Does your home have beautiful, but perhaps dated, interior brick walls? Many homeowners love the texture brick adds, but sometimes those reddish-brown tones just don’t fit the modern look they want. Painting interior brick seems like a simple fix, but it can quickly turn into a confusing project. Which paint will stick well? Will it look flat, or worse, chalky? You worry about trapping moisture or ruining that classic brick texture forever.
Choosing the correct paint for brick is crucial. The wrong choice leads to peeling paint, mold, and lots of wasted time and money fixing mistakes. You need a product that bonds tightly to the porous surface and lets the wall breathe. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best types of paint specifically designed for interior brick, explaining the pros and cons of each so you can choose confidently.
Keep reading to learn the secrets to a professional, long-lasting painted brick finish. We will cover preparation steps, the top paint recommendations, and application tips so your project turns out perfectly the first time.
Top Paint For Interior Brick Recommendations
- This paint must be diluted at at least a 1:2 ratio with water to achieve full coverage. See images for more details.
- Water-Based Acrylic Paint. Safe, Low on Odor, and VOCs
- Covers 100 Sq. Ft. of Brick Surface
- Transforms in Five Hours
- Revolutionary spray paint technology that provides exceptional coverage
- Ultra-durable finish on a range of surfaces - wood, metal, plastic, glass and more
- Dries within 5-minutes for less time between coats
- No drips or streaks
- Specialized formula provides a factory finish
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- This high-quality, acrylic latex water-base interior/exterior paint offers excellent hiding properties with great adhesion and water repellency on textured interior and exterior surfaces
- This self-priming paint offers a finish on properly prepared smooth, rough and textured masonry, drywall, stucco, and brick surfaces
- It is alkali-resistant up to ph 12.0, easy to apply, and cleans up with soap and water. This paint can be rolled, Brushed, or sprayed on
- This formula is designed to accentuate all textured surfaces while achieving a natural look
- This is a 1-Gallon can of KILZ interior/exterior concrete, brick, and tile paint with a flat finish. Covers 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on surface texture
- Colour: Matt Black.
- To apply, use a large brush and apply evenly
- The surface area must be clean, dry, free from dust and other contaminants likely to affect adhesion
- This premium, interior/exterior paint is formulated to waterproof and seal porous concrete and masonry surfaces both inside and outside your home.
- Using nanotechnology, this paint forms a barrier to help stop water infiltration while an alkali resistant coating provides a long-lasting, durable and decorative finish.
- Apply this paint on properly prepped and cured above and below grade basement walls, masonry walls, retaining walls, cinder and concrete blocks, stucco and brick. Do not use on floors or on walls with active water leaks. Apply using a high quality 1/2"-3/4" nap roller, 4" nylon/polyester brush or an airless sprayer capable of delivering 2200-3200 PSI or greater using a .023"-.025" spray tip.
- Prime all uncoated, patched, chalky, and adjacent wood and/or metal surfaces with KILZ Premium Primer. For below grade application, fill all holes/cracks with hydraulic cement prior to painting. A minimum of two coats of this product are required for optimal results. Paint dries to touch in one hour and can be re-coated in 4 hours depending on humidity.
- This is a 1-gallon can of Interior/Exterior Basement and Masonry Waterproofing Paint, White, 1-gallon in white. Depending on surface porosity, 1 gallon covers 75 to 125 square feet per.
- Self-Priming formula - requires no sanding
- Mold & Mildew-Proof paint film - guaranteed for 5 years
- Resists dirt and moisture on film coating
- Finish is washable and scrubbable with soap and water
- Product contains a mildewcide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on the paint film only
- 250ml/8,45fl oz - Single pack
Painting Your Brick Indoors: The Essential Buying Guide
Brick walls inside your home can look cool. Painting them is a big job. This guide helps you pick the right paint. It makes your project easier and looks great for years.
Key Features to Look For
Not all paints work on interior brick. You need special features. Look for these things when you shop:
- Adhesion Power: The paint must stick well to the rough brick surface. Good adhesion means the paint won’t peel or chip later.
- Breathability (Vapor Permeability): Brick walls need to breathe. If moisture gets trapped behind the paint, it can cause peeling or mold. Look for paints labeled as “breathable” or “vapor-permeable.”
- Coverage and Hiding Power: Brick is very porous. You need paint that covers the dark color in just one or two coats. Higher quality paints offer better hiding power.
- Durability and Washability: Interior walls sometimes get bumped. Choose a finish (like eggshell or satin) that resists scuffs and lets you wipe off dirt easily.
Important Materials: What Kind of Paint Should You Use?
The type of paint matters a lot for brick. You generally have two main choices:
Latex (Water-Based) Paints
These are the most common choice for interior brick. They clean up with soap and water. They dry fast and usually smell less strong than oil paints. Make sure you use a high-quality 100% acrylic latex for the best flexibility and breathability.
Specialty Masonry Paints
Sometimes, these paints are best for very old or damp brick. They are specifically designed to handle the unique surface of masonry. They often have superior sealing and breathing qualities.
Important Note on Primer: Always use a quality masonry primer first! Primer seals the porous surface. It helps the topcoat stick better and stops the brick from soaking up too much expensive paint.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a paint job excellent or terrible?
Quality Boosters:
- Surface Preparation: Cleaning the brick really well improves quality a lot. You must remove all dust, grease, and loose debris.
- Using the Right Primer: A dedicated masonry primer is essential. It locks down the surface.
- Allowing Proper Curing Time: Don’t rush! Let the paint dry and harden (cure) completely between coats, as the can suggests.
Quality Reducers:
- Painting Over Damp Brick: If the wall is wet inside, the paint will fail quickly. Always check for moisture issues first.
- Using Interior Wall Paint Not Made for Masonry: Standard drywall paint lacks the grip and breathability needed for brick. It often leads to peeling.
- Skipping Primer: If you skip primer, the paint soaks unevenly, leading to patchy color and poor sticking power.
User Experience and Use Cases
How people use the paint affects what you should buy.
Fireplace Surrounds and High-Traffic Areas:
If you paint a fireplace, the paint must handle heat changes. Use paints rated for high heat if the brick gets warm often. For areas people touch a lot (like the base of a wall), choose a durable, scrubbable finish (satin or semi-gloss).
Basement or Exposed Brick Walls:
Basements can sometimes be damp. Here, breathability is your number one concern. You want paint that lets any small amount of moisture escape without blistering the paint layer.
User Tip: Test a small area first! Brick color varies widely. A small test patch shows you exactly how the finished color will look once dry.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Painting Interior Brick
Q: Can I just use regular interior wall paint on brick?
A: No, you should not. Regular paint does not stick well to the rough, porous surface of brick. It often peels off over time.
Q: Do I need a special primer for interior brick?
A: Yes, always use a masonry primer. Primer seals the brick so it doesn’t suck up all your expensive paint and helps the topcoat stick strongly.
Q: What is the best paint finish for interior brick?
A: Eggshell or satin finishes are usually best. They look nice and are easier to wipe clean than flat paints.
Q: How many coats of paint do I need?
A: Most projects need two coats of topcoat. If the brick is very dark or rough, you might need three coats for perfect, even color.
Q: Can I paint over old paint on interior brick?
A: Yes, if the old paint is firmly stuck. You must clean the surface well and lightly sand it before priming and painting again.
Q: How long does it take for the paint to dry?
A: Latex paints usually dry to the touch in 1 to 4 hours. However, you must wait 24 hours or more before applying the next coat, depending on humidity.
Q: Will painting brick trap moisture inside the wall?
A: It can, if you use the wrong paint. Always choose a breathable or vapor-permeable paint to let moisture pass through safely.
Q: Is painting interior brick very messy?
A: It can be messy because the surface is rough. Use high-quality brushes and rollers designed for textured surfaces. Always cover your floors well.
Q: What if my brick is very old and crumbly?
A: You must repair loose bricks and use a specialized masonry sealer or primer first. Do not paint over crumbling material; the paint will just fall off with the dust.
Q: Can I use oil-based paint on interior brick?
A: Oil-based paints stick well, but they are hard to clean up and do not breathe as well as modern acrylic latex paints. Latex is usually the preferred, easier choice today.