German Schmear Will Give Your Bricks Old-World Character—Here's What to Know Before Using It

If you own a brick house, count yourself lucky. You can look forward to decades of durability and low-maintenance care. The look of certain bricks, however, can fall out of fashion—and this has more to do with color trends than with the building material itself. Though bricks naturally come in many colors, all are in the earthy color palette, from browns and reds to taupes and whites.

No matter what color your brick home is, you don’t have to feel stuck with a brick facade that you don’t love—and that goes for bricks inside your home, as well. There are materials and techniques that you can employ to change the look. One application is called German schmear, which can be used on exterior brick, interior brick walls, and fireplaces. Ahead, we spoke with an expert to learn what German schmear is, how it's different from other applications like limewash, and where you can apply it around your own home.

What Is German Schmear?

German schmear is a mortar-wash technique where you spread (or in German, "schmear") a layer of watered-down mortar over brick, wiping some of it back before it dries. "German schmear is an excellent application for both indoor and outdoor brick surfaces, depending on the design goals," says Isfera Jensen, CEO and principal designer at Nufacet Interiors. 

The result is a rustic look that mutes the color and the shape of the bricks. Mortar wash can give brick an aged appearance, as it softens the uniformity in the grid lines of a machine-made brick wall.

How thick you want to smear on the mortar is up to you. "German schmear allows for a level of customization in terms of coverage, ranging from a light coat to a heavier, textured-looking finish," says Jensen. Layer it densely, and it can almost cover most of the surface of the brick, successfully muting the color. Plus, you can experiment with color further by tinting the mortar.

The Difference Between German Schmear, Whitewash, and Limewash

German schmear is by no means the only way to change the look of brick. Paint and limewash applications are also common. The main difference between the three is coverage, permanence, and durability.

“Whitewash and limewash can be applied in multiple coats, but the coverage tends to be more uniform, with less texture, compared to German schmear,” says Jensen. “Other key differences lie in the durability and maintenance requirements. While German schmear can weather a bit over many years, it tends to be permanent and highly durable. Whitewash and limewash, most likely, will require touch-ups and maintenance over the same period." Here are some of the key characteristics of each type of brick application:

• Limewash: Limewash is the most natural and least invasive—a mixture of ground limestone and water that can be tinted and used to lightly coat brick. It’s easily removed, should you change your mind.
• Whitewash: Whitewash is a thin, water-based paint that can tone down the saturation of color in brick, though much of the original color will show through. It lasts about five to seven years before you need to reapply it.
• German schmear: German schmear is an application of watered-down mortar. So, it has more texture than either paint or limewash, is considered permanent, and is not easily removed. It can have a splotchy appearance, whereas the other washes look more like paint.

Where to Apply German Schmear in Your Home

German schmear can be used on any exterior brick where you’re going for a European or stone-cottage look, as it blurs grid lines between bricks and gives them a rustic look. For example, it can help make a 1980s brick ranch more resemble a French country manor if that’s what you’re going for. 

The technique can also be used on interior brick walls, kitchen backsplashes, or, more commonly, to change the look of a fireplace, though some designers prefer to keep German schmear to exterior brick. "While it's an acceptable technique to be used indoors, interior spaces generally benefit from a smoother, more refined look of a limewash or whitewash," says Jensen.

German schmear is a good option if your design theme is cottage-style or rustic farmhouse, but you might want to think twice about using it if you have a modern, traditional, or contemporary home.

What to Know Before You Apply German Schmear

The technique should be considered permanent—once dried and set, the mortar isn't easily removed. "While it can be removed, German schmear requires a more invasive approach for removal than the other application techniques," says Jensen. "Stripping its surface will require the use of chemicals, sandblasting, or grinding of the material." You may need to hire a professional, she points out. So if you think you could change your mind down the line, limewash or whitewash may be the better alternative.

If you're certain that you want the rustic look of German schmear, you will need to start with clean brick, as mortar won’t adhere well to a painted surface. And you’re better off purchasing a premixed blend than trying to mix it yourself. Mortar is made of Portland cement, lime, and sand in exact proportions, thinned with water. If your ratio is even slightly off, the mortar could fail and break up. Premixes are widely available in white and gray, but you can purchase color additives to produce other shades.