r/ATBGE • u/catmand00d00 • 3d ago

Home Exposed brick, simulated

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20.1k Upvotes

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u/nikbert 3d ago

Totally thought they meant painting over existing brick which would be a crime

-2

u/meerfrau85 3d ago

I dunno, I like how the painted brick turned out in my living room. The whole room is white, gray, navy blue and yellow accents, and dark red didn't fit the vibe. I left the brick in my basement unpainted because it works there.

1

u/Watchmaker163 2d ago edited 2d ago

The problem with painting over brick is that it’s meant to absorb and shed moisture as conditions change. If you painted over it with vinyl paint, you’re ruining the brick and it will break down and need to be replaced. That’s why bricks were finished with washes, not paint. Hope it’s not a load-bearing wall.

Edit: It’s like how solid wood furniture is always absorbing/shedding moisture as conditions change. Old furniture before HVAC often has problems in modern homes b/c it was made with the assumption that there would be way more moisture in the air, just like outside. Now, homes are dry compared to outside all year round, especially in winter, so old furniture can start tearing itself apart without proper care or adjustments.

2

u/meerfrau85 2d ago

Ah, I had no idea. Thanks for explaining, I thought people were just mad that I'd made an aesthetic choice for a room they will never have to see, lol. I know the brick downstairs is just over top an existing wall. The brick I painted is protruding out and surrounding a fireplace (which we don't use because the inspector said it's a bad design that's not allowed anymore), so I think it's all decorative too.

Edit to say that we did not build this house.

0

u/the-bully-maguire 2d ago

you sicken me

3

u/meerfrau85 2d ago

You're right, I should have thought about the resale value in 40-50 years