The Highlights
- Limewashing (lime-washing or lime washing) is a decorative finish used on both interior and exterior surfaces to give them a soft, aged, and weathered appearance. It’s become more popular in recent years as homeowners turn to environmentally friendly or natural decorative looks.
- Made of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) and water, it reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form a durable, breathable layer of calcium carbonate on the surface. It’s most often used on brick, but it can be applied to other surfaces as well.
- We provide limewashing services in the Milwaukee-Madison region, with deep experience and a range of options (from lightly patina’d to an opaque limewash finish) to help you transform your home’s exterior with care, turning it into a unique reflection of your personal style.
Limewashing: An Ancient Technique for Modern Spaces

Limewashing is a traditional decorative technique that transforms surfaces with a unique, soft, and weathered look. It involves applying a mixture of calcium hydroxide and water to surfaces like brick, stone, plaster, and even wood. When applied, limewash dries and reacts with carbon dioxide in the air to form a durable, breathable layer of calcium carbonate. This natural process results in a matte, chalky finish that many people love for its aesthetic appeal, but also allows the underlying material to breathe, preventing moisture buildup and promoting a healthier environment.
For that reason, it’s a go-to for brick houses and as an alternative to a painted brick house.
The origins of limewashing date back thousands of years. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all used lime-based coatings to protect and beautify buildings. In medieval Europe, for instance, limewashing was a common practice for practical and decorative purposes, providing a protective barrier against the elements while brightening and sanitizing spaces long before modern painting materials or techniques. Thanks to its simplicity and wide availability of materials (plus some inherent antimicrobial properties), it was great for private and communal spaces.
In recent years, lime washing has come through a remarkable resurgence in popularity, driven largely by an appreciation for sustainable building practices or materials, plus a love of this down-to-earth look. Limewashed surfaces add character, warmth, and a sense of history to modern spaces, making them a fun addition to homes throughout our area.
What Is Limewashing?
Alright, so what is lime wash? Made of hydrated lime – also called slaked lime, crushed lime, or calcium hydroxide – the material goes on wet with a brush, then dries to a chalky, matte finish.
Our approach to lime washing includes:
- Slaked Lime (Calcium Hydroxide): This is the main component. It’s derived from limestone (calcium carbonate) that has been heated to produce quicklime (calcium oxide) and then mixed with water to create slaked lime.
- Water: Used to dilute the slaked lime to the desired consistency.
- Pigments (Optional!): Natural or synthetic pigments can be added to the mixture to achieve a variety of colors. Be careful, as these pigments need to be compatible with lime to ensure they blend well and maintain their color over time.
Is “Lime Washed” the Same as “White Wash”?
Broadly speaking, these are the same thing. BUT, we often think of a true “whitewash” as a half-and-half mixture of water and limewash or paint that sits on top of brick to provide a see-through, translucent finish. It does not always completely cover the brick, while limewash generally does.
Limewash brick can be done thick enough to prevent visibility of the brick (two or more coats), or thin enough (one coat, or less!) to allow the brick color to peak through.
Most important, if you’re hiring out the work of painting brick or limewashing, make sure you specify the type of final limewashed brick you’re striving for. A single coat with an antique effect will look quite different from a thick limewash covering of two coats or more.
How To Limewash Brick
For this conversation, we’ll mostly cover limewash for red brick, white brick, or other masonry surfaces, though a lime wash can be applied to a range of surfaces. Here’s how this eco-friendly product works. Considering the painting process, using a paint sprayer can significantly speed up the process and help achieve a beautifully distressed look with ease.
Ingredients and Preparation
The cornerstone of limewash, slaked lime, is derived from crushed limestone that has been heated to produce quicklime (calcium oxide). It’s known for its durability and natural antiseptic properties, and you can buy it at most masonry supply stores, paint stores, and maybe even your local hardware store (call ahead).
Mix with water to achieve the right consistency – thick enough to remain in place once applied (for full coverage with no visibility beneath), or a little runny for a more antiqued, translucent finish. The ratio of water to slaked lime will need to be adjusted depending on your desired thickness and opacity.
While traditional limewash has a classic, chalky white appearance, adding natural or synthetic pigments can introduce a range of colors. Natural earth pigments are a popular choice for a more authentic limewash finish look. Ask your hardware store or supplier about the right options for your masonry surface.
Application Process
Applying limewash starts with a good surface, and now’s the time to address problems with your home’s exterior or interior. Patch natural brick damage, replace failing grout, and tackle trim repairs now before getting too far into the whole process. Go over every square inch now to find problem areas – not when you’re 8 feet up on a ladder with a wet brush.
Then, clean your surface! For interior surfaces, that may be as simple as wiping down with a wet rag, while exteriors may do well with a good power washing.
Next, mix your lime wash. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions specific to your limewash. Because of how much limewash you’ll go through, you’ll want to do this outdoors with a 5-gallon bucket or two, plus a garden hose on-hand for cleanup.
Before applying, give your limewash a final stir. Test a small area on your surface to ensure the consistency and color are to your liking. Then, adjust with more water or pigment if necessary.
Apply your first coat of limewash using a paint sprayer for a more efficient and easy application, or with a good masonry brush for those who prefer a more hands-on approach. A paint sprayer can significantly speed up the process and help achieve a distressed look, while a thick nap may be required to penetrate well (a brick house will soak up a lot of limewash!). Depending on the look you’re going for, you’ll spend considerable time getting into the masonry lines between bricks.
Let your limewash dry. With the first coat on, you’ll find that limewash dries quickly in direct sunlight, and you may be able to begin a second coat within the same day.
Suitable Surfaces for Limewash
Limewash works on all kinds of surfaces, though the look can change depending on thickness and surface material. Ideal surfaces for limewashing include: brick, stone, plaster, concrete, wood, and adobe. Brick and stone benefit from limewash’s ability to allow moisture to evaporate, reducing mold and mildew risk. Plaster pairs well with limewash for a cohesive, breathable finish. Concrete surfaces look great with a rustic charm, while wood surfaces like fences and barns can gain a unique, aged look with proper preparation. Adobe structures, common in southwestern architecture, are also excellent candidates, with limewash enhancing their “earthy” appeal and providing some weather protection.
Benefits of Limewashing Brick Or Other Masonry Surfaces
Limewash is great for some people! If you like the look, and you like the following, it’s worth considering for your whole house! Limewash benefits from:
Breathability:
It allows moisture to evaporate, reducing mold and mildew risk and preventing potential damage from trapped moisture.
Aesthetic Appeal:
It makes for a unique, matte finish that ages like fine wine, adding character and a sense of history to spaces or structures.
Eco-Friendly:
It’s made from natural, non-toxic materials with no harsh chemicals, making it a sustainable choice for interior and exterior applications.
Antimicrobial Properties:
It actually has natural antimicrobial properties that help protect surfaces from fungi and bacteria!
Structural Integrity:
Particularly beneficial for older buildings, it can help maintain the structural integrity by allowing the material to breathe.
Maintenance and Longevity of Lime Wash
Limewash is known for its impressive durability and low-maintenance requirements, making it a great choice for long-term and outdoor applications. But know this: over time, limewash weathers naturally, developing a patina that many think enhances its rustic charm.
Unlike synthetic paints, it does not peel or flake because it penetrates the surface rather than forming a superficial layer. This means that, even as it ages, it retains its bond with the underlying material.
Maintenance of limewash involves occasional refreshing of the limewash coat, which is straightforward and shouldn’t require extensive preparation. A new coat can be applied directly over the existing layer after cleaning the surface
DIY Limewash or Hire It Out?
The age-old question: try to do your own limewash or hire it out?
At Culver’s Painting, we work with our dedicated limewash specialist for limewash application in Milwaukee and Madison. While it sounds easy – and grizzled weekend warriors might find this to be a fun project – most homeowners want perfect curb appeal the first time.
If you’re looking for a limewash professional in the Milwaukee area, give us a call!
Additional Resources on Lime Washing
- This video from Romabio does a concise job of explaining how to apply their Classico Limewash.
- Romabio Classico Limewash is a common limewash solution