Learn to paint brick with tips from JC Licht in Chicago, IL

Have you been searching for a way to make your brick house stand out in a neighborhood of brick houses? Or maybe your exterior is so faded and worn it’s starting to remind you of some sort of historical society. Then it might be time to call in the reinforcements…a fresh coat of Benjamin Moore paint!

Painting brick is a great way to spruce up the exterior brick of your home…and interior brick too. If you have a brick fireplace that just needs some updating or want to add some character to an old brick wall, painting is a new trend that can score major style points while also protecting that well-loved, timeless brick design.

The great thing about painting brick is that the beautifully laid framework is already there; it just needs an infusion of color. Benjamin Moore carries a wide range of interior and exterior paints that are great for painting brick. All you need to do is decide how bold or traditional you want the colors to be!

Pro Tip: Painting brick is a great DIY project.

Keep in mind that once you paint over that brick, there’s no going back. You can always repaint in a new color, but you’ll never have that traditional red brick look again. But don’t let that scare you because painting the brick in and on your home is a great way to upgrade your space without a major renovation.

Do you feel like you’re ready to take the leap into painting brick? Then let’s do this together! We’ve got all the tips, tricks, and inspiration you’ll need to refresh your interior or exterior brick. Visit yourlocal JC Licht store for all thepai n ting supplies and advice you’ll need to create a stunning space for you and your family.

Become the Talk of The Town (in a good way!)

If your façade could use a little facelift, it might be time to revive that traditional brick with a fresh coat of paint. White is a striking, neutral color that’s popping up on brick houses across the Chicagoland area. Although white is always classic, don’t be afraid to choose a bold color, like a deep blue.

Blue front door with painted white brick. Shop paint at JC Licht in Chicago, IL

Don’t choose a color without thinking about the color of your roof, shutters, doors, and other accents first. While the color you select should be complementary, you can also show a little personality. Think of a white brick exterior with jet black shutters or gray painted brick with navy blue shutters.

It’s important to consider the amount of sunlight your house gets before you decide on colors. If you have a northern or eastern exposure, you’ll want to use paint hues with warm undertones to offset the natural coolness this exposure presents. If you’re considering white, colors likeSimply White OC-117,Swiss Coffee OC-45, orCloud White OC-130 are great options.

Alternately, if your home has a southern or western exposure, look for colors with creamy or yellow undertones to complement the intense natural light. If creamy undertones aren’t your style, opt forWhite Dove OC-17 orCloud Cover OC-25.

Pro Tip: These color recommendations also apply to interior brick painting. Think about the direction your room faces before deciding on what color you choose because the amount of natural light will play on the undertones of each color.

If you need help choosing a color that will work for your home or just want to discuss painting your brick, the color consultants at JC Licht are always available to chat!

Flood Your Interior with Color

Repainting a brick fireplace or brick wall can not only update the space and give the room a fresh look, but it can also add so much character! Painting brick fireplaces, in particular, can create a stunning focal point in the room.

A stark white creates a crispness that allows other colorful elements to shine, like a piece of artwork on the mantle. To get the look, paint withChantilly Lace OC-65 – it’s pure white with no undertones which allows it to be the perfect backdrop for more dramatic accent pieces.

You can also choose an actual color! Contrasting shades of gray, charcoal gray, or blacks are popular if you want a more edgy, modern, or bold approach for your interior.

Black and Gray Bricked Living Room With Fireplace. Paint your bricks with paint from JC Licht

If you’re panting your brick interior, we recommend choosingBenjamin Moore Regal® Select,Benjamin Moore Aura®, orBenjamin Moore ADVANCE® interior paints. They will go on smoothly and cover your bricks beautifully.

JC Licht has 48 convenient locations throughout the Chicagoland area, so stop in today to get your premium Benjamin Moore paint.

Going the DIY route? Here are a few tips:

As with any painting project, you want a clean surface. Start your project by thoroughly brushing your brick area with a stiff wire brush. Dust, dirt, and other debris tend to accumulate on the mortar lines between the bricks, so pay special attention to those areas. Once the dust and dirt are gone, wash the surface using soap and water to get a nice, clean surface to start your DIY brick painting.

The brick surface will need to be primed, and we’d recommend a high-quality acrylic latex primer likeFresh Start High-Hiding All Purpose Primer orINSL-X Aqua Lock™ Plus.

Don’t know where to start painting? A good rule of thumb is to paint in all the mortar lines with a brush first and then use a roller to paint the bricks’ face.

Modern White Brick Wall. Shop paint at JC Licht in Chicago, IL to paint your brick

For all your brick painting supplies, check out yourlocal JC Licht store ororder online.

A Brief Note on Lime Washing

Lime washing adds so much character to the brick and adds a lovely textural element because you can still see the natural tone of the brick peeking through the layers of paint. This is a great exterior look for historical exteriors or old-world fireplaces, as it still pays homage to the brick while giving it an updated look.

To achieve that iconic whitewashed look, we recommend purchasing your lime wash from a manufacturer, likeRomabio, or making it yourself by mixing lime powder and water (you can easily find the ratios of water to paint online).

JC Licht has been serving Chicagoland for over 100 years, and we know painting inside and out. If you need advice or tips on painting your brick, we have theresources and supplies you need to get the home you’ve always dreamed of.

We always love a good DIY project, so if you’re tackling brick painting yourself, share the before and after photos with us onsocial media by tagging @JCLicht!