German Smear Styles
Explore Every Finish. Discover the Art of True Masonry Refinement.
Every home tells a story — and the right brick finish brings that story to life. At German Smear Specialists, we offer a curated collection of handcrafted masonry finishes designed to elevate your home’s texture, tone, and architectural character. Each style is applied entirely by hand, using true mortar-based techniques that protect your brick while enhancing its timeless beauty.
From softly blended modern surfaces to highly textured old-world treatments, every finish we create balances artistry with permanence. Explore the styles below to find the one that fits your home’s personality and design vision.
Slurry Finish
The Slurry Finish delivers a clean, monolithic appearance where most of the brick is coated in a thick, continuous layer of mortar. Select clusters of brick remain visible, creating subtle variation and tonal depth. It’s the ideal choice for homeowners seeking a modern, refined aesthetic that softens brick lines while providing full structural protection.
This style offers durability measured in decades — a smooth, breathable surface that outlasts paint and limewash, blending modern design sensibility with the enduring integrity of true masonry.
Traditional Finish
The Traditional Finish represents the most balanced form of German Smear — where natural brick and mortar coexist in harmony. It leaves the most brick exposed of all our finishes, creating a look that feels authentic, timeworn, and perfectly timeless.
This finish brings out the warmth of the original brick while softening harsh edges, resulting in a surface that looks both naturally aged and freshly refined. It’s ideal for those seeking classic beauty with modern balance.
Mortar Wash
The Mortar Wash is a smooth, subtly blended finish that offers a clean, consistent appearance. Using a thin, fluidized mortar mixture, it gently tones down the natural brick color while maintaining soft definition and visual depth.
It’s ideal for coastal homes, modern farmhouses, and transitional designs where simplicity meets craftsmanship. The Mortar Wash delivers timeless elegance, refined texture, and decades of durability — all without the maintenance of paint.
Every finish we offer tells a different story — but they all share one foundation: authentic craftsmanship and enduring quality. Whether your vision leans modern, traditional, or rustic, our team of in-house artisans ensures your brick transformation is both beautiful and built to last.
Rustic Finish
The Rustic Finish embraces hand-troweled artistry and textural depth. It’s our most expressive German Smear style — intentionally uneven, rich in variation, and full of handcrafted character. Each surface showcases visible tool marks, shadow play, and the authentic imperfections that define true old-world masonry.
Chosen for historic homes, cottages, and farmhouses, the Rustic Finish brings warmth, depth, and individuality to every project — proof that perfection often lies in the irregular.
