Painting bricks - preparation, application technology

How to treat a brick wall as a loft: choice of material, finishing nuances

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An industrial loft with brick walls is a practical and simple interior solution for a city apartment or cottage. Here they are used as an accent or the main background; finishing methods differ accordingly: from painting to varnishing. Let's consider how to process a brick wall in a loft style, what types of coatings can be used for the interior, how to prepare the surface before work and many other details.

Where to start

How to paint bricks in the interior and where to start? It is important to note that removing paint from a brick wall and cleaning it is almost impossible due to the natural structure of the material, which will absorb any coating.

Therefore, before starting work, you need to decide how to paint a brick wall and whether it is worth doing. After all, it is possible to get by with photo wallpaper or another solution. There are few options for doing the work; it all depends on time. After all, you can paint over the entire space, highlight the bricks and seams, or you can select each element separately. The main thing is to know what you can and cannot paint with.

If the need for painting is determined, then you need to prepare the necessary materials. Moreover, an important factor before painting will be the age of the masonry and its location inside or outside the room. As a general rule you will need:

• metal brush with hard hairs;

• detergent;

• putty;

• primer;

• sandpaper;

• a brush about 10 cm wide or a roller;

• thin brush for painting seams.

The following instructions will tell you how to paint decorative brick.

What walls are suitable

Walls made of white and red brick are suitable for a loft; there is not much difference here. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the condition of the masonry.

Important ! If, when cleaning the surface, shedding and destruction of bricks were revealed, the best option would be to plaster the surface and seal all defects. This work also includes the replacement of individual masonry elements with the help of restorers.

Naturally, in this case we cannot talk about any “natural” loft. Therefore, imitation masonry, decorative stone and other methods of wall decoration are used here.

Characteristics of individual paints and varnishes

When choosing the optimal coating option, you cannot take the first paint you come across. We only need those that are specifically designed for processing stone bases. Alkyd paint is characterized by impressive durability; leading manufacturers have many tones in their range. After application, the film holds tightly. When it dries, there will be no bad odors.

However, we must remember that during the painting process itself it will be very unpleasant to be inside the house. High cost along with significant consumption are two more points that make it difficult to use acrylic paint.

You can save money by using solvents. They do not reduce the brightness of tones and the strength of the applied film. In addition, the same white spirit simplifies and speeds up the application of paint.

Acrylic paints can be chosen for the most original design projects - after all, they have a wide variety of tones and are consumed in small quantities. The existing range allows you to choose acrylic dyes for repairs with any budget. The initial absence of bad odors allows you to work with these products without the slightest risk or inconvenience. An important limitation is that the acrylic coating is not durable enough. The most affordable varieties will not allow you to close small defects (in this regard, they are worse than alkyd analogues).

How to treat a brick wall in a loft interior

There are several options for covering a brick wall for this industrial style:

In some cases, several of the above methods are combined to obtain a protected coating for bricks. For example, the surface is first primed and then varnished.

Painting a brick wall to look like a loft

The most popular way to give the interior the charm of an industrial style, and at the same time soften the texture of the brick, is to paint the masonry.

Latest trends on how to treat a brick wall as a loft:

The main thing is that no special effort is required here; you can apply the emulsion as you please. The beauty is that tonal transitions are created from translucent shades, through which the brick is visible, to a dense snow-white layer. The effect of old crumbling whitewash looks especially beautiful against the background of white walls.

To create it, you need to dilute the paint in a 1:3 ratio with water and apply it to the surface with horizontal strokes. After absorption, you will need a few more layers in some places to get what you need. To make an uneven and dense surface, you can also use a variety of spatulas.

Designer advice! When painting, focus on small areas, adding white little by little. Also, always start work from an inconspicuous area, and not from the center, so that if something happens, you can correct any defects.

This finishing option is for those people who would like to preserve the brick texture, and at the same time give the interior a more “smooth”, glamorous look. The advantage of this method is that the white space is combined with cornices, ceilings, and partitions of the same color. This results in a more classic interior.

To make such walls, you will need to apply paint in several layers, achieving uniform coloring.

Important ! Brick is a porous material, so any coloring compounds penetrate inside and are absorbed. This will require many layers before the result is satisfactory.

A deep shade of gray looks most beautiful in a loft interior. The combination of metallic details and gloss makes this surface an ideal backdrop.

A good effect can be created if you first apply a layer with the main tone, and after drying, add gloss to it using silver glaze.

For the main coating, choose a reddish-brown or orange shade, for the seams - white or black.

On a note ! The walls should be painted with a wide brush from 6 to 10 cm wide; in this case, a roller will leave untouched areas.

Many designers believe that painting a wall should only be done with neutral colors. Therefore, if there is a risk of spoiling the interior, it is better to leave the masonry in a natural shade or give it a stained look.

Loft style stain

If the color of the brickwork is too light and the apartment owner does not like it, use stain. Cover it in the same way as paint over the entire surface of the wall.

The advantage of this method is a darker, more saturated color of the brick, and preservation of the full structure of the masonry. When painting, you get a stunning “stained” wall effect.

Varnishing

This finishing option is used to protect the brick coating from dirt and preserve the original color and structure of the material.

Before applying the varnish coating, the surface must be cleaned of dust. And then carry out the work using a small long-haired roller or brush. Several layers will need to be applied. Before the surface is completely ready.

Advice ! Use only matte varnish in the loft. Designers believe that gloss spoils the brick finish and destroys the natural appearance.

Primer

As the main protective coating and final finishing, a deep penetration primer or paint diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3 or 1:5 is used.

This finishing option is suitable if the owner would like to maintain a completely natural appearance of the masonry.

A special primer penetrates to a depth of 5 mm and adheres all elements to each other, which makes the surface stronger.

Alignment of walls

After large irregularities have been repaired, you can begin to level the entire surface of the walls. If this stage is neglected, then during the final application of paint you will be able to see wall defects that were previously invisible. The walls can be leveled by sanding, plastering or installing plasterboard sheets.

Grinding is used to level concrete walls and prepare them for painting. The main thing is that the surface itself is durable and does not crumble, and also does not have serious defects. You can sand with a special machine or even sandpaper. This procedure will remove all minor defects and irregularities.

Prices for sanding machines for walls and ceilings

You can also use stripping and plastering to remove small defects. After completion of work, level differences on the wall should not be more than 2 mm per 1 linear meter. If everything is good, then you can start plastering and priming.

Plastering allows you to get a perfectly smooth wall surface. The composition must be applied in such quantity that it is sufficient to completely level the walls. Thus, thick layers of plaster can be applied along the beacons - this is how concrete walls are usually prepared. Before applying the putty, the walls must be primed to increase adhesion. The primer layer takes several hours to dry.

Important! The layer of plaster cannot be made more than 3 cm. If it is planned to be thicker, then you will have to lay a reinforcing mesh, which, by the way, must be laid if you plan to paint brick walls.

After plastering, it is important to apply a thin finishing layer of putty to the walls. Only after it has dried can you proceed directly to priming and painting the walls. Before applying the finishing layer, the starting layer of putty also needs to be sanded, just like the walls. The main thing is not to get carried away and sand off the entire finishing layer. It is better to remove the resulting dust with a dry cloth so as not to spoil the putty layer. After applying the putty, the wall must be primed again.

Prices for deep penetration primer

Preparing the wall

Before painting the walls, you need to clean the surface of old plaster, dirt and dust, salt deposits and mold.

After treatment with the drug, you need to carefully prime the masonry several times. Then cover everything with paint and finish with varnish, ensuring each layer dries well.

Efflorescence stains

Such unpleasant phenomena arise from the composition of the water used to dilute the clay. Sulfates lead to the formation of white spots on the masonry, and they can only be removed with the help of professional facade cleaners, for example, Antisolex and other analogues.

Designer delights

A few custom coloring ideas:

1. Paint the bricks one color, the masonry joints another.
2. Use 2 different colors or shades - in a checkerboard pattern, in stripes of 1 or several rows. In the interior of a nursery, 3-4 bright colors would be appropriate.
3. In the bedroom, a brick wall can be made snow-white.
4. The layer is made uneven, possibly simulating falling pieces. The wall is painted white or rich red. This method is used to create loft and gothic styles.
5. "Semi-antique." Using a hammer and chisel or a screwdriver, break off small pieces of bricks and remove part of the mortar from the seams. Coarse-grain sandpaper or a grinder with a corresponding disc creates roughness and scratches. You can use a blowtorch to make several dark spots on the masonry. The entire surface is coated with a special impregnation. Then apply the paint with a sponge.

Video description

Learn how to get rid of efflorescence on brickwork by watching this video:

Joining seams

To create a loft wall, the brick needs to be half cleared. Here they use a special tool for jointing - a chisel. This procedure is best done in pairs: one person will measure the seams with a building level, and the second will make passes.

You can use both electric tools like a grinder and a hammer drill, and mechanical ones like a chisel and a hammer.

Important! In order not to damage the neighboring bricks, they begin to break off pieces from the edge of the shaped product.

During work, the seams are cleared to the required depth - 2-4 mm, so that the bricks are clearly distinguishable.

Sanding and priming masonry

After clear cleaning, use a grinding machine or ordinary sandpaper. This operation allows you to make the masonry wall even.

Important! After sanding, you need to clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner or broom. You can also wash the wall with clean water.

The priming process is also used as an intermediate step on the way to painting or stenciling. The surface treated with this composition does not crumble and absorbs paint or varnish well. This allows you to reduce the consumption of basic materials.

Dyeing process

Regardless of the color and drying speed of the dye, it is necessary to cover all elements that cannot be painted, otherwise they can also be painted.

The surface temperature should be at least 25o. The painting of the brick wall itself begins from the upper right corner, gradually moving horizontally downwards.

It is important to ensure that there are no unpainted areas or, conversely, surfaces with an excessively high level of paint.

It is necessary to paint in several layers, before each one waiting until the previous one has completely dried. For the first layer, it is advisable to dilute the paint. Before applying the next layer of paint, the surface must be examined for drips and cracks. They need to be cleaned and sealed.

Brick imitation

If the original appearance of the brickwork leaves much to be desired, designers advise using imitation. Here you can use 3 ways to decorate the walls:

Clay tiles

The surface of such a product is also rough, and is almost no different from natural brick. When purchasing, it is recommended to purchase several batches at once in order to achieve a variety of shades, since only bricks of the same color are usually packaged in one package.

This option is used if you plan to decorate the wall in the form of natural masonry. But it is quite expensive and not everyone can afford it.

Plaster

An inexpensive way to get loft-style brick walls is to buy a plastic stencil and use it to make an imitation of plaster. You can also use regular masking tape instead of a stencil.

The tapes are glued along the proposed seams of the future masonry. The dimensions of a standard brick are 250x160 mm.

For plastering, tile adhesive and plaster are used in a 1:1 ratio. After this, apply the finished mixture to the wall, avoiding the ends of the masking tapes, using a large and small spatula. The thickness should be approximately 8-10 mm. Once this is done, remove the stencil.

The bricks are finally sanded after drying, the seams are deepened where necessary, and everything is treated with a primer and then with white paint.

White brick and interior styles

A light brick wall looks harmonious in any interior design, but only if it is correctly positioned in the room and complemented with suitable decor. How to do this for each specific style?

Decorating white brickwork in the interior

Scandinavian style

Most often, white brick is used in Scandinavian interiors: here it can be found in all rooms at the same time. Both options made from natural materials and imitation masonry are acceptable - from plaster, wall panels or even wallpaper with a pattern. In this style, the combination of such a wall with light wood looks great. Source: for example, shelves or a hanging chest of drawers made of this material. Minimalistic posters in wooden or black frames will be the ideal decoration.

White brick and light wood in a Scandinavian interior

White brick wall with posters in Scandinavian style

Light brickwork in a Scandinavian interior

White brick wall in a Scandinavian style kitchen

Loft

Despite the fact that the loft style mainly uses red brick, white will also be an excellent solution: it will visually lighten the space and add coziness to the room. This is a great choice for a bedroom, nursery or living room. Decorate one wall in this way - it will become a laconic accent of your room. Contrasting black details made of smooth material - for example, lamps or shelves - will emphasize the texture and color of the masonry.

White brick in a loft style interior

White brick wall in a loft style bedroom

White brick wall in a loft style bedroom

Painted white brick in a loft style interior

Provence

Light brick in a Provence style interior looks best in the kitchen, as an apron above the work surface. In this case, the masonry does not have to be made of natural material: various imitations from clinker or wall panels are suitable. It is also worth remembering that such decoration is rare for the Provence style, so a white brick wall should be the main accent of the room, otherwise the space will seem overloaded.

White brick in the kitchen in Provence style

Imitation of white brick in a Provence style kitchen

White brick wall in a Provence style interior

Classic

In a classic interior style, a light brick wall looks ideal in combination with a fireplace. Decorate the space around the fireplace with masonry or its imitation - the entire wall or just part of it. This decor will be a great accent in the living room or bedroom.

Decorating a fireplace portal with white brick in a classic interior

White brick wall in a classic style interior

Decorating a hallway with white brick in a classic style

If you have a real wood-burning fireplace, use only natural brick in the design: it is not afraid of very high temperatures, while other materials (tiles, plastic panels can melt or crack).

Decorating a wood-burning fireplace with natural white bricks

Minimalism

Since minimalism does not accept too bright details, one white brick wall will become a wonderful accent here - its original texture will be the center of attraction of everyone's attention. Use this pattern in your living room or on the wall behind your bed to add an understated yet stylish accent to the room. Leave the masonry unadorned or decorate it with graphic posters and framed black and white photographs.

White brick in a minimalist interior

White brick wall in a minimalist bedroom

Light brick in a minimalist living room

boho

A boho-style interior is primarily about rich accents and colorful prints. A white brick wall will help to “mute” this brightness a little: for example, if the room is painted yellow, red, blue, green, the light masonry will become the area where the eye takes a break from saturated colors. For decoration, use colorful carpets with ethnic patterns, garlands and wicker decorations using the macrame technique.

White brick wall in a boho style interior

Painted white brick in a boho bedroom

White brickwork in a boho style interior

High tech

In the high-tech style, special attention should be paid to the texture of the brick wall. Glossy options look impressive - imitation clinker masonry or varnished natural brick. Another option is foam wall panels: the interesting “porous” texture and modern material fit perfectly into the futuristic concept of this style.

Imitation of a white brick wall in a high-tech interior

White brick wall in a high-tech interior

English style

English colonial style is a mixture of classic, country, Provence and loft, popular in Great Britain and America in the 19th century. Nowadays, this design is mainly used in country houses, so brickwork is more appropriate here than ever: it can be the supporting structure of the entire building, or simply a fashionable decor. As in Provence, most often such an element is preserved in its original form in the kitchen or in the single space of the kitchen-dining-living room. Paintings and decorative plates with floral motifs or ethnic ornaments are used as decoration.

White brick wall in an English style interior

Imitation of white brick in an English-style kitchen

Light decorative brickwork in English interior style

Modern interior

Modern interiors are eclectic: elements of different styles are often mixed here. For this whimsical mix of details to look organic, they need a neutral background, which could well be a white brick wall. Geometric shapes of furniture, creative lamps, colorful decor - if all this is brightened up by light brick, harmony in the interior is guaranteed.

White brick in the interior of a modern living room

White brick wall in modern interior style

White brick wall in a modern interior style

Video description

For details on how to make a plaster imitation of a brick wall, watch the video:

Brick wallpaper

Photo wallpaper is rarely used in loft interiors because the coating looks unnatural. But sometimes, they choose this finishing option to reduce the time and cost of clearing a brick wall.

This is relevant if the work of knocking down old plaster and cleaning masonry is very labor-intensive, but you want to get the result here and now.

The advantage of this method is the ability to create an eclectic loft, into which interior elements from other styles will fit, for example, a Victorian bed, etc.

Source

Nuances to paint brickwork correctly

Before painting, consider whether this treatment method is really necessary. Brick production did not imply the option of such finishing. You can choose colors and textures during the construction stage. If the building is still under construction, consider purchasing colored bricks.

Simple masonry holds quite firmly and does not fade. It is intended to be used without further processing.

If you decide to paint it, you will have to repeat the action at least once every five years, since the layer of any paint is not as durable as the surface of the material.

In addition, you will have to work hard to remove the old layer of cracked, faded, peeling or tired paint. The surface of the brick is very porous, so the dye molecules penetrate deep inside, and it will no longer be possible to radically change the color.

It is not recommended to apply dye to newly constructed walls.

The optimal time for leaching, precipitation, and drying is about one year. If you paint them earlier, you can get significant defects that cannot be masked further. The apparent ease of applying the coloring pigment is a deception. The process is significantly complicated by initial preparation. The brickwork needs to be prepared, and this will take a lot of your time.

How to paint a brick wall inside a house

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Lately, brickwork has been used very often in interior design solutions. A brick wall is used in interiors with a loft style - it is made specially, or in brick houses you can simultaneously make renovations in a modern style and preserve the history of the building. And the simplest solution for updating a brick interior is to paint it. How to paint a brick wall inside a house , what paints and tools to choose, we will tell you in this article.

What you need to know about paint

Selecting the right lineup is already half the battle. There is a huge assortment on the construction market, and to make it easier for you to choose from this ocean of offers, we have taken the liberty of giving a few tips.

Composition requirements

• The first and main rule for facades is that the surface must breathe . Therefore, the composition must be vapor-permeable, otherwise you will block moisture inside the walls and end up with a damp room.
• But on the other hand, this same coating should not allow moisture to pass inside . In other words, the composition should act as a kind of vapor barrier, protect against water from the outside and not prevent the escape of internal vapors.
• Also, the coating must withstand sudden changes in temperature, pressure and humidity . The level of resistance to ultraviolet radiation plays an important role; the paint should not fade.
• Last but not least is the durability of the composition . The price of high-quality paints can fluctuate significantly, but it is better to pay for a coating that will last for many years than to repaint the facade every 2 to 3 years.

Wall paint.

Important: when choosing a composition, pay attention to alkali resistance. The fact is that alkaline-based solutions used for masonry can easily burn through most of the compositions.

• You should not chase paints with low consumption per 1 m² ; this may be more economically profitable, but compositions with deep penetration and slightly higher consumption are more durable.
• Quick-drying compounds accumulate less dust during the drying process, but without proper experience applying them with your own hands is much more difficult, plus most of them are harmful to health.
• You should pay attention to the adhesion or texotropic properties of the composition, that is, how well it adheres to the surface . This is especially important if you decide to paint a brick wall on a balcony or indoors, where, as a rule, primer is rarely used.

How to paint a brick wall inside a house

The designers of our website “Construction and Repair” very often use brick or “brick-like” tiles in their interiors. It's fashionable, stylish and not expensive. Therefore, if you have chosen a material such as brick as an interior element, then let’s find out in more detail: how to work with it and what to paint it with.

Where is it used?

A loft-style brick wall can be seen in the interior of any room: kitchen, bedroom, living room. Even the bathroom. And it is appropriate everywhere. A universal decorative element.

Loft style - originated in the 40s of the 20th century in the industrial areas of American New York. These were parts of industrial buildings, which is why the unfinished brick wall is a striking element of the style.

What brick

Before starting work and choosing what to paint a brick wall inside the house with, you first need to figure out what specific material needs to be painted.

The brick that is used in the interior can be different - it can be natural brick (the natural masonry of the walls of the house) or facing brick. It can have different textures from smooth to aged, cracked and uneven surfaces.

Sometimes it’s not even a brick, but ceramic tiles that resemble a brick. But if you radically change the interior, then you can paint it too.

Colors

The loft style uses cool colors – gray, blue. However, the designers liked the creative solution with a brick wall so much that they began to use it in other styles - Scandinavian style, Gothic, romance, ethnic design.

So one of the most fashionable colors for brick finishing today is white.

Finishing

Brick is a very interesting, natural material, and it’s not surprising. Why do designers like him so much? However, it is also susceptible to disintegration, cracking and exposure to the environment.

To protect the brick you will need to cover it with plaster. However, this will hide the texture, material and color. But plaster is not the only way to protect brickwork. Our option is painting.

Painting

Step #1

If you decide to paint the wall, then know that you won’t be able to return the natural look back. And every few years, you will have to update or repaint the wall again.

Step #2

Having decided to paint, know that brick is not initially a material ready for paint, so it will require preparatory work.

If the wall is new, just laid out, then you will have to wait at least 1 month before painting. But in general, if the wall is “young” up to a year, then our experts immediately warn that various kinds of defects, wet spots, whitening of the brick, etc. may occur.

This all happens due to the porous structure of the material, which must “breathe” and adapt to environmental conditions.

Step #3

The choice of how to paint a brick wall inside a house differs from the exterior brick finish. Therefore, facade paints are not suitable for interior work. Although they will be durable, they can simply be dangerous due to aggressive substances.

And if in the open air, on the balcony, the outer wall of the house is good, then in the apartment it is fraught with allergies, skin diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, etc.

For interior decoration, water-based paints or adhesive paints are used.

Step #4

Having chosen the paint, you need to prepare the wall before work.

Now it's time to seal all existing cracks. Very small cracks will be hidden by paint, but medium and large ones will need to be sealed with cement mortar. The excess is removed with a spatula, and the place where the crack is sealed is compared with the general wall with a brush. We give 10 days for the solution to dry. How to make a solution, see the article Proportions of concrete in buckets for a concrete mixer.

Primer is the next preparatory stage. Don’t skip it, it’s important in preparing for painting, and will save you both time and money.

Advice: it is better to use a primer on the same base as the paint.

The primer is carried out in 2-4 layers, after each application the layer must dry completely. If there are any defects, such as greasy stains, then more layers of primer mixture will need to be applied to them.

Step #5

Painting is the last step. To paint a brick wall inside a house, use several brushes of different sizes. Wide for the main wall panel (7-10 cm), and narrow for corners, edges and seams.

Our experts spoke in more detail about the various tools for each type of paint in the review Which roller should I use to paint walls with acrylic paint?

For acrylic, you can use a polyester brush. Oil and alkyd paints can be conveniently applied with natural brushes. Rollers with long pile will also be convenient to use. On a brick wall, when painting with a roller, you won’t be able to achieve a dense layer, but it’s just the thing for updating and adding shine.

You need to paint horizontally along the rows of bricks. Painting should begin from the upper left corner. Several layers of paint are applied, each subsequent after the previous one has completely dried.

The first layer of paint can be diluted with water and this will be the primer layer.

If you want to paint the bricks one color and the seams between the masonry another, this will require more time and labor.

If you use a foam sponge, you can give the effect of antiquity. You can also use it to create a textured coating in different colors. For example, on a white wall, apply a golden color with a sponge, the main thing is that the surface color layer is not solid, but transparent.

In the same way, you can apply patterns under a stencil and create highlights.

Source

Dyeing technology

After the preliminary preparation is completed, you can proceed directly to the process of painting the brick. Painting the inside of the balcony with your own hands is not difficult at all. To do this you will need the following tools:

1. Roller with removable fur coat. Brickwork is painted with a long-haired roller, specially designed for processing textured surfaces. The length of its handle should be selected individually, taking into account personal convenience. In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that hard-to-reach places can only be processed with a tool with a long handle. It would be optimal to use a velor roller.
2. Brush. It is quite problematic to paint the places where different surfaces come into contact at an angle of 90 degrees or less evenly with a roller. To do this, use brushes up to 150 millimeters in size.
3. Means of protection. Since when painting there is a possibility of paint getting on clothes and skin, these areas should be protected with personal protective equipment. It is also advisable to use a gauze bandage. To prevent paint from getting onto elements adjacent to the wall, masking tape must be applied around their perimeter. It is sold in rolls and is easy to apply and remove.
4. Container with ribs. This is a special trough designed for rolling out the roller. Paint is poured into it, and then a roller is rolled along the beveled ribbed part to squeeze out excess dye. As a result, an even layer is formed on the entire surface of the fur coat.

The painting process begins from the upper part, gradually moving to the lower section. It is advisable to paint the work area in one go. If you take long breaks, streaks may appear. First, use a brush to clean corners and hard-to-reach places. Then the paint is poured into a trough, and the roller is well soaked and rolled out until it lies on the surface of the fur coat in an even layer. This will allow the dye to be distributed evenly.

When painting, the roller is lowered from top to bottom with a slight diagonal shift so that the already painted part overlaps by 3-4 centimeters.

In this case, it will be possible to cover the wall without visible clear divisions. After the first layer has dried, apply the second. It will paint over all unpainted parts and allow you to even out the color scheme. If necessary, a third layer can be applied. After finishing work, the tools should be washed under running water.

What to consider before painting a brick wall

The decision to repaint a brick wall should be carefully considered. You need to understand that there will be no going back, since it is almost impossible to remove the applied paint without significant damage to the brick. The natural roughness and terracotta tint will be lost forever and any further color change can only be achieved by another repainting. Such procedures are inevitable in this case, since even the best painting materials tend to gradually fade and crumble.

Fireplace before and after painting bricks

Brick itself is a rather specific material. It is characterized by some porosity and vapor permeability. After production, a certain time must pass for the material to dry well and weather. Therefore, it is strictly not recommended to paint “fresh” brick walls: it is advisable to let them sit for several years . Otherwise, unsightly salt stains and wet spots may appear on the surface of the paint: this not only makes the painted wall unsightly, but also contributes to the rapid peeling of the paint layer.

Stains on a brick wall from improper painting

Painting a brick facade makes it possible not only to make it more attractive, but also creates additional protection from negative external influences. If everything is done correctly, the masonry will receive additional resistance to moisture, chemical and mechanical influences. In this case, much will depend on the correct selection of paint.

Features of painted walls

Wall paint has been used for a long time. For quite a long period, paper wallpaper was used instead for decoration, considering it the best option. However, these judgments are relevant when talking about Russia. And even with the widespread use of wallpaper for a long time, it is impossible to call paint “old and uninteresting” and wallpaper “progressive” materials. The fact is that in the USA and a number of European countries, wallpaper has never been considered particularly chic, and the walls in houses abroad are always painted. And in Russia, despite the emergence of a large number of different finishing materials, paint is now considered interesting and relevant. Looking at the portfolio of any designer, you can see all sorts of finishing options, including painting the walls.

Why does paint still remain relevant and is used for interior decoration? It's simple - it has too many advantages that you can't turn a blind eye to.

Table. Advantages of paint as a finishing material.

Of course, paint is far from an ideal material. It also has its drawbacks. So, with frequent exposure to it, it will no longer look neat - it will become worn out, scratched. However, this minus also applies to wallpaper. Also, paint, contrary to popular belief, is far from the cheapest finishing option. Thus, it will require certain preparatory work, which sometimes turns out to be quite costly and troublesome.

Important! It is not always recommended to paint walls in a new building. The fact is that a new house is subject to shrinkage, and the paint will quickly become covered with a network of cracks. Typically, painting is done a couple of years after the construction of the structure. For the first time, it is better to put up wallpaper - the resulting defects on the walls will be less noticeable.

What types of paint are suitable for brick and how to choose them

All commercially available painting materials are divided into two large groups - façade and for interior use. The first category is characterized by greater resistance to moisture and temperature changes: facade paint can be used both outdoors and indoors.

Requirements for brick paint:

In general, all paints used for painting brick can be water-based or organic.

Each of the compositions of this type has its own specific application:

Nitroenamel is not the best choice for painting brick

Organic paints are not recommended for use in residential interiors , as this will provoke dampness of the walls and disruption of the internal microclimate. They are more suitable for decorating brick facades, fences and balconies.

Water-dispersion paint is a good option for painting brick, but its service life is only 3 years

Acrylic facade compositions are much stronger and more reliable: after hardening, they can be dry cleaned. They also increase the ability of brickwork to withstand moisture.

However, the most suitable water-based brick paint option is acrylic-silicone solution , which can last up to 10-12 years. After drying, the material forms a vapor-permeable layer with good hydrophobic and vandal-proof characteristics. The cost of this paint is quite high, but the result obtained completely compensates for all costs.

Acrylic-silicone paint is one of the best options for painting brick

Epoxy paint is durable and adheres well to brick

Mineral paint is good for brick

Silicone paint is perfect for sand-lime brick

Choosing paint

When you decide to paint the walls yourself, pay special attention to the choice of paint, depending on the location of the wall (external or internal), your requirements for coating, and the quality of the masonry. The following paint properties play an important role:

• light fastness (resistance to ultraviolet rays);
• waterproof (protection from precipitation for the facade and the ability to wash the surface for interior walls);
• alkali resistance (the ability not to be affected by alkali contained in cement mortars);
• vapor permeability (a brick wall must be able to “breathe”);
• good adhesion;
• durability.

Additional characteristics include the speed at which the paint dries, consumption, and, if necessary, the possibility of tinting. Think in advance what kind of surface you want to create: matte, glossy, semi-matte. Your wishes will influence the level of reflectivity required.

If you have to paint a brick wall on a balcony or just outside, it is advisable to give preference to facade paint intended for use on masonry.

Elastomeric paint also deserves attention. Despite the relatively high cost and complexity of work, one cannot fail to note such qualities as frost resistance and the ability to plug masonry cracks.

Acrylic latex paints also have the necessary properties; the resins underlying them form a waterproof film on the painted surface, protecting it from exposure to the external environment.

Painting brick walls inside does not require the paint to be frost-resistant and highly water-repellent (except for walls in the bathroom), so it can be done using acrylic paints, as well as silicate paints.

Oil products, although they look great, are not suitable for this purpose. They form an almost impenetrable film, resembling a crust, and do not allow the surface to “breathe”, which in the future will lead to the gradual destruction of the brick wall. But masonry that is in perfect condition can be covered with several layers of transparent varnish. This will give your design a touch of vintage and will allow you to preserve the interesting palette and texture characteristic of high-quality brick.

How to prepare the surface before painting

In addition to choosing the right paint, the quality and durability of the decorative layer largely depends on proper preparation.

List of necessary preliminary work before painting a brick wall:

First, you need to repair all the cracks in the wall, and then sand everything with sandpaper.

To remove efflorescence, you need to apply a bleach solution, clean these areas with a stiff brush and rinse everything thoroughly with water.

To combat mold and fungi, you can apply a solution of “Whiteness” to the wall, scrape everything off with a scraper, and then rinse thoroughly with water.

The wall must be washed with soapy water

The final step in preparing a brick wall for painting is primer.

If the brick surface will be exposed to significant moisture, then it is best to prime it with Polyfluid: this waterproofing agent contains synthetic resins, which crystallize after penetrating deep into the brick. As a result, the capillaries become clogged and a completely waterproof barrier is formed. To apply the primer, a roller, brush or construction spray is usually used.

Elimination of serious defects

After the old coating has been removed from the walls, you can begin further preparation of the walls, that is, puttying and priming. However, if there are serious defects on the walls, such as deep cracks, then it is important to repair them first.

Prices for popular types of putty

So, any large crack that cannot be filled with a small amount of putty must first be widened and deepened, no matter how strange it may sound. Next, the gap should be thoroughly cleaned of debris and dust and the cavity should be well treated with a primer.

Once the primer layer has dried, you can seal the gap with regular putty. The composition should fill the crack well so that cavities do not form and maximum adhesion of the composition to the surface is achieved. Also, you need to glue a reinforcing tape to the front part of the sealed gap - you need to press it into the layer of putty that has not yet hardened, coat it well with it and then dry the putty and sand it.

Brick painting tools

When choosing what exactly to apply paint to a brick wall, you need to take into account the degree of surface roughness and the type of decorative effect that you want to achieve:

Brush for painting a brick wall

Roller for painting a brick wall

Spray gun for painting a brick wall

Sponge for painting bricks

In addition to the tool for directly applying paint to the brick, you will also need some additional equipment. Basically we are talking about protective clothing and gloves, as well as film and tape, which can be used to conveniently protect adjacent surfaces from being smeared.

Preparation for painting textured plaster and wallpaper

To ensure that the paint lays evenly and to reduce its consumption, decorative plaster, fiberglass and non-woven wallpaper are primed before painting. This is not to say that these are mandatory manipulations, but if you want high-quality repairs, do not neglect them.

Requirements for the wall surface vary depending on the future decor. If you plan to use textured paint, they do not have to be completely smooth. The relief of the coating will hide minor defects. But if you want to apply a monochromatic shade, draw a design using a stencil, or decorate the walls yourself using a sponge or fabric, the surface must be flawless. Otherwise, all the flaws will be noticeable. Take this nuance into account when treating walls before painting.

How to paint a brick (brick wall)

For interior work, a roller or brush is usually used, but it is more convenient to paint facades with a construction spray gun (spray gun).

It is advisable to start from the top of the wall, from any of the corners. To apply the first layer, it is advisable to dilute the paint a little: water-soluble compositions are especially convenient in this regard, where it is enough to add a little water to the material and stir it thoroughly. If the work is carried out outdoors, then it is advisable to choose a dry, cool day for it: the optimal air temperature is +15 - +20 degrees.

As a rule, for high-quality painting of a brick surface, you will need to apply 2-3 layers. Before laying the next layer, you must wait until the previous one has completely dried. The most popular water-based formulations usually dry within 3-4 hours. As for decorating new brick walls, painting them is permitted no earlier than 1-2 years after completion of construction. During this period, the brickwork shrinks, weathers and leaches: if these processes take place under the paint layer, it will certainly begin to crack or become covered with whitish stains.

1 - apply paint in a convenient way (spray gun, brush or roller); 2 - wait until the paint is completely dry; 3 - Apply a second coat of paint.

If a brick wall needs to be given a monochromatic color, then problems with such decoration usually do not arise: all that is required is to choose a suitable application tool and take care of protecting adjacent surfaces from splashes. However, more complex types of finishing can be used indoors. For example, a mosaic made of multi-colored bricks is very popular when you need to use several paints of different tones at once.

A brick wall can be painted in several shades at once

Often, brick walls in the interior are given the effect of aging, matte or glossy shine. In each of these cases, you will need to use a specific application technique.

Artificial aging of brick

The easiest option to make a brick wall not just plain, but to decorate it in a special way is to use stencil images. Usually they carry a thematic load and are performed on top of a pre-applied monochromatic paint layer. The interior looks very interesting, where the brick walls are decorated with beautiful graffiti. Another option is to make the masonry seams bright and contrasting.

White mortar for filling brick wall joints

Walls

Brickwork is painted in two cases, when the wall has lost its “former beauty” over time and when the facade has radically changed. Painting will give the house an updated look and make it stand out from the surrounding buildings. With the help of a well-chosen color, you can advantageously emphasize the architectural features of the building. This article will discuss options for painting a brick wall.

Content:

This finishing not only has a cosmetic effect, but also protects the wall of a brick house from the adverse effects of the external environment. To obtain a high-quality surface, it is necessary to pay great attention to the preparation of the surface to be painted and the choice of the material itself.

Brick wall photo

Brick wall color

• Applying paint to masonry is a fairly practical way not only to give the facade an attractive look, but also to decorate the walls of the interior. A wide range of painting materials will allow you to choose the desired shade.
• The choice of color is not only based on personal preference. The outer brick wall, first of all, should be combined with the shade of the roofing material and not create a sharp contrast with existing buildings (bathhouse, gazebo, outbuildings, etc.).
• An important factor when choosing paint is the shape of the house. If it has a classic basis, built on straight lines, then pastel colors are perfect here. Complex architecture with balconies, pilasters, columns and other elements can be decorated in bright, rich colors.

• The coating can be either glossy or matte. A splash of glitter on the interior walls will expand the space. But the matte surface is considered more resistant to mechanical stress, that is, it is characterized by increased resistance to abrasion.

Brick wall paint

The painting material presented on the market is divided according to its intended purpose: for facades, interior work, and there is also a division according to operating conditions (waterproof, heat-resistant products). It should be noted that exterior paint can be used to decorate interior walls, but interior paint is not suitable for facades.

The final coating must meet the following technical characteristics:

• vapor permeability . Brickwork allows condensation to pass through, which inevitably occurs during the operation of the home. Therefore, the paint must have vapor-permeable properties. Otherwise, accumulated moisture will flow between the wall and the coating layer, which will lead to peeling of the latter;
• water resistance Nobody will ever cancel atmospheric precipitation. A material with such characteristics is relevant not only for painting exterior walls, but also interior spaces with high levels of humidity (unheated cabins, bathrooms, kitchens);
• resistance to UV radiation. Special additives will not allow active sunlight to affect the coating. However, it is worth noting that whitish areas appear more often on surfaces painted in dark colors;
• elasticity. This material fits well on porous material. The plastic layer will perfectly withstand small deformation changes in the brickwork during seasonal temperature fluctuations;

• hiding power . This indicator is responsible for economical paint consumption, which is especially important when used on walls made of microporous bricks. Not every paint is capable of forming a high-quality coating in 1-2 layers;
• frost resistance . The additive is responsible for the performance properties of the coating at sub-zero temperatures and severe climatic conditions. Heat-resistant material is chosen for painting brick stoves and fireplaces, moisture-resistant for rooms with high humidity conditions.

The environmental component of paint is of no small importance. Today, consumers are offered products made on an organic and water-dispersed basis.

Types of paint for painting a brick wall

It would be useful to remind you that it is better to purchase products from well-known brands. Global manufacturers monitor their reputation, so they produce paint manufactured in accordance with technological requirements. Each package provides reliable information about the operating rules, technical characteristics and properties of the material.

A brief overview of the most popular types of paints will help you draw conclusions about quality and create a basis for choosing a particular product:

• Organosilicon paints form a reliable layer that allows water vapor to pass freely. Material resistant to mechanical damage and seasonal temperature changes. Well, the price for them is appropriate;
• Latex products are distinguished by vapor permeability, high decorative qualities and a harmless composition. Its disadvantage is its low degree of wear resistance. In addition, if you want to remove the old coating, it will not be so easy;

Caring for painted brick surfaces

Caring for a painted brick wall is very simple: it must be periodically wiped with a soapy solution using a sponge. If local damage or paint peeling is detected, simple restoration measures are carried out. To do this, you need to carefully clean off the exfoliated fragments using a scraper, then prime and carefully putty the resulting depression. After drying, the sealed area is lightly sanded and painted. To achieve complete invisibility of the repaired area, it is advisable to use paint from the same series as for the initial decoration.

In terms of labor costs, painting brickwork is much more profitable and easier than plastering or cladding. If everything is done correctly, a painted brick facade will perfectly retain its decorative qualities for at least 5 years (interior decoration usually lasts much longer).

Source

Beginning of work

In order for the coating to last for a long time, it is necessary to prepare the walls for brickwork. It is necessary to clean the surface from all visible imperfections. This is done using a brush with hard metal hairs. Old paint is removed with a solvent and then cleaned.

There may be mold and lime deposits on a brick wall. They are removed with special solutions. Subsequently washed with water. Then they wait for some time and carry out the treatment again. After all, such defects can appear again.

The cracks are sealed with cement mortar; it must be allowed to dry for at least two weeks. If you start painting too early, the wall may become moldy or have fungus. Before starting work on bricks, the wall must be leveled.

On video: how to paint a brick wall.

Primer

After the surface is cleared of all external manifestations, it is necessary to apply primer.

The primer must match the composition of the future paint and penetrate into the masonry, closing all the pores of the surface. The first layer is applied primer varnish for a brick wall. When the varnish is dry, a primer is applied. When deciding what paint to use, you must remember that special paint for brick is desirable; you should not save money, since later the paint may simply “fall off.”

The procedure for internal work is as follows:

• First, you need to use a primer to cover the places where there was mold or salt formation;
• then you need to wait until the coating dries;
• the second layer is applied to the entire wall;
• Each paint job must be cleaned with sandpaper.

Preparing a brick wall for painting is the most important stage of the work.

Is color solution really necessary?

Until a certain point, only the standard gray color of masonry mortar was used in construction. In some cases, it disrupts the picture and spoils the appearance of the facing brick being laid. Another unpleasant effect of ordinary mortar may be the appearance of efflorescence on the brick due to exposure to moisture during laying. After complete drying, the shade may change the masonry seam itself, which does not look as intended. Some types of facing bricks can absorb moisture from cement, which gives bright shades a grayish color. The gray tint is also given by the fact that the total area of ​​the seam can occupy up to 15% of the total area to be laid. This is a significant indicator that makes adjustments to the color palette. Along with the seam, dust that constantly settles on the surface can spoil the appearance.

There are several ways to solve the problem of fading of facing bricks. Experienced craftsmen use the following tricks:

• use of grout;
• painting;
• colored solution.

Grouting the joints of tiles or other tiles is common. At the same time, a shade is selected that best suits the laid tiles. Some craftsmen do the same for facing bricks. A special grouting compound is selected that gives the seams an attractive appearance. The procedure takes some time. The other option is not so scrupulous, but the material consumption will also be significant. A special coloring composition is selected and applied to the entire surface of the wall.

At the same time, the seams change their color, the shade of the brick stands out to a greater extent and the material acquires an additional water-repellent effect. This reduces the likelihood of efflorescence. The last method is to prepare masonry mortar of a suitable color. This method is the most effective, since there is no need for periodic maintenance of the seam. The color lasts for a long time.

The correct selection of a color shade for a specific type of facing brick not only improves the appearance, but also makes it possible to create a different look depending on the time of day. The length of the sun's rays can be different, so the building will play with tints or shade a specific color, which looks unusual and solid. There are several main ways in which a brick joint can be distinguished:

• underlining;
• contrast;
• merger.

The first method allows you to emphasize the shade of the brick, as intended by the architect. In this case, the shade of the joint may be slightly darker and duller than the brick, which will allow the blocks to play in all shades. Contrasting pigment allows you to create a unique combination based on opposition. In this case, it is important to use colors that can be combined in the palette, but have different shades. The last type of pigment selection makes it possible to create a single-color plane. In this case, the seam practically does not stand out against the background of the brick.

Painting unplastered walls

Before you begin painting or otherwise decorating the masonry, it must be prepared for finishing. And it doesn’t matter what it will be: painting a brick balcony, or designing a wall adjacent to the fireplace - if you don’t plan to plaster the masonry, then its surface will be prepared in the same way.

• Although, a lot depends on the original condition of the walls - there is a difference: it is freshly erected masonry, or your house is already a hundred years old. The beauty of brickwork is the jointing, and there are many ways to do it. When brick walls are supposed to be plastered (see How plastering of external walls is done), the seams are not filled with mortar at all, but the masonry is laid “into wasteland”.

This improves the adhesion of the plaster mortar to the base, and eliminates the need to make notches on it. And if, for example, during a major renovation of an old house, when a layer of plaster that had lost its strength was removed from the walls, empty seams were found in the masonry, as part of the decorative finishing of the surface, they will have to be filled with mortar with your own hands.

Processing masonry seams

This work, of course, is painstaking. But if you consider that unplastered brickwork is usually left as an accent on only one wall, or only certain fragments in the interior are decorated: a rough stove, a partition between windows, or a niche - then this is not so difficult to do.

• First of all, the surface is cleaned. Even when the masonry is carried out in a waste area, during plastering the mortar gets into the seams. When cleaning the walls to the base, some of it remains in the seams, and in order to fill them with fresh mortar, the old one must be removed and the sand and dust swept out with a brush.
• Cleaning is done using a narrow chisel and a hammer, but this must be done carefully, trying not to damage the brick. You will also need one more tool - a flat jointer, with which you will process the seams, giving them shape.

• To fill the joints, you need a mortar of the MP*75 brand, but before applying it, the cleaned masonry should be washed - especially if it was previously plastered. After washing, it should dry within a few days. Then the wall is primed, not forgetting the seams. One layer of soil is not enough; the masonry must be processed at least twice.
• Only after the surface has completely dried can you begin jointing work. First, horizontal seams are made, and then vertical ones. The voids between the bricks are filled three-quarters with mortar and allowed to stand for 30-40 minutes until the mixture sets a little. Keep in mind that it should not lose its elasticity, so do not fill the seams immediately over the entire area of ​​the surface to be finished.
• Apply the solution to two or three rows, and when it's time to treat them, you can fill in a few more. Then, using jointing, you begin to form the seams that are filled first. Lightly press the tool into the solution, and remove the protruding excess using a regular stationery knife with a wide blade.

• Using the same simple tool, you putty the seams in those places where there are recesses left unfilled with mortar. Once you have nice, smooth grooves, you can start caulking the vertical seams. Here special attention must be paid to ensure that they are well tied with horizontal seams.

Advice! Do not forget to regularly moisten the jointing with water - this will help to smooth the surface better. In addition, the solution sticks to the dry surface of the metal, and moving the tool along an unhardened seam can simply ruin it. Don't worry if the mortar accidentally gets on the surface of the brick. Since you have already primed it, any dirt will be easy to wash off.

• In this case, there is no difference: the sand-lime brick will be painted, or it will be laid with traditional clay bricks - all work is carried out in the same way. When finishing the seams, you follow the contour of each brick. Particular care must be taken to fill the seams in the chimneys of fireplaces and stoves, since carbon monoxide can enter the room through them.
• And it doesn’t matter if some of them are uneven - it would even be strange to see perfectly even bricks in a century-old wall. In principle, all the beauty of old masonry lies in this unevenness; it is not for nothing that it is even imitated with the help of decorative bricks or ceramic tiles.

Features of grout

Professionals call this seam processing technology “jointing”. The method involves applying additional mortar between the installed bricks. The method is suitable for facades that are not planned to be faced with other materials in the future.

Pros and cons of technology

Light grout emphasizes the beauty of the masonry on the wall and gives the picture the desired clarity. White contrasting paneling optically combines vertical and horizontal lines on the surface. The finish looks expressive, neat and complete. The method is suitable for brick and tiles that imitate a beautiful design.

The technology can be used both on new and old, tired masonry. Fresh notes are introduced into the design and the beauty of the building material is emphasized. Advantages of the method:

• protection of the solution from moisture;
• extending the service life of the finish;
• increasing the tightness and density of the seam;
• improving thermal protection and sound insulation.

Using light-colored grout, it is easy to seal small cracks and cracks that have formed in the old cladding. The additional seam performs not only decorative, but also protective functions. The solution enhances the strength and durability of the masonry.

The technology will not help disguise broken brick corners or defects in the surface texture. This method should not be used to remove unsightly cement stains on a masonry wall. If you choose the wrong dye for the solution, then in 3-5 years the composition will turn gray and take on a nondescript appearance.

White jointing on a brick facade can only be used if the work is done carefully. Lines must be of the same thickness. The width of the horizontal guides is 10-15 mm, the vertical ones are 8-15 mm. If done unevenly, contrasting grout will highlight design defects.

Joining schemes

The decorative effect depends on the method of filling the lines with mortar. The white joint in brickwork can be sunken or convex. For craftsmen without experience, it is better to start with a technology called “trimming”. The mixture is placed in the cracks, the mass that has gone beyond the boundaries of the stone is removed with a trowel. Irregularities are smoothed out with a stiff brush.

The beveled single-cut jointing pattern does not require professional skills. A sharp painting tool is drawn over the line at an angle, removing any residue. You should get a neat seam, 3-4 mm deep.

The concave method (“fillet”) looks very nice. The building composition is distributed between the bricks, compacted with a sharp trowel. Using a spatula, cut off the solution. A jointing tool is passed along the surface, forming a depression along the seam. The edges of the line must be covered with mass.

Dark brick with white seams made using convex technology looks very impressive. The building composition neatly “falls out” from the cracks. To fill the masonry lines, use a special arc-shaped spatula, which is passed along the strips. During the procedure, it is important to completely fill the space with cement. The result is a beautiful three-dimensional exterior element.

A very complex triangular double-cut seam. The solution is removed from the line at 5-6 mm. Use a sharp spatula to place the white compound into the gap. The geometric shape is created by pulling a special jointing tool across the surface.

The work is carried out after the cement between the bricks has dried. If you are decorating an old wall, use a chisel to clean the cracks from the previous grout (2 cm), and wash off debris and dust with water. Before the procedure, the wall should be moistened to improve adhesion.

Painstaking work is the key to obtaining a beautiful seam on the masonry. The contractor must thoroughly rub the building compound into every centimeter of the surface. It is better to start the procedure with vertical lines. It is easier to hold the solution in one palm, and fill the gaps with the fingers of the other hand.

When moving to horizontal types, the mixture is placed on a wide spatula, which is brought to the scars. Using a narrow joint, the substance is pushed into the holes. Remains of building mass that fall on the surface must be removed immediately. Frozen particles look sloppy, giving the design a sloppy look.