Brick floors are a cool architectural feature, but their distinctive look may not necessarily go with all decorating styles. On top of that, bricks are uneven and hard under your feet. If you have brick floors and you want to try another option but don't want to go to the trouble of pulling the whole floor up, don't worry! We have tons of options for you to choose from.

1

Prep the brick with an acid cleaner.

  1. Clean the brick before you seal, paint, or overlay it. Sweep the brick to remove any surface dirt or dust, then dampen the bricks. Use a long-handled scrub brush to apply a 1:1 mixture of acid cleaner and water. Let the solution sit on the brick for 3-5 minutes, then scrub the bricks with your brush.[1]
    • A good cleaning might convince you that you don't need to cover your brick floors after all!
    • Acid cleaners are harsh chemicals, so be sure to wear safety goggles and protective gloves while you're cleaning. Also, open any windows or doors to ventilate the area.
    • These products are usually labeled as "acidic cleaners," "brick cleaners" or "masonry cleaners." You can also simply purchase phosphoric acid.[2]
    • If you prefer not to handle acid cleaners, scrub the floor with a wire brush and a mixture of 12 cup (0.12 L) of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and 2 US gal (7.6 L) instead. You'll still need to wear goggles and gloves![3]
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2

Seal your brick floors to give them a shine.

  1. Sealing leaves the brick exposed but enhances its appearance. Brick is porous, so it needs to be sealed to keep out water. Sometimes, unsealed (or "unfinished") brick floors are used in an interior for a more rustic look. However, that leaves the brick more susceptible to mildew and staining as it absorbs moisture. Coating the brick in a sealant like polyurethane will help prevent this.[4]
    • Apply the sealant in thin layers with a paint roller or paintbrush. Be sure to carefully follow the label directions!
    • Clean the floor thoroughly and let it dry completely before you seal it so you don't trap any dirt or moisture against the brick.
    • You'll need to reapply the sealant every 3-5 years to keep your floors protected.
3

Whitewash the brick for a subtle change.

  1. Whitewashing will allow the natural look of the brick to show through. Whitewashing doesn't completely cover the brick the way painting does—it creates a translucent finish that allows you to see the character of the brick while brightening up your space. Clean the floor thoroughly and let it dry, then mix equal parts white latex paint and water. Dip a brush into the mixture and wipe the excess on a grate, then apply it to the brick and grout in small sections and let it dry.[5]
    • For a more subtle effect, mix 1 part paint to 2 or 3 parts water.
    • If you prefer, you can also dab the whitewash onto the brick with a rag.
    • If the floor was previously painted, remove the old paint with a putty knife or wire brush.
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5

Use masonry stain to change the color without losing the look of brick.

  1. Staining the brick will still allow some of the natural variance to show through. When you paint brick, you get really consistent, opaque coverage. If you're hoping to preserve the unique character of your bricks but you just want a different color for your floor, stain might be a great option! Choose brick and masonry stain and mix it well. Then, apply the stain with a paintbrush or roller—or, to make the job easier and faster, use a paint sprayer.[9]
    • Unlike paint, stain will penetrate into the brick, so staining can be a longer-lasting option than painting.
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6

Lay a plywood subfloor over the brick.

7

Try a laminate flooring overlay for an inexpensive option.

  1. Laminate flooring looks like hardwood but costs way less. Install a laminate underlay on top of your subfloor. Then, install the laminate planks in your room, starting along the longest wall. Typically, they'll fit together in a tongue-and-groove pattern.[11]
    • Don't fit the laminate tightly against the wall—leave about 34 in (1.9 cm) of extra space so the flooring can expand.
    • The underlayment will protect the laminate from any moisture that may come up through the bricks and plywood, and it will also create a more comfortable walking surface.
    • Laminate flooring is durable and inexpensive, but it's not water-resistant and may show wear over time.[12]
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8

Install a vinyl overlay if you need low-maintenance floors.

  1. Get the look of hardwood or stone with luxury vinyl flooring (LVF). Vinyl flooring is sold in sheets, planks, or even stick-on tiles. The installation process depends on what type of vinyl flooring you buy. If you're laying planks, start by lining them up against the longest wall and work your way out through the room.
    • Stick-on tiles are really easy to use—they just need to be pressed onto the subfloor.
    • To install vinyl sheet flooring, create a large stencil of your floor with butcher paper and tape. Use a utility knife to cut the vinyl sheet, then spread the vinyl out in the room and attach it to the floor with double-sided tape.[13]
9

Go with an engineered wood overlay for warmth and durability.

  1. These are an excellent alternative to hardwood floors. Real wood floors have to be nailed into place, which won't work on top of your brick flooring. Engineered wood, on the other hand, fits together in a tongue-and-groove pattern, so each plank just snaps into place. It's actually made of layers of real wood, and you can put furniture on it the day after it's installed![14]
    • To install the engineered floor, place a foam underlayment on top of your subfloor. Then, place your wood planks one at a time, starting parallel to the longest wall in the room.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What are some tips for installing laminate flooring?
    Jacob Pischer
    Jacob Pischer
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Jacob Pischer is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Helpful Badger, a home repair service in Portland, OR. With over four years of experience, Jacob specializes in a variety of handyman services including pressure washing, cleaning gutters, repairing drywall, fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, and repairing broken doors. Jacob studied at Madison Area Technical College and has a background in real estate investment.
    Jacob Pischer
    Home Improvement Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Remember that a room is never square. Houses settle and move, so make sure you are taking measurements all the way through the project in order. The hardest part is getting your floor to line up against cabinets and under your fridge and all of that.
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About This Article

Amy Bobinger
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons. This article has been viewed 16,088 times.
7 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: February 8, 2022
Views: 16,088
Categories: Floors and Stairs
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