Some people are vehemently opposed to painting brick because they feel like it cheapens the authenticity of a house. This is particularly common among homeowners whose houses are truly historic relics. If, however, you reside in a more recently constructed North Carolina or South Carolina residence, you might hate the brick inside or outside of your house and have no idea what to do about it. In your situation, painting the brick is probably the best option available to you. Here, you’ll find some tips for painting both interior and exterior brick facades.
Tips for painting interior brick
If you have a brick fireplace facade, you don’t love, painting it is a great option that will freshen the entire look of your room without spending an arm and a leg. The process you (or the contractor you hire) will need to go through is outlined next.
- Clean the brick – Before you can start painting an interior brick surface, it is imperative for it to be clean. Brick has a rough texture that can attract dirt and debris, particularly if it surrounds a working fireplace. Giving it a thorough cleaning is key to making sure the paint sticks and doesn’t peel down the road.
- Use primer – No matter how high-quality the paint you choose is, it is critical to use at least one coat of primer first when you are painting brick. Due to the roughness of brickwork, the paint will absorb very well, possibly leaving bare spots if you fail to prime the surface first. Primer is less costly than paint and will make your life easier when you really get into your brick painting project.
- Consider the paint finish – While you can use gloss, semi-gloss, or flat paint on brick, it is essential to evaluate the overall look and upkeep associated with each option. Gloss and semi-gloss paints are easier to clean than flat styles. They also tend to look nice with the reflection of flames from a fireplace playing off of them. Furthermore, gloss paint, in particular, can function somewhat similarly to a mirror, making a space look larger than it really is.
Tips for painting exterior brick
The process of painting brick on exterior walls has some similarities to painting interior brickwork, but there are also definite differences. You will learn more about the process as you continue reading.
- Power wash the surface – As with interior brickwork, it is key for the outside of your home to be clean before you paint it. The best way to do this is to have the entire surface area professionally power washed. This will remove all dirt and debris, giving you or your contractor a clean, smooth surface on which to apply primer.
- Use primer – The suggestion to use primer on brickwork is the same outside as it is inside. Paint will stick significantly better to a primed brick surface than to a raw one. Make sure you invest in a primer that is designed for exterior use if you’re painting the outer walls of your home.
- Use a paint sprayer – This tip won’t really apply to you if you’ve chosen to let a professional team paint your house, but you should still make sure they are going to be using a paint sprayer, rather than painting by hand with brushes and rollers. Paint sprayers not only provide more even coverage, but they save a great deal of time. It does bear noting that brushes and rollers will probably be used to paint trim and other small details.
If you’re interested in doing a brick painting project at your house, but you aren’t sure where to start, let the team at Hatch Homes assist you. We’ll handle the job for you, so all you have to do is decide on a paint color and share your vision with us. We’ve been working with Carolina homeowners for years and are proud of the many satisfied clients we have throughout our service area. You can trust our skilled crew to do a great job for you!