Brooklyn walls come in a few main types. Brownstone and limestone fronts face the row house blocks. Brick is everywhere. Older frame houses carry wood clapboard or shingles, often hidden under vinyl or aluminum siding added later. Stucco is common on houses in the south of the borough.
Price ranges on this page are national figures published by HomeGuide for 2026. They are not our quotes. Brooklyn labor, parking, walk-up access, building rules and the condition of your own walls move the number up or down. Last checked October 2026.
Is painting brick a bad idea, and does it trap moisture?
Painting brick can trap moisture if the wrong paint is used or the wall is damp. Brick takes in water and has to let it out again. A thick sealing film holds water inside, and winter frost then pushes the paint and the brick face off. A breathable masonry paint or mineral coating on a dry, sound wall avoids this.
Paint is also close to permanent on brick. HomeGuide lists brick paint removal at $1.50 to $9.50 per square foot.
Should I paint my brick or leave it natural?
Leave it natural if the brick is in good shape and has never been painted. Unpainted brick needs almost no upkeep. Brick that is already painted should be kept painted, with a masonry paint. In a historic district, painting unpainted masonry needs a Landmarks Preservation Commission permit first.
Can a brownstone front be painted?
It can, but it is rarely the right fix. Brownstone is a soft sandstone that flakes when water gets behind the face. Paint hides the damage for a short time and can make it worse. Failing brownstone is patched or resurfaced by a mason. We paint the parts around it: cornice, windows, doors and ironwork.
What paint is best on wood siding, and will paint fix dry cracked wood?
A top-line acrylic paint over an oil or acrylic primer is best on wood siding. Paint will not fix dry, cracked wood. It fills hairline checks, but split or cupped clapboards keep moving and break the film. Those boards are replaced or repaired first, and all bare wood is primed.
How much to paint a cedar shingle house?
No separate figure is published for a cedar shingle house. Wood siding as a whole is listed at $1.50 to $5.00 per square foot nationally. Shingles take more paint and more time than flat boards, because of the rough face and the gaps between them. Shingle houses in Flatbush and Ditmas Park are often stained with a solid stain instead of painted.
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes, you can paint vinyl siding if it is clean, sound and not brittle. It needs a paint labeled for vinyl. The national figure is $1 to $3 per square foot. Paint on vinyl is listed as lasting 5 to 10 years.
Can vinyl siding be painted a darker color, or will it warp?
A much darker color can make vinyl warp. Dark colors take in more heat from the sun, and the panels buckle. Stay with a color no darker than the original, or use a paint line made in vinyl-safe darker colors.
Does painting vinyl siding void the warranty?
It can. Many siding makers limit or cancel the warranty once the panels are painted. Read your warranty or call the maker before you decide. On older siding the warranty has often run out anyway.
Can you paint aluminum siding?
Yes. Aluminum siding takes paint well once the chalky old finish is washed off and any bare metal is primed. The national figure is $1 to $4 per square foot. Many Brooklyn frame houses got aluminum siding decades ago, and painting it is a common way to refresh them.
Can you paint stucco, and what paint sticks to it?
Yes, you can paint stucco. Acrylic masonry paint sticks well to clean, cured stucco, and elastomeric paint bridges fine cracks. HomeGuide notes elastomeric costs $900 to $2,000 more than acrylic on a 2,000 square foot house. Stucco soaks up paint, so it takes more gallons than smooth siding.
Do hairline cracks in stucco need fixing first?
Yes. Hairline cracks are filled with a flexible masonry patch or bridged with elastomeric paint before the finish coat. Wider cracks, hollow areas and bulges are stucco repairs. Painting over them only hides a leak path.
How often does stucco need painting?
Stucco needs painting about every 5 to 7 years, by the national figure. Walls that face the weather, and houses near the water, come up sooner.
A free estimate with a written quote is the only way to get a real price for your job. Call or text (917) 746-3274.