Painting Your Breeze Blocks

At High Demand Restoration we are constantly looking for new ways our customers can add value to their properties. Whether its their home, an investment or even a commercial premises we know how important it is to increase property value and desirability.

What are breeze blocks?

Breeze blocks, also known as cinder blocks or concrete masonry units, are lightweight, and decorative concrete blocks commonly used in construction. These blocks are often used in walls, foundations, and partitions.

In addition to their practical applications in construction, breeze blocks are also favoured for their aesthetic appeal in certain design contexts, such as decorative screens or outdoor garden walls. While they were more commonly used in industrial, commercial, or residential buildings, their versatility also extends to creative architectural projects.

Rise of the Breeze Block

Does your home have existing breeze blocks? You will be happy to know breeze blocks are having a huge resurgence over the last few years with many developers or renovators incorporating them into their buildings to add structural interest and texture. Breeze blocks originally came on the scene in the 1930s and gained a lot of popularity in the 1950s and 60s. And now they are back bring art deco flair and character to newer builds.

For me, this material adds a glory days of Hollywood or a Palm Springs vibe to your home. A look which brings a lot of nostalgia and wonder.

In Australia we are seeing that some older homes that haven't been aggressively renovated still retain their original breeze blocks. While some older homes have seen these removed, those who have left them may be happy to know the breeze block is very fashionable and a great character element.

Do your Breeze Blocks Need Painting?

While a number of older homes may have breeze blocks present we are seeing that they are often completely unpainted, or at the very least they are in need of desperate painting and restoration. If unpainted and in their original condition breeze blocks will be a dull grey and often have some level of cracking due to movement in the structure over time.

Once Painted

While you can certainly paint your Breeze Blocks any colour depending on the look and feel you are after, we have found that simply painting them white is a reliable way to enhance your breeze blocks. White really brings that 50-60s vibe and allows the breeze block and its details to be he the hero. When painting, we firstly address any cracking or damage, seal the concrete and then paint with a high grade paint. If you do plan take on this job yourself remember that breeze blocks have a huge surface area due to all the holes and details making them very time consuming to paint and require more materials than you might anticipate.

Happy Restoring!