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I NEED HELP WITH ROUGH THICK UNEVEN BRICK WALLS

9 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Any help with ideas or advice on how to modernize/improve these horrible brick walls? I have found many ideas for smooth brick walls but nothing for rough thick brick. My lounge has 3 of these walls and one rendered painted wall. Unfortunately, these walls really darken the room and we desperately need something to lighten it. Also the wall bricks are uneven (some slightly jutting out more than others) and the grooves between the bricks are very deep (as per photo). I have looked at the option of spray painting but them white but because we live in a very dusty state - have been told that the dust would show up badly. Also, I have found out that it is impossible to remove the paint at a later stage. I will have to do this myself (DIY) due to costs and unfortunately I am a complete novice. I have looked at drywall or paint on render, but because the edges are uneven and the grooves between bricks being so deep I don't know if these are even options? Any ideas/advice in detail (due to ignorance) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Diana

Featured Answer

bernbea

9 years ago

Make sure if you render you get the best advice possible. Earth movement happens to all houses so ensure the render/plaster you use has some type of expandable content in the render/plaster to minimise cracks. Do your homework, ask lots of questions from many people and come up with the solution for you. Don't skimp on the product, get quality because it will all be a waste of time, money and effort if you do not do it right in the first place. People who cut corners generally regret it down the track. Don't be daunted by the project because it will look fantastic when it is done. Good luck!!

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Comments (24)

PRO
W.yu plastering
9 years ago
Probably, at this situation. This is a tiled brick, you can knock it down or plaster over it.
Diana
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks William.
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Danielle
9 years ago
Could you paint the walls white? Might be a cheap interim solution?
Diana thanked Danielle
Jan van der Bergh
9 years ago
Render will be colder, I would dry line and paint.
Diana thanked Jan van der Bergh
riet4me
9 years ago
There is a cheaper method than rendering called "bagging out" which involves mixing cement and applying it with hessian bags (or rags) Its thinner than render & will not hide the uneven brickwork or the lines but then it is a shabby/shic look that can be spray painted with lacquer to resist the dust. Also you can add color to the cement mix as well. Or you can white wash the brickwork using paint (any color) with thinners which will again leave the brickwork lines but soften the look and lighten the color.
'bernbea' advice about full render is right good rendering is costly.
To plaster the wall with new plaster boards would be the cheapest way if you want a smooth look.
BTW Any paint can be removed by 'sand blasting' however its a messy expensive process. Hope this helps. Cheers
Diana thanked riet4me
riet4me
9 years ago
Oh I forgot to mention there are special rollers for applying paint to brickwork. Buying a good one from a trade paint specialist will be worthwhile. They are more expensive but coverage is much faster.
Diana thanked riet4me
Jan van der Bergh
9 years ago
Bagging is essentially a skim coat of render, it will still look quite rough and cold...
Diana thanked Jan van der Bergh
Nick Morgan
6 years ago
Rendering is $55 per square metre you can paint a whole wall or bag the wall for around $100
Diana thanked Nick Morgan
robandlyn
6 years ago
This post is 3 years old....
Diana
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes it is, appeared on my wall again somehow. I am finding the new information very helpful as my walls have not changed yet!!
Julie Herbert
6 years ago
plasterboard is the quickest, cheapest and easiest solution, lightens up the room immediately, paint and your done, a new modern room in no time.
Diana thanked Julie Herbert
brixnmorta
6 years ago
Hi Diana I was going to suggest Julies idea, and was looking for an article to support it - but found the opposite!

http://www.mekplastering.com.au/plaster-vs-dry-wall/

However like most projects, the budget is a main factor.

If doing it by render, make sure there's more than 1 doing it and have a spirit level.

You asked for details, hope this helps:

https://www.bunnings.com.au/diy-advice/home-improvement/walls/how-to-hard-plaster-a-brick-wall
Diana thanked brixnmorta
Diana
Original Author
6 years ago
Tnanks all for your info and links. You guys are great.

I am very keen on plaster boarding it but because some of the bricks are longer than others the walls are not flat and even so would plasterboard still be feasible? Please excuse the ignorance if this is a stupid question if it makes no difference. Thanks all for taking the time to help me with this.
PRO
Cipriano Italian Home Design
6 years ago
Could you fill in the grout a little more so the gap isn't so deep and then use a air pressure hose to get the loose dust/dirt off before painting? then ensure that the windows are closed whilst it is drying so that nothing can jump on once you're done. Hope this helps!
Diana thanked Cipriano Italian Home Design
brixnmorta
6 years ago
If we don't ask stupid questions, we may make stupid mistakes : )

Usually fixing drywall to brick requires battens then use packers (UK calls them shims) to make the edges flush.

Don't forget to int & ext corners when you get the board.

Not sure about when you get to the window.
Diana thanked brixnmorta
John Henson
6 years ago
We plaster bagged our walls then painted them with volvox paint. Here are couple of shots of the job and extras for an example
Diana thanked John Henson
Julie Herbert
6 years ago
when they put plasterboard over our brick walls they first attached batons then glued and nailed boards, it was up in a flash and it looks great, there are lots of how to go about it sites on google, it was the easiest and fastest transformation of a dark wall and has given a new lease of life and light to a once dark room.
Diana thanked Julie Herbert
siriuskey
6 years ago
These from a mid century architects house, these bricks are really rough don't see yours being a problem
Diana thanked siriuskey
m_mdimond
6 years ago
If it was me I'd use a chalk like paint and have it partially distressed by not having full colour your painter would know that would give it a kind of new York loft/industrial look if that suits your home, it would look great.
Diana thanked m_mdimond
m_mdimond
6 years ago
My pleasure hope it helps your decision, you could google the look if you can't picture it :)
Diana thanked m_mdimond
Katrina Lockhart
5 years ago

Hi dinkidi4, I'm dealing with the same thing right now. I did paint some of the walls white, which have been good for the time I've been here before doing the 'real' job, however, I don't want this really textured look from the bricks as there are too many walls. I'm about to try Dulux Acra tex on a wall to see if it gives a smoother bagged finish. So still showing the brick lines but not so rough. I'll show photos of the original bricks. Dark, very textured with lots of holes and missing bits of brick as well as deep grout grooves.

Such a hard decision - cost and I don't want to make it a flat boring plasterboard house. I have extremely high cathedral ceilings so not a cheap job to plaster either.

Excuse the white box - I was playing with it to look at removing arches.

Any thing else you've found out since would be a great help
Ruth BT
5 years ago
Katrina, our house was exactly like yours. The owners prior to us used battens and plasterboard. In the big cathedral ceilinged lounge I am considering putting in shiplap type battens to put more texture back in.
Julie Williams
5 years ago
I just painted our rough brick wall yesterday, it was pretty simple, just a whitewash of 50/50 wall paint and water.

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