What's the best (economical) way to give my brick home a stucco look? The brick is from 1967 and is in good shape. i don't necessarily need real stucco, but I want an economical way to give the house the stucco appearance.

Thanks

In a word, stucco. Synthetic stucco costs as much or more as real stucco,

Thanks for the reply. What are your thoughts on painting the brick a stucco color?

If you use the right paint, it's not a bad idea. I happen to like painted brick. In colonial times, when bricks were very porous, they were almost always painted, to seal the outer surface.

However, today the opposite problem exists. We want moisture to be able to escape from within the wall, because today's face bricks are more weatherproof. There is a coating called "Acra-Lastic", which will repel water even from a fire hose, but will still allow moisture to pass through it and out of the wall. Normal paint will tend to blister and peel when there is moisture behind it trying to escape.

Acra-Lastic will last something like 15 years without recoating. It's made by MAB Paints in Pennsylvania. There may also be similar products by other manufacturers. The generic name is "acrylic latex elastomeric coating".

Just to clarify - you CAN use stucco over brick? We have just purchased a 35 yr old home, and I would like to get rid of some of the dark brick.

Yes, stucco can be applied over brick. Metal lath is attached to the brick surface, and the normal three-coat process of stucco application follows.

Careful attention must be paid to the details at windows, doors and other openings, and weep holes in the bricks must somehow be extended through the stucco.

Thank you. I appreciate the advise! Have a good day.

Okay, so here is the next question.....can cultured stone be placed over bricks??? Thanks for your input!

Anyone??