How to Paint Brick Flooring
Bricks are sturdy masonry materials made by pressing clay into blocks, which undergo a high-heat baking process. When bricks are used for building upright walls or floors, mortar usually holds the bricks in place. Brick floors offer a rustic appearance and require very little maintenance. If you do not care for their natural appearance, painting the brick is an option. Because brick is a porous material, it requires some prep work before you apply the paint. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Liquid TSP substitute
- Paint rollers
- Masonry primer
- Interior latex paint
- Clear urethane sealer
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Instructions
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Clean the brick floor, using a liquid TSP (trisodium phosphate) substitute. Follow the mixing and application instructions on the packaging label.
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Roll on one coat of masonry primer. Apply a single, even coat with a 1/2-inch-nap synthetic roller cover. Allow the masonry primer to dry for 24 hours.
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Apply one to two coats of interior latex paint. An acrylic semigloss or satin paint of your color choice is best. Roll the paint on with a clean 1/2-inch-nap synthetic roller, and allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.
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Complete the project by rolling on one to two coats of clear urethane sealer. Allow 24 hours of drying time between coats.
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Wait approximately four days before walking or placing furniture on the floor. This will give the urethane enough time to cure before use.
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Tips & Warnings
Liquid TSP substitutes are heavy-duty cleaners that remove dirt and grime from brick. The cleaner is highly concentrated and requires mixing; usually 8 tsp. to 1 gallon of water, applied with a rag or mop. Rinsing afterward depends on the manufacturer's instructions.
Primers, paint and sealers all give off fumes that can be overpowering without proper circulation. Open all the doors and windows in the area where you will be painting the brick flooring.
References
Resources
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