Limewash and Whitewash | Charles Graves Painting Company

Limewash and Whitewash

We are Charles Graves Painting Company, ROMABIO's #1 preferred limewash specialist in Northern VA, and proud to use their excellent products. Our company is well-versed in Limewash, Whitewash, Lime Slurry, and masonry techniques. Our limewash process starts with us confirming your preferred exact design style, and also allows for customer feedback during process to fine-tune how you want the limewash to look in general or around specific areas. Our team of artists listens, adapts, and modifies the finished art to fit your needs. We also service Fairfax, Burke, Springfield, McLean, Clifton, Arlington, Alexandria, Reston, Ashburn, Gainesville, Annandale, Manassas, Woodbridge, Warrenton, and all NOVA/DMV cities!

We offer a wide range of limewash finishes tailored to your exact style. Whether you're looking for a distressed limewash look, a solid finish, or something in between, we can customize the water percentage and application technique to achieve the perfect opacity, coverage, and texture. From modern limewash to rustic and heavily distressed finishes, we can recreate your vision, including German schmear and other signature looks. Just show us a picture of your idea, and we’ll bring it to life! As proud partners of Romabio Limewash and Sherwin-Williams Paint Stores, we use only the highest quality materials to ensure a stunning result. Our team offers free estimates and the highest quality work in Northern Virginia, guaranteed

Click here to call us today- 703-953-4631!

If you’ve been looking for the best limewash company in Northern Virginia, Charles Graves Painting Company is here to exceed your expectations. Our skilled team brings years of experience in limewash brick transformations in Northern VA, from historic exteriors to modern new builds. We take pride in being a ROMABIO limewash contractor near you, offering a variety of finishes that set us apart from standard painting services. We provide professional limewash services to all of Northern Virginia, including McLean, Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax Station, Great Falls, Ashburn, Tysons, Warrenton, Bristow, Oakton, Reston, Herndon, and every major city in Northern Virginia.

One of the most common questions we hear is: “How much does limewash cost in Northern Virginia?” Each project varies, but we always provide a free, detailed estimate so you have an exact, guaranteed price. We carefully evaluate factors like the condition of your brick or masonry, the desired opacity, and any special techniques such as German Schmear. We specialize in all Romabio product application, including Limewash / lime wash, masonry flat, or lime slurry. Whether you need a white brick limewash service or prefer a rustic, distressed look, our team ensures the outcome fits both your vision and your goals. Give us a call at 703-953-4631, if you would like to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate! Our pricing is fair, and quality very high. :)

Curious about whitewash vs limewash in Northern VA? While both techniques can give your brick a beautiful, refreshed appearance, limewash is the superior product- it uses slaked lime as the binder, and offers a natural, breathable coating. As it's made from natural limestone, and ages gracefully. It also allows for creative design control: we can adjust water ratios, thickness, and coverage to achieve everything from a light wash to a solid, classic coat. As professional limewash painters in Northern VA, we’re happy to consult with you on the best method for your home’s unique style and architectural elements.

Our reputation as limewash painting experts in Northern VA has grown thanks to hundreds of satisfied clients throughout Fairfax, McLean, Arlington, Alexandria, Great Falls, and beyond. We love turning dull brick into stunning focal points, whether it’s an exterior limewash painting service for a rustic farmhouse aesthetic or a more modern approach for contemporary homes. Our meticulous process includes cleaning and prepping surfaces, mixing custom tints, and applying multiple layers to achieve the perfect final look. Our limewasher artist is the very best.

At Charles Graves Painting, we understand that when it comes to your home, every detail matters—especially the quality and craftsmanship of limewash. With over a decade of experience and more than 500 successfully transformed homes in Northern Virginia, including those of prominent athletes and local celebrities, our reputation speaks for itself. Some may ask themselves...

Why Choose Charles Graves Painting for Your Limewash Needs?

1) Our dedication to excellence not only enhances the curb appeal of your home but can significantly increase its market value, as demonstrated by properties like the one below, which sold for $1.3 million over its purchase price just a month after our limewash work was completed. Our work is renowned in the area, and it SELLS.

2) We are Romabio's #1 preferred vendor for the entire VA / DC / MD area. And Romabio, from Italy, is the best limewash product on the planet. Romabio recommends us directly as their top vendor, and Romabio routinely comments and shows some love directly on our instagram page as well, praising our work- we have a long-standing professional relationship with them. (See photos below) When the biggest and best limewash vendor in the entire world, highlights your work personally, that is a huge compliment- and also a very safe bet for you, as a homeowner, that you'll love the end result :)

3. Choosing the Right Limewash Expert

"Can anyone do limewash?" While many might think "Yes," the reality is far more complex. Limewash is not merely a painting job; it's an intricate art that demands specific skills in chemistry, mixture techniques, application methods, and custom artistic distressing. It requires prior knowledge and training about what water % and what techniques will achieve desired outcomes. You do not want your expensive home's brick to become a "test canvas". Unfortunately, 99% of painters and even painting companies, though well-meaning, lack the necessary training and experience. As a result, they realize too late that they're out of their depth, often leading to irreversible damage to the brickwork. What's worse, some companies misleadingly use stock or borrowed (fake) photos to secure contracts, risking your investment on unverified skills.

In short: You need a company that specializes in professional limewash application, that has a designated limewash artist. (We do.) Make sure you check photos of their work- and make sure they personally are standing in a lot of their limewash photos, to ensure that it is actually their work. (We do.) Make sure they show you a physical, paper copy of their license and insurance. (We do.)

A Real-World Cautionary Tale

One of our clients experienced this scenario firsthand. The client initially hired another local, licensed painting company that lacked genuine limewash expertise and even used misleading photos. The other company's poor "finished" job terrified the homeowners, prompting an urgent call to us the day after the client paid that other company. (See the other company's poor limewash job, in pics 3, 4, and 5 BELOW, starting from top-left, with the red text.) Fortunately, due to a re-schedule, we were able to respond immediately, sign a contract, and come out the next day. While we managed to fix the job beautifully (see below- pics 6 through 12 below), a small section at the top had been *brushed* by the other company 2 days prior to the other company spraying it on (both no-no's- limewash should not be sprayed, nor stop and start), so the top strip of the other company's improper limewash couldn't be removed, demonstrating the permanent nature of improperly applied limewash.

The art of limewash requires a deep understanding and skilled hand that only comes from high natural artistic talent, plus

specialized training and experience. Attempting this without the necessary skills can lead to costly repairs or even the need to paint over (which is unappealing) or replace bricks, which can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, replacing brick on a typical 2,500 square foot home can cost between $25,000 to $60,000, and $80,000-$100,000+ for structural work. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about maintaining the structural integrity and value of your home.

The Importance of Expertise

Many of our emergency calls come from homeowners who've hired contractors without the required limewash skills and talent. Limewash cures by carbonation within about 5-6 days, setting permanently into the brick. Once cured, removing or correcting it requires specialized techniques that not every painter can handle. It bears repeating: 99% of painters are NOT qualified to do custom/distressed limewash, which is an artistic finish requiring innate talent, artistic ability, & much training.

Thankfully, the client mentioned above didn’t have their brick permanently ruined, but they ended up paying TWICE for the same job. They weren't able to recover their initial payment from the first (not us) company, a financial loss on top of the stress and disappointment. However, many potential customers who called us to fix another company's work have not been so lucky- when we do not have open availability in time, they are left to experience the full and expensive consequences of an improper limewash application done by another company. At Charles Graves Painting, we have 17 full-time staff members, but only one expertly trained limewash artist — because limewash is an art that demands the highest level of skill, precision and care.

Free Estimates (exact price guaranteed!)

Class A Licensed (RBC, PTC, HIC) and Insured

Free Design Consultations

We fully protect your manmade surfaces + home

Revolutionary sign-off-sheet system

Free product recommendations and guidance

Locally Owned and Operated

Clear, prompt and friendly communication

Always on time!

Trained professional team + our renowned artist

Full 2-year warranty on all work

Family and woman co-owned business

100% satisfaction guarantee of all work

Highest quality limewashing in Northern Virginia

Why Choose Limewash Over Paint, for Exterior Brick?

Feature

Limewash

Paint

Breathability

Durability

Value to Home

Removal

Longevity

Mold Resistance

Look and Aesthetic

Eco-Friendly?

Very UV-resistant and insect-resistant

Typically greatly increases home's value

Can be removed if needed, w/in 5 days

Can last 15-20 years

Naturally mold-inhibitive

Customizable, timeless, and classy

Yes- allows brick to breathe

100% mineral/stone based & non-toxic

No- traps moisture (not ideal for brick)

Fades; requires special additive for insects

Permanent upon application

Needs repainting in 10-15 years

Standard brick paint doesn't raise value

Requires special additives for this effect

Uniform... great for trim and siding though

Comes in both low-VOC and standard

What colors does limewash come in?

In Northern Virginia's vibrant cities such as McLean, Arlington, Great Falls, Alexandria, Ashburn, Fairfax, Warrenton, Vienna, and Tysons, homeowners who cherish a classic and elegant aesthetic on their exterior brick are increasingly turning to limewash. At Charles Graves Painting Company, we are proud to offer Romabio limewash, renowned for its superb natural and breathable qualities. Available in seven versatile base colors—Avorio White, Bianco White, Cristallo White, Riposo Beige, Nube Gray, Toscana Beige, and Tropea Beige—Romabio provides a perfect foundation for customization. We have the #1 limewasher artist in the entire DMV area, and a skilled supporting staff and professional management. When you are looking for the best limewashers in Northern VA, we are here for you!

For those desiring a specific shade, we excel in custom-tinting these bases to match any Benjamin Moore color, carefully adjusting with precise pigmentations and colorants to achieve your ideal hue. To guarantee the results meet your expectations, we recommend a preliminary sample application. This step allows you to confirm the color, opacity, and texture, ensuring the final outcome beautifully complements your home’s unique style. Choosing Charles Graves Painting for your limewash project means ensuring meticulous attention to detail and a tailored finish that enhances the charm and character of your Northern Virginia home. Whether you are in Gainesville, Bristow, Arlington, or Fairfax Station, we do the most beautiful limewash ever!