Brick Mismatch Problems? Here’s the Permanent Fix

Written by Ryan Wells, Director Specialty Coatings and Restoration Division, and Hugh McLaurin IV, President Palmetto State Exteriors

Brick has been a cornerstone of American construction since the early 1600s, introduced by European settlers and still trusted today as one of the most durable, timeless façade systems for protecting both residential and commercial structures.

Yet despite its reliability, brick presents one persistent challenge: color mismatches.Whether you’re renovating, replacing storm-damaged brick, tying in a room addition, or inspecting a newly built home, unexpected color variation is one of the most common frustrations across the industry.

Most people assume the only solution is to demo and replace entire sections of masonry—an expensive, disruptive process. But there’s a better answer.

At Palmetto State Exteriors, we evaluate mismatched masonry every day. And the good news is this: you don’t have to tear anything down.

Professional mineral-based brick staining can permanently blend new and existing brick so seamlessly that even seasoned builders and masons struggle to spot the transition.

Why Brick Colors Vary?

Brick is a natural product, made from the Southeast’s abundant clay, shale, and mineral deposits. Because of this, no two production runs—or even individual bricks—are ever perfectly identical. Common causes of mismatch include:

1. Manufacturing Variations:   

Even though manufacturers’ runs are supervised under tight specifications, the slightest differences in firing temperature, mineral content, manufacturing location, or moisture levels can alter the final brick color.  One batch may lean warmer or cooler, lighter or darker than another.

2. Limited Availability of Older Brick Styles: 

 Manufacturers discontinue lines regularly, making perfect matches nearly impossible.

3. Mortar Influences Perceived Color:

Mortar accounts for roughly 20% of the masonry surface, so its color has a huge influence on the overall appearance. Also, on-site blending of sand, water, and cement introduces many variables. A slight change in mix proportions, sand color, or curing conditions can produce noticeable variation.

Because brick is porous and naturally varied, even small differences can stand out dramatically on new construction, repairs, renovations, and additions.

Why Paint Is NOT the Answer?

Don’t run to the latex or acrylic paints to solve your mismatch issue.  These paints trap moisture inside the brick. Over time, this causes:

• Peeling 

• Blistering 

• Mold growth 

• Spalling or brick damage 

  
  

In the humid Southeast—especially South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina—these failures happen even faster.

The Permanent Fix: Mineral-Based Brick Staining

Unlike paint, mineral stains penetrate the brick and bond chemically, preserving breathability while delivering long-lasting, natural color.

This method:

• Matches brick tone, shading, and depth 

• Works on individual bricks or entire walls 

• Allows precise artistic blending 

• Will not peel or trap moisture 

• Lasts decades with minimal maintenance 

This is the exact technique our team uses to correct mismatched brick for builders, homeowners, insurance adjusters, and commercial clients across the Southeast.

Why Palmetto State Exteriors Is the Southeast’s Brick Staining Leader?

With over 100 years of combined experience, our artisans specialize in:

• Complex color matching 

• Large-scale commercial corrections 

• Residential additions 

• Insurance-driven rebuilds 

• Mortar toning 

• Restoring uniformity to aging or weathered façades 

Our mineral stains come with industry-leading —and the results speak for themselves.

Ready to Fix Your Brick—Permanently?

You shouldn’t have to live with a patchy façade or mismatched addition. Let our team restore visual harmony to your home or building with expert brick staining that blends seamlessly and lasts.

Your exterior deserves craftsmanship—not compromise.

RESTORE | RENEW | PROTECT

Stayed Tuned for Our Next Article

Our upcoming article dives into the science behind limewash vs. paint—what lasts, what fails, and what every homeowner, builder, and architect should know before coating masonry. Be sure to check back.