No, we’re not talking about that yummy cream cheese that you spread on bagels, although that sounds good too! In fact, the word schmear is the German for smear and is a common term in our industry.

A German schmear is a traditional finishing technique used for brick that involves smearing mortar over the face of a brick or stone wall surface. This unique style mimics the look of irregular stones and heavy mortar joints and, interestingly, has been used on cottages and even castles for centuries throughout northern Germany. 

Due to the significant number of German settlers in Texas and their influence, this technique is often found on Texas Hill Country Homes and is still being used today on newly-built houses. The photo seen here is actually a snap from one of our own Texas Signature Custom Homes outside of Fredericksburg and is a perfect example of this rustic yet elegant stonework. 

A classic schmear involves white mortar over read brick, but there are endless brick colors and mortar tints that could be used instead. Also, German schmears aren’t necessarily relegated to solely the exteriors of a home, but can also be used to update your interior brick walls and even a fireplace. 

We love using stone with a German schmear on our custom homes because, not only is it a charming finish, but stones were the first building blocks of human-made dwellings and easily stand the test of time. It’s no surprise to us that the first-ever stone house was built in 3500 BC in Scotland is considered the world’s oldest house. 

If you want to find out more about using a German Schmear for your next custom built home, you know what to do. Give us a call!