So you’ve decided your brick exterior or interior walls need to look a little livelier and you decide to paint them. However, before you start on that project there are several points to consider because painting brick is in many ways different than painting smooth walls.
Brian Ammerman, owner of Five Star Painting NOLA, said brick creates challenges because it is very porous and textured when compared to a smooth wall. He said paint will soak into brick the same way water can soak into concrete on a rainy day. As a result, choosing to paint brick is an important decision. Once paint is absorbed by the brick, you cannot change your mind and say you want it unpainted.
“You can change the color, but not the painted look,” Ammerman said.
This can be tricky because smooth walls allow for trial and error. You may think purple will look fabulous in your bedroom, but once it actually goes on the wall you may realize you’re not crazy about it. That’s a choice you can undo. You cannot do trial and error on a painted look for your brick. The only way you could test it is to buy bricks that are identical to the ones in your house and try the paint out on the test bricks to see if you like it.
Ammerman said painting brick provides enough challenges that most people should hire a professional to do it. Even if they have successfully painted standard walls in bedrooms or living rooms, brick will be harder. He said anyone who proceeds on their own should also be aware that painting brick will be much messier than painting a smooth wall. You will get paint on yourself, and likely any bushes, plants, or greenery in the vicinity.
“This is something that is very challenging even for hardcore DIY types to do,” Ammerman said.
Ammerman added that a masonry primer is a good idea for painting brick because it will stop the brick from continuing to absorb the paint. This will prevent you from needing to apply as many as three to four coats of paint. Not using primer is one of the most common mistakes Ammerman sees homeowners make. He also recommends using Sherwin Williams SuperPaint, which comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you decide to take your chances and paint the brick yourself, “Architectural Digest” recommends you have the following items: wire scrub brush, soap, water, trisodium phosphate, paint brush, paint roller, masonry or latex paint (and primer), drop cloths and painter’s tape. If you’re uncertain what trisodium phosphate does, it can be mixed with water to clean the brick if the standard combo of soap and water does not work. The brick should also be regularly washed after the paint job to keep it in good condition.
“Architectural Digest” further warns that homeowners should never paint damaged or wet brick. If the brick is not clean, dry, and in good condition, the painting process can cause additional damage. A dry mop can be used remove dust from spots that you are unable to reach. Acidic cleaners should be avoided when cleaning brick as it can alter the final paint job. Small cracks in the brick should be repaired with acrylic caulk before painting. If the cracks are large and the damage is significant, homeowners should consult a professional for advice.
If you want an alternative to painting, staining the brick can work well on bricks that are in good condition. Staining absorbs into the surface of the brick and will make the brick shine while still retaining a natural brick look. Another alternative to full-on painting is whitewashing, which uses watered-down paint to cover the brick with a white coat. This will allow the texture of the brick to be visible while covering the red color. The thickness of the whitewash can be adjusted to control how much of the original color remains.
Source: @hellolovelystudio; Photo: @sherryhdesigns; Architect: @lmarchitect; Builder: @ladisicfinehomes