Painting a brick wall can be done in two cases: when there is a need to change the appearance and after a while to restore its former beauty. If you choose the right color, you can emphasize the architectural features of the building - this is true when it comes to the facade. However, quite often a brick wall becomes part of the interior, in this case it is also necessary to carefully approach the choice of paint and follow the technology of work.
Why paint a brick wall
This finish has a cosmetic effect and protects the wall from external influences. In order to achieve a good result, preparation must be given special attention. As a result, you can get a glossy or matte surface, which may have blotches, which will expand the space if the composition is applied indoors. The matte surface is more resistant to mechanical stress, it has an increasedabrasion resistance.
Paint selection
Brick wall paint can be organosilicon. It allows you to form a reliable layer that allows water vapor to pass through. The composition is resistant to mechanical damage, temperature extremes and seasonal changes. However, you will have to pay a lot for such a mixture.
Latex products also differ in vapor permeability. It has high decorative qualities and is characterized by harmlessness. Latex compounds have one disadvantage, which is expressed in low wear resistance. If you will be painting a brick wall, it is recommended that you first consider a photo of such work. As a result, you will be able to understand which composition is better to choose.
Lime-based paints are among other building materials on the market, they look quite attractive, let steam and air through, and are also environmentally friendly. However, they have a significant disadvantage, which is expressed in small delaminations that spoil the overall picture. Coloring can be done with the following types of paints:
- polymer;
- silicate;
- cement.
Alternative solutions
Water-based acrylic material can also be used for such work. There are no harmful substances among its ingredients, and the coating is rich and has a high degree of wear resistance. Acrylic is quite common todaysilicone paint. The result is a surface with improved performance.
Together with the paint, it is recommended to purchase a primer, which is applied in advance. With its help, you can remove dust from the surface, increase adhesion to materials and eliminate the occurrence of streaks. The primer allows for uniform coloring. As an additional protection of the walls from moisture, you can use a water repellent. It improves the thermal insulation qualities of the walls, forms a breathable and moisture-repellent film.
Brick wall painting recommendations
Painting a brick wall should not be done immediately after masonry is completed. It is necessary to postpone the work for a year or more. This time will be enough for the walls to dry. The paint will peel off if this recommendation is neglected. Work outside the premises should be carried out in warm weather, when the temperature is equal to or less than +25 °C.
You should not start work if there is a strong wind outside the window, because air currents will attract dust particles to the surface of the facade, which will spoil its appearance. It will be possible to get rid of defects only by re-staining, which will entail additional costs of money and time.
For reference
Painting a brick wall in the interior provides for the need to free the room from furniture. If it is impossible to take them out of the rooms, then you need to move all objects to the centerrooms and cover with old sheets or polyethylene. Platbands and skirting boards in this case are dismantled, otherwise they must be protected with masking tape. Floors must be covered with film or paper.
Preparation of tools and materials
Before you paint a brick wall, it is important to prepare some tools, among them:
- metal bristle brush;
- detergents;
- primer;
- scraper;
- grout;
- paint pan;
- roller;
- paint;
- brush or spray gun;
- personal protective equipment.
Preparing for coloring
If you prepare the surface before painting, you will create the perfect base for the final coating. The brick wall should be brushed. Painting a brick wall on a balcony is carried out according to the same principle, which involves the removal of the old coating. For this, bleach powder is prepared, which must be diluted in water. The ratio in this case is as follows: 1 to 3.
Once the surface has been treated, it must be poured abundantly with water. The base should be cleaned of masonry mortar and loose brick particles. A wire brush and mortar will allow you to process the masonry in order to remove s alt deposits. If this stage is neglected, then soon the efflorescence will spoil the surface. They arewill affect the decorative qualities of the finish and cause peeling of the material.
Preparing a brick wall for painting involves the need to apply an antiseptic composition. To do this, you need to use chlorine-containing products of the type "Whiteness". Their application is carried out on the wall, which then must be left for 20 minutes. The compound is then removed from the surface with a stiff brush or scraper.
Additional preparation tips
Painting brick walls inside the building at the next stage involves surface treatment with soapy water. Before complete drying, you should wait a certain time. If any moisture remains, this will cause peeling and swelling of the paint layer, which will crack during operation.
Masonry should be inspected for cracks and chips. If defects were noticed, then they can be repaired with a water-based silicone sealant, as well as a sand-cement mortar. After the plaster has dried, its excess should be rubbed with sandpaper. If there are greasy spots on the surface, then they must be covered with a primer.
The surface should be left to dry, this will take approximately 7 days. Then the masonry is covered with a primer in two layers, you can use one of the following tools for this:
- brush;
- roller;
- spray gun.
Using a primer based on acrylic or latex will increase adhesion and provide a reliable base, in addition, it will be possible to reducepaint consumption.
Work methodology
When the brick wall has been cleaned before painting and the primer has dried, you can start painting.
- All door and window openings are covered with thick cardboard before starting the process, this will eliminate the need to wash off paint drops that will certainly scatter. All parts and surfaces that should not be painted must be protected. This is especially important if you plan to use a sprayer.
- For painting work, it is recommended to use a brush, the working surface of which has a width ranging from 80 to 100 mm. This indicator is optimal for applying the composition in a horizontal direction. A roller with a medium pile is also perfect. It won't leave streaks or smudges. If you want to speed up the work, then you should use an airbrush, it will ensure an even distribution of the composition.
- Painting a brick wall starts from the top corner. When using a roller or brush, it is necessary to ensure that even pressure is exerted on the tool, this will avoid the formation of excessive application of the mixture or bald spots. The paint needs to be stirred regularly, this will prevent sediment from forming.
- As soon as the first layer is dry, you can proceed to the second. If information about the waiting period between layers is not indicated in the instructions for the paint, then you should wait 3 hours. Depending on how porous the brick is, two or three coats may be necessary. If there is a desire, then the seamsshould be painted over with darker or lighter shades. In the first option, it will be possible to emphasize the geometry of the brick.
Design solutions for painting a brick wall
Considering the options for painting a brick wall, you can choose the most suitable technology for yourself. For example, if you decide to apply such an interior design to a hallway or other room that has insufficient lighting, then you can cover the wall with a transparent varnish. In this case, the material will retain its color, and the gloss will make the room lighter. If there is no problem with lighting, then preference should be given to a matte finish, it will protect the surface from dust and remain invisible to the eye. Another design option for a brick wall involves different ways of jointing. They can be made oblique to make the shadow effect more noticeable, or smooth - in this case, it will be possible to achieve a high degree of decorativeness.
Loft style is quite popular today when decorating rooms. If you also decide to use it, then the brick wall can be given the effect of antiquity. To do this, use any suitable tool with a sharp working surface and a hammer. In different places, pieces should be chipped off the brick, and then the wall should be painted using paint of different shades of red. At the last stage, the surface is covered with matte paint.
In order to smooth out aggressiveness, you can use curtains in bright or light shades. The same applies to bathrooms, where this style can be found most often today. Use it for little onesrooms should not be, but for those located on the upper floors of private houses, it is perfect.
Conclusion
If the surface of the brickwork is brown or red, but this option does not suit you, just buy a can of paint. It will be enough to choose the right technology for designing the base. There are many ways to finish the surface, and you can achieve the effect you want - you just need to put in the effort.
