A mason should know the technique by the traditional term, "bagging" or "bag rendering". To my knowledge it doesn't have much in common with troweled multi-coat stucco on metal lath.

Here is a link that might be useful: bagging

Thank you! Honestly, I have no idea how it would hold up in your climate. It is similar to the "bagging" mightyanvil posted.

The mason worked quickly, from top to bottom and did not lap over sections. They wet the brick with water applied on a large brush. While the brick is still wet, they took the mortar mix and applied it with another large brush.

I've forgotten if they gave me a recipe for the mixture - will have to look back at my notes/folder. Our retaining wall with the stone columns was sanded for a smoother look - it's over poured concrete.

The mortar mix can be applied as heavy as you want. We wanted our brick to show through as it's tumbled and has character. Our builder has it thicker on his own home and you don't see the brick at all.

Mightyanvil, thank you for taking time to respond and for the bagging link which I will foward to our mason. I also respect and value your expertise. Would you consider this application a sound decision since this would be our mason's first attempt with "bagging"? Do you believe "bagging" should be avoided in our northern Indiana climate?

Allison, Again, thank you for your quick response. We will look forward to any information you can share with us. Viewing the back of your home during construction, did the mortar dry to an even tone or in varying shades? Thank you!!

You're welcome.

It dried to an even tone. There are a few places where they lapped over - but it doesn't look bad in person. Tends to show up in photographs better. fyi, this was not the first time the brickmasons had done a mortar wash.

Found note from brickmason:

"2 parts sand to 1 part cement. Mix in wheelbarrow. Soupy mix. Dries quickly, so work small areas quickly."

We used the same mortar mix for laying the brick and washing the house. I don't think you have to, but if done in a full coverage, then difference might show through.

After it was applied, but it is dried. Ignore the tree shadows:

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Allison,

Did you pick / add a colour to the sand and cement mix?

We used a pre-tinted mortar (to lay brick and mortar wash the house). Nothing was added.

He probably should have written down "1 part pre-tinted mortar (bag)" instead of "cement." Sorry for any confusion.

Allison, Thank you for taking time out of your day to locate the magic recipe! That is one grand home, nicely done. Did you use the same style/color brick on the body as found in the arches and under the windows? How could a girl not love pulling up to that home at the end of her day! Thank you

You're welcome. I find it hard to leave and don't on most days. We went out on Tuesday for early dinner and I hadn't been out of the house since Saturday. lol

We used a different brick on the house. The arch brick (Old Cahaba) was more expensive and not enough was available at the time, even if we wanted to. I'm not sure DH would have let me smear mortar over it either! The brick was used in the arches and under the doors/windows. We used real stone over the doors and windows.

I selected the brick based on quantity available and it was tumbled, so it gave me the look I wanted.

Here's a photo pre-mortar wash. It made the back look too Tudorish to me. DH, the brickmasons and builder did not want me to go ahead with the mortar wash, but the brick looked horrible with the stone garage and front of house. Afterwards, everyone agreed it was the right thing to do.

Against the stone. GC is looking at the front veranda that was just done.

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After, no question it was the right thing to do. Above the bench, you can see one of the lines I was talking about. Much worse in photos than in real life.

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I've grew up in St. Louis and got my fill of plain brick as a youth so the best thing I could say about bagging is that it would probably greatly improve the appearance of any ordinary brickwork but I wouldn't use it on something like Kane-Gonic waterstruck brick commonly seen in historic New England buildings.

I think the washed out brick looks dynamite.

Thanks for posting.

So would it be more cost effective to get a less expensive brick, then pay someone to do a mortar finishing technique?

I posted an entry question at top of forum, which relates to this. We are struggling with mortar washing, mortar smearing, mortar uncut, too many options! I hadn't even heard of the "bagging " term around here yet. Will have to google some more.

Here is a house I have posted before with some sort of technique, don't know what this is called or if it is even mortar.

I have seen the brick in the neighborhood without this technique and it does not look at all this "rich".

I think the finishes add character and can really make a house more appealing!

Allison,
Just a note of thanks for the "before and after" photos. Very enlightening. Brave girl to override three men! Hope you'll be willing to continue to guide us on mortar wash and related exterior issues as construction of our home progresses. Thanks again.

Mightyanvil, I am sure that McKim, Mead, White and the entire Cambridge Historical Society would be none to pleased if one would cover Kane-Gonic waterstruck brick with a mortar wash or water colors for that matter!!

Brave men to doubt Allison's vision. ;)

Y'all are too funny, especially Miss Dannie Gal. ; ) Besides, it was more like 5 or 6 men. I don't remember how many of the brickmasons were saying "no! no!" At least the owner and his two sons.

You're more than welcome, llt58.