Calgary Brick Staining and Painting Services

Brick is one of the most character-rich surfaces in a home, and one of the most transformable. If you have a dated fireplace, a bold feature wall, or an interior brick facade that needs refreshing, staining or painting your brick is one of the most impactful cosmetic upgrades you can make without touching the structure itself.

At Elite Trade Painting, we’ve been working with brick and masonry in Calgary-area homes for over 2 decades. We know which products hold up, which approach suits your surface, and how to get a clean, lasting result. The answer to “can you do that?” is always yes.

Brick Staining vs. Painting: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Staining and painting are both excellent options for interior brick and masonry, but they produce different results and suit different goals. Choosing the right approach depends on the look you want, the condition of your brick, and how much of the natural texture you want to preserve.

Brick staining penetrates the surface of the masonry. It saturates the brick rather than coating it, which means the natural texture and variation of the brick remains visible. Stains deliver a more organic, architectural look and allow the brick to breathe; this is an important quality for fireplaces and masonry subject to temperature changes.

Brick painting applies a heavier surface coating on top of the brick. Paint builds up on the surface, resulting in a more uniform, opaque finish. It provides greater color flexibility, including whites and lighter tones that are difficult to achieve with stain alone, and it is appropriate for both fireplaces and interior brick facades.

Neither option is permanent in the way raw brick is, but both are long-lasting when properly applied with the right products. The right choice depends on your desired finish, your brick’s condition, and your budget. Our team will walk you through both options for your quote.

Is It Safe to Paint or Stain an Interior Brick Fireplace?

Yes, painting and staining an interior brick fireplace is safe when the correct products are used. High-quality acrylic latex and masonry stain products are heat-tolerant and appropriate for fireplace surrounds and mantles. The firebox itself (the interior chamber where flames are present) should not be painted; only the exterior brick surround and mantle are treated. Our team will clearly identify the scope during your estimate.

Products We Use for Brick and Masonry

Elite Trade Painting uses premium products from our trusted paint partners — Dulux (PPG), Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore — for all brick and masonry applications. Product selection is matched to the specific surface, application type (stain vs. paint), and whether the brick is in a high-heat zone like a fireplace surround.

For interior brick painting, our preferred products include:

• Dulux Diamond — a premium interior acrylic with excellent adhesion to porous masonry surfaces and a full range of color options
• Sherwin-Williams A-100 — a high-quality acrylic latex with strong hide and durability, well-suited to brick facades and feature walls
• Dulux Weatherguard — used for brick applications requiring additional moisture resistance

Any high-quality acrylic latex or masonry-rated paint product can be used for interior brick and masonry. Our estimators will recommend the right product for your specific application.

For brick and masonry staining, we use solid-finish masonry stains from leading manufacturers:

• Perma-Crete (PPG/Dulux) — a masonry coating with a solid finish and slight sheen; offers breathability, water repellency, and excellent adhesion to porous surfaces
• Sherwin-Williams Loxon — a high-performance masonry stain with similar qualities, including breathability and water resistance, suitable for both staining and sealing masonry

Both products are single-component, require two coats, and are available in a broad range of colors. Breathability is a key factor for interior brick, particularly around fireplaces, and both of these products allow the masonry to release moisture vapour rather than trapping it behind the coating.

Our Team’s Process

Brick and masonry require more preparation than for painting a standard drywall surface. Proper prep is the difference between a finish that lasts a decade and one that peels within a year.

How Long Will the Stain or Paint Last?

On interior brick, both stain and paint deliver exceptional longevity — typically 10 or more years in normal living conditions. High-wear zones, such as mantles directly in front of wood-burning fireplaces, may require touch-ups over time due to heat and physical contact. Properly prepared brick in lower-stress areas can maintain its finish far longer.

Note: All estimates assume proper surface prep and two-coat application of a quality product.

How Do I Choose a Color for My Brick?

Going about color selection for brick is straightforward with Elite Trade Painting’s guidance. We provide:

• Physical color charts and samples from our paint partners
• Access to online color tools from Dulux, Sherwin-Williams, and Benjamin Moore
• In-home consultations with our estimators, who can advise on how your existing finishes, lighting, and room tone will interact with your chosen color

White, warm greige, and charcoal are the most popular choices for interior brickwork in current design trends, but our full product lines include hundreds of colors, and custom tints are available.

Elite Trade Painting applies brick staining and painting services across Calgary and the surrounding communities of Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere, and Okotoks. Every project begins with a detailed, transparent quote — no hidden fees, no surprises — and our work is backed by a 3-year warranty.