Painting

Can You Paint Brick? Pros, Cons & Costs

By Dan Sharpe · 6 min read

Can you paint brick? Yes — brick can be painted with proper masonry prep and the right primer. It's a popular way to modernize a dated exterior or brighten an interior fireplace. But painting brick is close to permanent, so it's worth understanding the trade-offs before you commit to it.

Ready to talk it through? Call (918) 265-9947 for a free, no-pressure estimate — or request one online.

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The Pros

A fresh, updated look — paint can take a dated orange-brick house to a clean, modern finish.
Curb appeal — a well-painted exterior can lift the whole look of a home.
Cost vs. replacement — painting is far cheaper than re-cladding or replacing brick.

The Cons

It's permanent — removing paint from brick is difficult, messy, and expensive.
Breathability — brick needs to release moisture. The wrong paint traps it, which can cause damage over time.
Maintenance — painted brick needs repainting on a cycle, where bare brick is essentially maintenance-free.

The Right Process

Done right, painted brick holds up well. The key steps:

Clean thoroughly — remove dirt, efflorescence, and any loose material.
Repair mortar — fix cracked or missing mortar joints before painting.
Masonry primer — a primer made for brick is non-negotiable.
Breathable masonry paint — elastomeric or masonry-specific paint lets moisture escape.

Interior vs. Exterior Brick

Interior brick — a fireplace surround or accent wall — is lower-risk because it isn't battling weather and moisture the way an exterior wall is. Exterior brick demands the right breathable products and solid prep, especially with Oklahoma's temperature swings and storms.

What It Costs

Cost depends on the size of the surface, its condition, and how much mortar repair is needed. An interior fireplace is a modest project; a full home exterior is a much larger one. We'll give you a written number after seeing it in person.

Painting Brick FAQs

It can be — painted brick refreshes curb appeal at a fraction of replacement cost. The trade-offs are permanence and periodic maintenance, since paint traps moisture if the wrong products are used.

Yes — brick needs a masonry primer and a breathable masonry or elastomeric paint so moisture can escape. Standard wall paint isn't suitable.

Removing paint from brick is difficult and costly, which is why it's important to be sure before you commit. We'll walk you through it during your free estimate.

Dan Sharpe, Owner of Premier Paint & Handyman Services — Bixby, OK.

Talk to our Tulsa painters about your project.

Can You Paint Over Existing Paint? →Cabinet Painting in Tulsa →

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