How Much Does It Cost to Stain Brick?

Typical Range:

$300 - $3,000

Find out how much your project will cost.

Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.

Updated September 26, 2022

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Brick staining costs $0.70 to $1.90 per square foot. It’ll cost $1,100 to $3,000 for the average home with 1,580 square feet of exterior brick wall. For a 300-square-foot area, you’ll pay $200 to $600. For the same area, materials and supplies cost between $25 and $80. It costs $20 to $60 per hour for labor.

Average Cost to Stain Brick House

Average Cost High Cost Low Cost
$600 $3,000 $300
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Staining Brick Costs per Square Foot

It costs $1 per square foot on average to stain brick, although it can range between $0.70 to $1.90per square foot including labor and materials. Staining brick takes about the same amount of time as painting, but stain is advantageous because it doesn’t cover the natural textures of the wall, nor does it trap water.

The cost of staining brick is substantially less than the cost of staining concrete. You can expect to pay $7 to $15 per square foot for concrete stain projects.

Staining Brick Prices per Hour

Labor costs $20 to $85 per hour, with most homeowners paying between $40 and $60 per hour. In total, you’ll spend $150 to $450 on most medium-sized projects.

Brick Stain Prices and Color Options

A gallon of brick stain costs $25 to $50 per gallon or $130 to $170 for a 5-gallon bucket. The price doesn’t vary much based on color, so you can choose just about any color you want without worrying about having to pay more or less. Some of today's more popular options include:

  • Rustic brown

  • Old English red

  • Blue glaze

  • Charcoal

  • Yellow stock

Rustic brown or red stains add warmth to the wall, whereas blue or charcoal stains add darker tones. On the other hand, yellow stains brighten the wall.

Brick Staining Cost Factors

If you’re planning a brick staining project, here are key cost factors to consider. Preparing properly for the stain job will ensure that your stain will last as long as possible.

Repairs

Brick repair costs vary depending on the amount of work required. For example, expect to pay $20 to $30 per square foot for brick replacement. Repairing complex designs can cost up to $100 per square foot. If your brick wall needs any repairs, you should take care of them before starting your stain project.

The costs of repointing and tuckpointing vary between $3 to $15 per square foot for repointing and $5 to $25 per square foot for tuckpointing. Mortar typically lasts 25 years, after which it can begin to deteriorate.

More extreme repairs have higher price points. For example, if you need to fix spalling brick, a pro needs to remove and replace the damaged brick. Spalling brick is crumbly and pitted from exposure to harsh elements. This repair can cost as much as $900 to $1,200, depending on the extent of the damage.

Cleaning

It’s important to pressure wash your brick wall before applying the stain. The stain will seep into the brick better when the painter applies it to a clean wall. Also, if your brick wall has a sealant, the sealant must be removed before a painter can apply the stain. This can be done with a power wash. 

Pressure washing a house costs $300 to $700, with an average of $500 for a 2,000-square-foot house. The costs increase if there is a lot of moss build-up on the brick walls because it takes longer to get the job done.

Number of Stories

You can expect your staining costs to increase by 25% to 50% for each additional story. Besides the additional square footage that needs to be stained, painters may have to set up scaffolding to get the job done safely.

Spray vs. Brush Application

Professional painters typically use a paint sprayer to apply stain to brick walls. It’s much quicker than using a brush, and it works very well. However, if you decide you only want the bricks stained while keeping the mortar its original color, you’ll need to ask for a brush application. This can cost twice as much as a sprayer application.

Brick Staining Benefits and Drawbacks

Staining your brick walls has many benefits. It helps protect the walls against weather, and it doesn’t block evaporation. Staining is an easy way to change the color of your home and increase curb appeal. It’s also fairly easy to apply.

On the other hand, it’s hard to remove the stain. Although many stain options can turn your house from light to dark and vice versa, some people find that painting offers the best coloring to fit their vision.

Either way, staining is a good option since it helps you preserve the brick. After all, bricking a house costs $8,900 to $25,000, so it makes sense to take good care of the exterior.

DIY vs. Hiring a Brick Staining Contractor

While it’s not hard to stain brick, it’s difficult to do it evenly with complete coverage. It’s a time-consuming process. Why take the time and risk when it’s relatively inexpensive to hire a professional painter? Find a local painter to get this job done correctly and quickly.

When hiring, do your research, including:

  • Checking the painter’s license and insurance.

  • Asking whether they guarantee their work.

  • Finding out what stain you want and asking them what they recommend.

  • Reviewing payment terms and quality expectations before work begins.

  • Verifying and signing off on the correct type and color of stain.

Still Have Questions About Staining Brick?
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is staining brick a good idea?

It can be a good idea to stain your brick depending on a few factors. For one, if you'd like to freshen up the look of your home, staining is a great option. You'll want to make sure that your brick exterior is in good shape, and choose the color you want carefully as it'll last a long time.

Considering that a brick wall costs$2,234 to $8,135, it’s a good investment to apply high-quality stain to protect your walls from the elements.

How long does stained brick last?

A quality stain lasts 20 years or more in most weather conditions. For a stain that lasts as long as possible, complete all necessary repairs and cleaning before applying the stain. Also, hire a reputable painter to make sure that the job gets done right. With proper preparation and application, you'll enjoy your stain for decades to come.

After all, brick is a long-lasting investment if maintained properly. If you need to buy more bricks, note that brick costs around $550 per 1,000 bricks.

Is staining brick better than painting?

Generally speaking, it’s probably better to stain brick than paint it. Although you may want a paint job for aesthetic reasons, the reality is that staining is better because it doesn't trap water. The stain will also protect the wall from the natural elements and offer a new color without changing the natural texture of the surface.

The cost of painting a brick home is considerably more than staining, falling between $3,500 and $10,500

Can you stain bricks a different color?

There are different brick stains available in a wide range of colors. Popular options include charcoal stains that add darkness to the brick or terracotta stain that brightens up the red in the brick. You might also opt for a classic white or blue stain for a classy look. You can stain bricks from light to dark and dark to light colors.

What type of stain is best for brick?

The most common choice is water-based stains rather than oil-based stains. Oil-based stains require a primer and are harder to work with. Water-based stains are easier to work with and offer breathability.

There are also premixed stains with sealants. This type of stain isn’t necessarily recommended; sometimes, the sealant can cause water damage due to it creating a vapor barrier, reducing or even stopping water evaporation.