Brick staining is an old age concept that has been in use for hundreds of years. Back in the 18th century, bricks in England got a diluted cow dung coat to encourage algae and lichen growth and facilitate the aging of bricks. To enhance this coat, the method also included milk or yogurt. About 150 years ago, builders also coated bricks with a mixture of water and soot.

The only drawbacks in these methods were the fact that the end color was not precise and the durability was not predictable.  Sometime towards the end of the 1800s, Bavarian King Ludwig ordered scientists to come up with a paint that would weather the country’s winters. This led to silicates discovery.  When used properly, these stains changed the color of buildings and lasted through many winters. Since this discovery, a lot has been added to the original invention and ensured that the stain lasts for over 20 years. There are some buildings in Europe that got stained over 100 years ago and still retain the color without maintenance over the years.