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4 different houses with brick from different generations in the background and brick and siding combinations as text overlay and owl roofing logo in the bottom right have corner
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Brick and Siding Combinations: How to Update Your Home Without Fighting the Past

Alarm clock7min Read

CalendarPosted 1.09.2026

When homeowners start researching brick and siding combinations, it’s usually because something has forced the conversation. Maybe a hailstorm damaged the siding. Maybe the home looks dated and tired. Or maybe you’re finally ready to invest in your home and want it to feel cohesive, not patched together.

Here’s the reality: in most homes, the brick isn’t going anywhere. Brick is expensive, structural, and often still in great shape. The challenge is choosing siding that works with the brick instead of competing with it. That’s where experience matters.

At Owl Roofing, siding replacement is not just about swapping materials. It’s about helping homeowners make wise, confident decisions—especially when dealing with tricky brick and siding combinations across different decades of design.

Why Owl Roofing Is the Go-To Siding Replacement Specialist

Whether your project is retail-driven or storm-related, siding replacement comes with a lot of decisions. Materials. Colors. Profiles. Budget. Longevity. And when brick is already part of the equation, those decisions multiply.

graphic that says owl roofing in the bottom right hand corner, a modern home with white brick and charcoal siding and roof faded in the background and text overlay that says your go-to-siding replacement specialist which is what owl roofing is, your local siding replacement specialist for Shoreview MN

Our approach is calm, thorough, and homeowner-first. We don’t rush you. We don’t oversell. We help you understand whycertain brick and siding combinations work—and why others don’t.

Most importantly, we communicate clearly at every step. That’s what protects your nest and your peace of mind.

Brick Styles by Generation (And Why They Matter)

Before choosing siding, you need to understand the brick you’re working with. Each era has its own tone, texture, and personality.

a graphic that shows brick styles from each generation from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and today for our brick and siding combination blog on owl roofing website

1970s Brick

Homes from the 70s often feature orange-red or earthy brick with strong warmth. These bricks can feel heavy or dated if paired incorrectly, which is why thoughtful brick and siding combinations are critical.

1980s Brick

The 80s leaned into classic red brick—slightly more uniform and traditional. These homes offer more flexibility, but still need balance to avoid looking flat or overly busy.

1990s Brick

90s brick tends to be darker, sometimes with harsher undertones. Many homeowners want to soften or modernize these exteriors, making siding choice especially important.

Modern Brick

Today’s brick—often white or light neutral—is clean, minimal, and contemporary. It pairs well with bold contrasts and modern siding profiles.

Siding Materials That Work Well With Brick

Not all siding materials behave the same visually—or practically. Here’s how the most common options fit into successful brick and siding combinations:

show four different homes each with a different type of siding materials that work well with brick, vinyl, steel, LP, Hardie, they all mesh well when looking at different brick and siding combinations
  • Vinyl Siding (Exterior Portfolio)
    Budget-friendly and versatile. Works well with older brick when paired with the right color palette. Great option for 70s and 90s homes when done thoughtfully.
  • LP® SmartSide®
    A strong middle ground. Warmer, more dimensional, and excellent for homeowners who want a premium look without fiber cement pricing.
  • Fiber Cement (Hardie® Board)
    Durable, crisp, and ideal for modernizing older brick. Excellent for homeowners prioritizing longevity and clean lines.
  • Steel Siding (EDCO)
    Bold and extremely durable. Best used selectively to complement brick rather than overpower it.

Brick and Siding Combinations That Actually Work

70s Orange-Red Brick

For 70s brick, successful brick and siding combinations often include:

brick and siding combination number one, 70's brick with some clean white vinyl siding
  • Crisp whites for clean contrast
  • Warm neutrals like taupe, greige, or tan
  • Muted cool tones like sage green or soft navy
  • Even charcoal for a modern edge

Vinyl or LP® SmartSide® works well here depending on budget, with trim used intentionally to tie everything together.

80s Red Brick

With 80s red brick, balance is key. Strong brick and siding combinations include:

80's neo colonial home with light gray siding and a darker roof for our brick and siding combinations blog
  • Soft neutrals: beige, light gray, greige
  • Deeper contrasts: navy blue or forest green
  • White or black trim for definition

Fiber cement siding pairs beautifully with this era of brick, offering durability without visual noise.

90s Brick

To update 90s homes, modern brick and siding combinations often lean toward:

90's brick on a colonial style home with earthy green steel siding and charcoal roof with asphalt shingles and metal standing seam metal roof accents with owl roofing logo in the bottom right hand corner
  • Creamy whites
  • Soft grays
  • Earthy greens and taupes
  • Deep navy for contrast

Hardie® Board or high-quality vinyl helps move these homes away from dated palettes into a timeless look.

Modern White Brick

White brick opens the door to bold choices. Popular brick and siding combinations include:

modern home with modern brick with light grey James Hardie siding and a charcoal roof with owl roofing in the bottom right hand corner
  • Black or charcoal siding for drama
  • Wood-look or warm gray for texture
  • Sage green or navy for softness

Board-and-batten or horizontal lap siding adds modern depth without overwhelming the brick.

Should You Paint Old Brick?

Painting brick can work—but it’s not always the right move. The pros:

  • Instantly modernizes dated brick
  • Expands your siding color options
the pros and cons of painting brick

The cons:

  • Permanent and maintenance-heavy
  • Poor-quality paint can peel or chalk quickly
  • Brick must breathe—cheap paint traps moisture

If painting, always use masonry-specific products and proper prep. Cutting corners here almost always leads to regret.

Make Your Home Feel Cohesive Again

Great brick and siding combinations don’t shout. They feel settled, intentional, and calm—like the home was always meant to look that way.

The Get it right Guarantee for Owl Roofing

If you’re considering siding replacement, we’d love to help. Reach out to Owl Roofing for a free consultation. We’ll come out, bring real samples you can touch and feel, and use our Hover app to show you 3D renderings of different brick and siding combinations on your home. Also you can always use our roofing cost estimator if you’re looking for a ballpark figure on pricing.

No pressure. No guesswork. Just clear guidance—so you can protect your nest with confidence.

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Written By: Noah Bergland

Noah Bergland is an owner of Owl Roofing, has been project managing and working in roofing 5 years, has been leading in roofing for 5 years as well. He holds a general contractor license in Minnesota, and passed the Qualified Builder exam.

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