Can You Paint Over Brick Floors Without Ruining Them?

If you have previously DIYed a brick floor in your home and want a change of scenery, you can paint over brick floors without ruining them, provided you take the appropriate steps. To make your brick floors look new again with a new paint job, you must thoroughly prepare and prime the surface and choose the right type of paint. Because brick is porous, meaning it absorbs moisture, you must use either masonry paint made especially for brick or acrylic latex paint, which has waterproof properties.

Painting over existing brick tile flooring can transform your brick floor, breathing new life into your living space and making everyday cleaning a breeze. It can cover up any glaring flaws or abnormalities in color and can protect your floor from any rain and snow that may be tracked into the house. However, it's important to note that improperly painting brick floors can lead to peeling and flaking, and if the job isn't done correctly, you might end up with trapped moisture between the brick and paint, leading to unsightly mold and mildew.

You'll need to do some prep work before pulling out the paint supplies for this project. Brick flooring must be completely free of surface dirt, debris, and absorbed grime before painting. To properly clean the brick floor, begin by sweeping or vacuuming away all surface debris. Then, use a brick-cleaning solution such as Rutland Products Brick and Stone Cleaner to strip all absorbed dirt. Use goggles and gloves for this step, and ensure your flooring is completely dry before moving forward.

Next, you'll need to seal your brick flooring to keep moisture out, which keeps mold and mildew at bay. You can use a masonry sealer like MasonryDefender Interior/Exterior Brick Sealer, following the provided directions. One or two coatings should be plenty, but make sure the first coat is completely dry before applying a second. Once you've sealed the brick, apply one to two layers of primer such as Behr Concrete and Masonry Bonding Primer to the floor to prepare it for painting. Primer helps the paint to adhere and further protects the floor from moisture.

After completing the preparation, you're finally ready to paint over your brick floors. Masonry paint is specially made for brick surfaces, but using acrylic latex paint may be best if you need to guard against staining. Make sure to choose a paint color for your brick floor that complements the color of your walls and fixtures to create a cohesive space.