Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Painted Brick?




We are supplying prefabricated brick jack arches to an Eya townhouse project near the navy yard in the up-and-coming part of Washington D.C. near Nationals park. The masonry contractor is Keller Construction. The townhouses are 100% sold even though the buyers can't move in until 2012!

http://www.eya.com/capitol_quarter



The candy colors are painted on after the final masonry wash down by a painting company. There is something about painting a new brick house that bugs me. Is this a new trend or are they going for some Washington D.C. historical charm? I have no idea how the paint effects the natural moisture barrier brick provides. One of the advantages of masonry is it allows the building to breathe and moisture can escape. The paint may lock moisture in the air cavity causing mold and acctually suffocate the building.

Plus it looks like Martha's Vineyard, a little too cute for my taste.