Tips to Think About When Painting Brick
Brick is a popular material for both the interior and exterior of homes. A brick accent wall can give a space a warm and cozy feeling. It is a controversal issue whether to paint brick or leave it natural.
“The kind of brick that came with my house in upstate New York was more akin to what you might see in a 1980s pizza chain than the coveted exposed brick found in so many prewar buildings in the city. Years of unattended leaks had left water stains across the top half of my brick fireplace, and below the mantel, it was a garish fire-engine red. So, when it was time to repaint the living room, I decided to give the fireplace a makeover, too,” says interior design writer, Michelle Higgins.
Here are some tips to consider when you are thinking about painting brick.
Carefully Consider the Options
Depending on where you live in the country, painting the brick exterior of a home will take different supplies in each area. If you live in the southeast where the climate is mild and humid, you should choose a paint with a severe weather rating. Paint will also be different for interior brick walls and exterior brick walls. Make sure to consult a paint expert when choosing your paint.
Brush and Varnish It
“I have seen many water-stained brick walls brought back to life and color vibrancy by using a wire brush to clean off the dirt, dust and superficial stains,” he said. “However, this technique is not for wimps. It is serious work! Using a product such as PROSOCO’s Sure Klean 600 or another appropriate product from PROSOCO to clean the surface will also yield good results. After the surface of the brick is thoroughly scraped, two or three coats of matte varnish should be applied. High gloss varnish should never be used in this process because a shiny surface is visually incongruent with the rough texture of brick.”
Whitewash It
This is a nice way to give a suttle change to a brick area. A decorator’s tip is to use a light mortar wash and a variety of brushes, trowels and putty knives. This will create a weathered and textured look.
Emily Harris, a decorative artist says, “transform unbecoming brick walls and fireplaces into something more weathered, textured and aesthetically pleasing.”
Camouflage It with Artwork
Oversized artwork can be a life saver when it comes to covering an ugly or damaged space. Brick makes a perfect backdrop from a nice piece of art. When artwork is placed strategically on a the brick wall it can become its own little art gallery. One decorator shared a great idea for those who are not as experienced. Take a custom iron rod and hang the artwork from the rods.
