allow the pavers themselves to breathe. Paint simply covers the surface of the brick and is solely a mechanical bond. By painting brick, you are eliminating the natural porous surface, which prevents traps moisture and prevents the brick from being able to breathe.
This moisture will build up and eventually lead to cracking and chipping. With stain, a chemical bond is formed and it essentially becomes one with the brick paver. Unlike paint, stain adheres, soaks in, and becomes a permanent feature of the paver. It does all this while maintaining the natural porous surface of the brick, preventing cracking and allowing it to breathe.
How to Stain Brick Pavers
To apply stain on brick pavers, you can use either a sprayer, brushes, or rollers. If you choose to use a sprayer, you want to ensure that the device is rated for acid to avoid destroying any metal components and impacting the color.
You must paint carefully to ensure that you cover all exposed surfaces. Masonry stain will also color grout, so if your brick pavers are grouted, you’ll want to use a paintbrush to avoid altering the grout color. With that said, follow these steps to successfully stain brick pavers:
- Choose a stain color. If your goal is to match your existing pavers, make sure you bring a sample to the hardware store with you. Many stores can mix colors to achieve a stain that matches. Some stains are available in multi-part kits that require you to do the mixing. In this case, follow the instructions from the manufacturer for proper mixing and application.
- Test an inconspicuous area first. Before you start staining, test the stain on a small area of the brick to make sure that it’s the desired color.
- Clean the brick pavers. Your brick pavers should be thoroughly cleaned or pressure-washed before beginning the staining process. You also want to remove oil stains by scrubbing with a degreaser.
- Apply the stain. Make sure you wear gloves to avoid your skin getting into contact with the stain. Pour a small amount of the stain into a bucket and use a bristle paintbrush to paint a thin, uniform layer on the bricks. A roller can be used to cover larger pavers quickly. Make sure all exposed areas of the brick are covered and that the stain is soaking evenly into the pavers.
- Let the stain dry for at least 24 hours.
Note: Although using a brush to apply stain helps with better penetration, you’ll want to be extra careful to avoid brush marks. Make sure to mask the surrounding areas as well to prevent unintentional staining.
How Long Does Brick Stain Last?
Oftentimes, how long masonry stain lasts is a key factor in determining whether to paint or stain brick pavers. Depending on the quality of the stain and the condition of your pavers, brick stain can last over 20 years. Though, even with stain, the brick pavers will eventually fade over time and need to be stained or sealed again.
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Related Questions
What is the best way to clean brick pavers?
Before you start to use a cleanser on your brick pavers, you want to hose down the entire space with water. The safest cleanser to use on brick pavers is a combination of warm water and a mild household cleaner, such as dish detergent.Simply fill up a gallon-sized bucket with warm water and add in roughly 16 ounces of detergent. After mixing, gently pour the solution on the surface of the pavers and scrub small areas at a time using a stiff-bristled brush.
Can you use vinegar on brick pavers?
Using a mixture of water and white vinegar is an effective, non-toxic way to clean brick pavers. However, you should never use dark vinegar, as this can cause staining and damage to the surface.
Are brick pavers the same as bricks?
When compared to traditional brick, brick pavers are a more decorative form of brick. Because of this, pavers often offer more in terms of shape, texture, and color. Also, while conventional bricks have holes in the center to reduce the weight and cost, brick pavers do not.
Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.
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