margin:0; It typically costs between $2-$4 per square foot to white wash your house. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It came out amazing. To create a heavily textured German smear, try adding less water. After mixing, splash or spray water on the brick. Using a trowel, smear on the grout filling all the joints and going over all the brick faces. By comparison, hiring a masonry contractor to apply German smear could cost anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500, depending on the going rate for masons in your region. Unlike paint or lime, mortar does not penetrate the brick but instead covers it and creates texture. Some apply watered-down latex paint to their red brick to get a distressed look. How do you do a German smear on an exterior brick? Limewash is a Calcium Hydroxide based paint which is hydrophilic. Learn more about our use of cookies: Vote for the best DIY wood project HERE! How much does it cost to German Schmear a fireplace? Mimic the look of old European cottages with the German smear technique by applying white mortar to create heavy grout lines, then smearing the excess mortar across the surface of the fireplace to create the illusion of imperfectly shaped bricks. Consider making some test batches of mortar and applying them to spare bricks before you start on the main project. MO- German Schmear was featured years ago on Joanna Gains house flipping show. Keep reading for some basic instructions on how to apply German Smear. Easy and affordable way to give your fireplace a MAJOR makeover. Tired of your old brick? So, depending on the look desired, a mixture of wet mortar is troweled or painted onto the surface of your brick. You dont want to add it to un-stained concrete as the process may cause the stained concrete to fade slightly. color:#dc2328; How to Do the German Schmear Technique on Your Brick Fireplace 1 - Make sure your fireplace is clean. Dont worry about the mortar washing off over time; its very difficult to remove dried mortar from brick, and the process usually involves extensive scrubbing with a chemical like muriatic acid. } .mgn-m-h a{ The German schmear is a mortar wash method that gives red or darkly colored brick a rugged, white tint. They can withstand the elements, many natural disasters, and even invasive insects. Fake brick paneling looks just like that - fake! And dont forget to follow us onInstagram,FacebookandPinterestfor your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration! I also. Some people use it to restore or repair old or broken masonry, and others use it simply for its unique aesthetic appeal, whether that's by repainting a brick fireplace or adding a lighter tone to an interior wall. One of them is if youre applying it to brick thats old and crumbling. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 American Farmhouse Style, 10 Styles of Farmhouse Brick for Your Home. Closeup of German smear on brick. German Schmear should be used on plain, untouched brickwork; it wont stick well to painted bricks. They dont give off any harmful fumes like most paints. It's a whitewashing technique that makes your stones look irregularly shaped and rough. It softens the color of your brickwork, or in some areas, covers it altogether, to achieve a weathered and distressed look. You dont have to seal it. Since you use mortar for binding the stones, then you can easily do everything to a stone that involves mortar. It involves applying a thin layer of mortar to the wall and then using a brush or trowel to create a textured surface. German smear uses white mortar, which is a combination of sand, water, and cement. } While there is a small learning curve, the German Smear usually can be a DIY project. The German Smear does not cause any damage to a stained concrete floor. If you take off a small amount of mortar from random bricks, youll end up with a softly muted look, since merely a hint of the original brick color will show through. Ready to give it a try? Spray the bricks with water from a garden hose if youre outside, and wipe a wet stucco sponge over the bricks if youre working on an interior wall or fireplace. You might be able to do the German Smear technique yourself. .mgn-m-b{ Thats why a lot of people leave important parts of their homes to the experts atAlexander and Xavier Masonry. Actually, the technique looks better if you smear in multiple directions. The German Schmear Technique is Flexible. Supplies needed for DIY German schmear: (2-3) 5-gallon . . That way, youll have the chance to remove some mortar to be able to create the look you want. Check out some pictures online of other homes with German Smear or check out ourmakeover guide here. I hope you find t. You will need to use a high pressure setting and hold the nozzle about a foot away from the surface of the bricks. For the full tutorial, pleas. For the mortar to adhere correctly, the brick needs to be clean. First combine the sanded grout with water and mix. What is a German schmear? Heres a quick video of David showing the technique. margin-right:1em; I did a lot of research before choosing these brick panels to use for this project. Among the variety of techniques, the German Smear really stands out. Take the flexible putty knife and get a good amount of joint compound and smear it on the wall in different directions. Consider making some test batches of mortar and applying them to. If you wipe it down with a wet cloth, give it enough time to dry afterwards before you stat applying the joint compound. Step 1: Scoop the Mortar into the 2-Gallon Bucket. German smear mimics the look of irregular stones and heavy mortar joints, a style often found on centuries-old cottages and castles throughout northern Germany.The technique is akin to whitewashing bricks, but instead of using diluted latex paint, homeowners coat the brick with a layer of wet mortar. Is it Really Possible to Cool Your Entire House? if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_0',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0');The German Schmear technique is a method of applying wet plaster to a wall in order to create a textured surface. color:#000000; 2021 Alexander and Xavier Masonry. font-weight:500; The materials youll need for the German Smear finish are common and available in most home improvement stores. Learn how to DIY with reclaimed wood here! The German Schmear was an easy technique to brighten up my dated stone fireplace. We would fill the grout lines of the brick with mortar. Whenever you can, put down the hammer and pick up some mortar instead; itll save you time and money, not to mention the results are breathtaking. Let me know what you think of the before and after. Scooping Mortar into Bucket. Then we would take the trowel and schmear the mortar over the brick. Move the nozzle in a back and forth motion until all of the dirt and grime is removed. Before applying the German smear, youll need to dampen the bricks to prolong the drying time of the mortar, allowing more leeway to perfect the finish. Painting Painting is exactly what it sounds like. .thb_header_left .mgn_r{ font-size:1.5em; Then, take your trowel and spread a thick layer of mortar onto the rock. There are no hard and fast rules for applying German Smear to your brick. Technique for German Schmear. While only a few people have stone homes, most of their fireplaces are made of stone. Easy, how to DIY German Schmear a brick fireplace using mortar. Well also give you some basic instructions on how to do your very own German Smear project and how to recoverGerman Smear gone wrong. After 20 or 30 years of seeing the same red bricks, sometimes you just want a change. Once it has dried, use a textured material to rub off the mortar in some areas. The mortar that was smeared on brick is permanent. Erin calls it the "German schmear technique," and the rest of the Bates clan looks at her like she's crazy. It should start to get stiff but not be dry enough that you can wipe some off with a wet sponge or wire brush. This gives it a rustic and kind of Old World look that never goes out of style. Photo: Zillow Digs home in New Orleans, LA. While applying the mortar and its still fresh, you can remove it. This is where the magic happens! Step 2. Written by MasterClass Last updated: Jul 26, 2021 3 min read Masonry contractors and handy DIYers use the mortar-based treatment known as German smear to revitalize old brick home exteriors or create a distressed appearance for a new faux brick or real brick surface. In a large bowl, mix together 1 part Portland cement, 1.5 parts hydrated lime, and 9 parts sand. Now for the fun part! See more ideas about exterior brick, house exterior, german smear brick. Google will give you tons of websites and Youtube videos for the process, and everyone seems to do it just a little differently. Since there are so many different looks that can be achieved, we always suggest you practice a little before moving on to your final project. What Is German Schmear? First, youll need to prep the brick for German smear. Put on old clothes, heavy rubber gloves, and protective goggles. Whats more, German smear isnt confined solely to home exteriors; some people update their interior brick walls and fireplaces using the technique. Advantage: Easy Maintenance: One of the best characteristics of a German smear finish is as it uses cement; once applied, it's a . Now its time to mix the dry mortar with water. It makes a house look like it is made of old cottage bricks with large mortar joints and stone-like bricks made from real stone. You can even apply German Smear to brick floors and evenstones! The concrete sealer will help stabilize the old brick so its imperfections wont affect the new mortar. It should start to get stiff but not be dry enough that you can wipe some off with a wet sponge or wire brush. After mixing, you splash or spray water on the brick. The supplies you will be needing are a bucket, sponge, stiff brush, nylon gloves, mortar and builder's paper. We did about a 50/50 ratio for my fireplace. If you're in the market for a fireplace, consider a german schmear stone fireplace. We used 4 sheets of brick paneling for both the accent wall and the backsplash, which cost $100. This will give you more time to work with the mortar before it dries. We recommend sealing your german schmear within 24-48 hours for the stain to fully set in the mortar. color:#dc2328; A power washer works great for this. I like to fold my bag down to prevent compound from getting all over the zipper. German Smear painting is to paint or partially cover a red brick wall using mortar to achieve a worn or distressed look. The main difference between German Smear and Whitewashed Brick or Limewashed Brick, is the materials used. We bought a 4.5 lb bucket of joint compound for $14.50 since we had several projects to use it on. Is German Schmear breathable? For this room I really wanted to try out something new and practice a technique in a small/less visible space before I tackle it someplace else much more visible (more on that projet later!!). There are a few main differences, though. } Usually somewhere between peanut butter and milkshake consistency is perfect. In this complete guide to the German Smear technique, youll learn more about German Smear and why you should consider it for your home. There are some significant differences. German smear is a technique used to create a decorative finish on masonry walls. German Schmear Origins But little do they know that the method, and Erin's way of saying it, are completely legit. For a thinner and more translucent texture, add more water. While the actual laying of brick requires a skilled mason, a handy DIYer can apply German smear with professional-grade quality. Is whitewash and German Schmear the same? Theres no need to remove hard water stains from the surfaceof the brick, because these wont impact the adherence of the mortar. Mailing Address: 2334 W Buckingham Rd #230-110 Garland TX 75042. Simply spray or wipe it down with water periodically to remove dust and dirt. Lets have a look at the German Smear technique and why you should seriously consider it for the red brick on your home. The result is charming exterior siding reminiscent of the Old World. So I wasn't rubbing with a sponge or really even touching the bricks at all. Other techniques use regular exterior paint thats usually been watered down. This whitewashing method coats bricks with a layer of wet (sometimes diluted) mortar instead of a typical paint. We build trusting relationships and deliver real value: craftsman-level work at reasonable prices. Oct 10 2016 - Explore Helen Plaisances board German smear technique followed by 340 people on Pinterest. Our site uses cookies. We'll show you how to do it in your own home if you want to give it a try! You can also use a hose and a stiff brush to make sure its free of dirt, dust, and organic matter like moss. Get notified about exclusive offers every week! All Rights Reserved. Today, we will take a look at the German smear technique. German Smear is a mortar and sand wash that can be applied in several different thicknesses to achieve the desired look. In a large bucket, mix white mortar and water. To create a heavily textured German smear, try adding less water. (In other words, a mortar wash.) You see more and more people are using this technique on homes that were built decades ago and some are even using it on newly constructed homes. What you need for a german schmear /whitewash stone fireplace update: Joint compound (under $10) Gallon zip lock bag. Depending on the look desired, a mixture of wet mortar is either painted or troweled onto the surface of your brick. Is your home in dire need of a unique but classy makeover? Use a fireplace cleaner and a scrub brush and water to remove any dirt, dust and grime from your brick. Typically a 70/30 mix mortar to water. You can apply this German Schmear tutorial to interior walls; in fact, its the style of old German castles and cottages that inspire this trendy home project. Because it is applied over bare wood, German smear does not require the use of a sealer. Its really an art, so there are no hard and fast rules. If you need to clean brick exterior, the best way to do it is with a power washer. Depending on the look you want, use the sponge, a trowel, or a paint roller to apply mortar to the wall. It has a nice creamy white color, and it . You know what looks absolutely stunning when paired with German Schmear? font-family:"museo-slab"; Sponge How to use the German Schmear Technique on Stone - Step 1 First, use your putty knife to scoop and add some joint compound into your plastic bag, just like you would frosting. Wed love to discuss ideas for your project and help you make it a reality. font-family:"myriad-pro-semi-condensed"; TheGerman Schmearfinish is a type of mortar wash. margin-top:1em; Bucket of water and sponge for clean up. Paint gives you the option to choose a specific color, although for a distressed look most will choose white. Related article: Useful guide forGerman Smear stone. NOTE: If this is your first time doing something like this, try it out in a smaller area first. I remember . Let us introduce to you the German smear technique. How much does it cost to white wash your house? However, just like any exterior paint, you will need to repaint every few years which will add more work andcostdown the road. A tutorial on how to do the German Schmear technique on a brick fireplace! For the mortar to adhere correctly, the brick needs to be squeaky clean. There are many videos showing techniques to do a German smear on a house, but all seem to leave out some crucial details. German smear is applied to masonry walls in a thick coat, which is then allowed to dry. The mortar wash doesnt completely cover all the brick. Check out this preview of Thursday's new episode.