Get matched with top interior painters in Arapaho, OK

While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.

Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.

Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.

In most cases, humidity above 70% is considered too high to paint in. Humid conditions will slow the paint’s drying process, which increases the risk of drips and other imperfections. Moisture on the walls is also one of the biggest reasons for bubbles in your paint and poor adhesion, so you’ll get an overall better finish if you maintain humidity under 70%.

Yes, you can paint most wall panels. In fact, many wall panels come unfinished, meaning you can stain or paint them in any color you choose. Unfinished wall panels are usually less expensive than finished panels, although you should consider the time it will take you to finish them yourself when deciding if the monetary savings are worth it. You can save some money on the labor of finishing your panels if you go the DIY route, though.

If your wall panel already has a stain or paint color on it, you can often paint over it as well. You'll just want to make sure you properly treat the area before painting.

While no-VOC paints don’t contain the chemical compounds that are toxic when they’re outgassed, they can still have an odor. This is because odors can come from other chemicals in the paint that aren’t classified as VOCs. Again, ventilation is key, especially if you plan to sleep in the room on the same day as you paint.