Q. My 13-year-old home has a brick exterior. Please explain the pros and cons of painting brick.

A. Gregory Leuttgen of East Shore Painting in Wauwatosa outlined the advantages and disadvantages.

"Painting brick can make discolored brick look new again and can help match the color of the brick to a home's exterior trim or other architectural features. In addition, if the brick has already been painted, a fresh coat can make the paint look new again."

But he warns that once the brick is painted, it's a difficult process to reverse.

"It is virtually impossible to go back to the original look once porous brick is painted. Homeowners should realize that this becomes a regular maintenance item, like painting the rest of the house."

To paint a brick exterior, use a quality latex-based exterior paint because it will provide a breathable coating over the brick.

Q. I have sliding doors in the living room onto a deck and would like to install a window treatment that will soften the windows and provide insulation but maintain an understated, airy look. What are my options?

A. The fabric you choose can help determine the insulation and amount of light let into the home, according to Michele Wozniak, Interior Designer at Decor & You in Brookfield.

"Drapes will provide the softness, color and texture that fabric has to offer while providing good insulation," Wozniak said. "When used with a sheer fabric on a double rod, drapes will provide light control and some privacy if needed throughout the day."

Vertical blinds of soft fabric vanes attached to translucent facings are another possibility.

"They create the look of a sheer drape with superior light control and privacy, and when the vanes are closed, the sheers increase window insulation significantly," she said. "Traditional vertical blinds can be used as an alternative and can be made out of fabric, vinyl or aluminum and also offer a significant increase in a window's insulation value."

Another option is to use a natural woven shade.

"Bamboo and other natural elements, such as grasses or reeds, can be used to make shades that are raised to hang in even, overlapping folds and when lowered, lie flat," said Wozniak.

Cellular shades provide excellent insulation and can help moderate a room's temperature by blocking out the sun's harmful rays while complementing decor with an understated design."

Wood shutters are another possibility because they offer good insulation and a warm but simple look.

"It is possible to mount these on an overhead track that can slide across to cover each window," she said. "But there must be room on either side of each window to allow clearance to operate the sliding glass door."