German Smear finish styles

One craft. Five architectural directions.

Each finish style creates a different relationship between mortar, visible masonry, texture, and the architecture of the property.

Use these directions as a starting point. The final appearance is developed around the actual home and confirmed through the sample process.

Explore the finish collection

Find the direction that feels right for your home.

Compare the amount of visible brick, the visual weight of the mortar, and the character of the finished surface.

Completed residential brick exterior with a Traditional German Smear finish
01

Traditional Finish

Balanced mortar coverage that preserves meaningful brick variation and established architectural character.

Explore Traditional Finish
Completed residential brick exterior with a Slurry finish
02

Slurry Finish

A fuller mortar presence that creates a more continuous surface while retaining subtle brick reveals throughout.

Explore Slurry Finish
Completed residential brick exterior with a Mortar Wash finish
03

Mortar Wash Finish

A softened and cohesive direction that brings brick and mortar into a more unified architectural surface.

Explore Mortar Wash Finish
Completed residential brick exterior with a Rustic German Smear finish
04

Rustic Finish

More expressive texture and irregular movement for homes that support a visibly aged and artisan developed character.

Explore Rustic Finish
Completed brick exterior demonstrating the tonal direction possible with German Smear Enhanced
05

German Smear Enhanced

German Smear Enhanced begins by using a masonry stain to alter the base color of suitable brick before German Smear is applied. The stain provides 20 years or more of color performance while allowing the completed finish to retain the maintenance free qualities expected from German Smear. This creates finish combinations that may not be possible with the original brick color alone.

Explore German Smear Enhanced
Choosing a direction

The style name is only the beginning.

The most appropriate finish is determined by the masonry, the architecture, and what the homeowner wants the property to become.

01

Observe the brick

Color, joint depth, variation, and condition influence every finish.

02

Read the home

Scale, materials, light, and architectural detail guide the balance.

03

Approve the sample

The sample turns inspiration into a shared project direction.

Begin your project evaluation

Not sure which finish belongs on your home?

Share your project location and contact information. A German Smear Specialist will help you identify the right next step.

Step 1 of 3Your contact details

01

How should we reach you?

Only the essentials to begin.

02

Where is the project?

Enter the complete address where the work would be performed.

Project type
Preferred contact time
03

One final detail.

Help us understand how you found GSS.

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