Is it very much possible to paint cinder blocks to look like stone?
Yes! It is. I have once advised a friend of mine to do this. Trust me. It worked out perfectly well.
Imagine having a house painted with a stone-like look.
How beautiful that can be!
Cinder Block Wall Painting To Look Like Stone
How do you paint a cinder block wall to look like stone? Cement is used to make cinder blocks; you can make your cinder wall look like stone by painting it.
To do this, you would need some shades of color or, perhaps, lighter shades. Mix them to obtain different shades to make them look like stones.
Procedures To Make Cinder Block Wall Look Like Stone
You need to combine some colors. You can try combining brown, gray, tan, and cream. How to do this? For this color combination, you can try using the following for each shade:
- Brown and gray mix
- Gray and cream
- Cream and tan
- Tan and gray
Apply the above mixtures to your wall with a flat paintbrush. The time spent painting each wall depends on the height of the wall.
In addition to the flat paintbrush and the mixtures, you would also need a cardboard box, oil-based paint, and a pressure washer.
Your flat paintbrushes should be more than one, perhaps, three. Below are the procedures for painting a cinder block wall-like stone.
How To Paint Cinder Block Wall To Look Like Stone
- Clean the Cinder Block Surface
- Mix up the Paint
- Choose the paint
- Apply the paint
I) Cleaning Up the Cinder Block Surface
This procedure is compulsory. Suppose you want to paint a cinder block wall to look like stone. Here, you would need to use the pressure washer.
Another way by which you can clean up the surface of the cinder block is by using a wet rug.
After you clean the cinder block surface, allow it to dry so the paint will dry out faster. You will also have that smooth texture for a stone wall if you let the cinder block surface dry after cleaning it.
II) Mixing Up the Paint
In this step, you will need a cardboard box. The cardboard box is for mixing the ingredients of the paint while also using a flat brush to blend it.
III) Choosing the Paint
The best type of paint for cinder blocks is oil-based paint. With oil-based paint, your cinder block wall will have a better and more realistic look on the surface.
IV) Applying the Paint
Here, you would need to use a flat paintbrush. Ensure to have up to three flat paintbrushes. Apply the paint mix to the cinder block wall and allow it dry. You will get to notice a significant change in your cinder block walls.
Cinder block painting
| PAINT COLOURS | MATERIALS |
|---|---|
| BROWN | PRESSURE WASHER |
| CREAM | CARDBOARD BOX |
| TAN | FLAT PAINTBRUSH |
| GREY | OIL-BASED PAINT |
Other materials include: Primer and plastic sheeting
Oil-Based Paint & Water Paint
As explained earlier, oil-based paint is ideal for a cinder block wall. Why is this so?
A simple explanation is that cement makes a cinder block wall. During the production of these cinder block walls, you will need a lot of water.
Cinder block walls absorb a lot of water. Therefore, if you use water paint, it will not stay well on the surface of the cinder block.
Also, oil-based paints are more potent than water paints, thus, giving another valid reason why a person should use them instead of water paint.
The Pros And Cons Of Cinder Block, Irrespective Of Its Painting To Make It Look Like Stone
Cinder block walls look fantastic when painted. However, even though these cinder blocks have advantages, you cannot overlook the opposing sides. As for the benefits, cinder blocks are known to possess the following qualities:
- High level of fire resistance
- Soundproof quality
- A considerable amount of weather resistance
- Lower energy usage
I) High Level of Fire Resistance
Understanding that blocks of cement are not flammable, cinder blocks are also considered non-flammable, so they have a high level of resistance. No one prays or wishes to have a fire occurrence. However, certain situations can be unexpected, including a fire outbreak.
Cement is used to make cinder blocks. This material is the leading cause of its non-flammable quality, which explains its high level of fire resistance.
II) Soundproof Quality
Noise/sound pollution can occur anywhere, and if you are the type who resides in an urban area, know that experiencing it is very much possible, even considering the high rate of population growth.
However, with the cinder blocks, that cannot be a problem. Cinder blocks possess soundproof quality and are so helpful in keeping your houses, as well as other places, soundproof.
III) Considerable Amount of Weather Resistance
Cement helps protect a house from the adverse effects of strong winds and heat from the sun. Using ordinary bricks for your home might not be sufficient enough. So you might try considering using cinder blocks, especially if you are the type that resides in a part of the world where there are harsh weather conditions such as high winds.
IV) Lower Energy Usage
Cinder blocks protect from deficient temperature levels during highly chilly weather conditions like winter.
When you use a heater on a cinder block wall, there is a prolonged time when the room gets heated, unlike a house made of bricks. The same applies to the summer seasons, whereby there is a reduced usage of electric cooling appliances.
Even though cinder blocks might be light, cost-effective, and vital, they also have disadvantages. Below are some reasons why cinder blocks may not be a good option, even though the pros have the upper hand.
I) High Cost:
It is not a new thing that cements blocks cost more than bricks, so you might need to consider that, including the fact that you might want to use a good brand of paint to make it look like a stone.
To explain further, making cement blocks is costly, and the whole process will get more expensive if you use a good paint brand.
II) Toxicity:
Cinder blocks can pose a threat to your garden beds as these blocks, which are made with cement and fly ash, can release heavy metals and some harmful chemicals into the soil, which can make the soil unsuitable for planting
III) Cutting Off of Certain Parts
Conditions might occur when you have a plumbing issue, and pipes are not in an accessible part of the structure.
For a plumber to be able to access the problem and fix it, you might need to cut off some parts of the cinder blocks. To avoid this, you might ensure a decent drainage system in the house.
The drainage system can also be near any water pipe to prevent plumbing issues and flooding. It is the same goes for other activities, such as fixing chandeliers in the house or other electric lights to give your room a luxurious look.
Why does this sound like a severe problem? Well, cutting out blocks is very tedious work. Besides, you will most likely, require the services of professionals, which means you would need to spend more money.
IV) Soundproof Problems
I explained earlier that cinder blocks are soundproof, which gives them an advantage over other options, but you might not fully accomplish this unless you make the wooden doors and windows soundproof.
Regarding the paragraph above, if you spend a lot on cinder blocks just because of the soundproof benefits and exclude the aspects of the doors and windows, it might all end up in disappointment and a waste.
Conclusion
You should ensure that your paintings are made randomly on the blocks. While painting, try watching out for the grout, as stone walls usually have it. Oil-based paints are ideal for painting your cinder blocks. You can as well use acrylic paint, masonry paint, etc.
One vital activity you should carry out when painting your cinder block to make it look like stone is the application of a coat of primer before painting, as this will help increase the durability of the paint. It will also help the paint adhere to the cinder block.
Once you carry out the painting, please allow it dry for not less than a day. Two days can be okay. Once that is done, finish with a coating sealer. The coat sealer helps in protecting the painted surface.
FAQS
Are cinder blocks also concrete blocks?
No. Cinder blocks and concrete blocks are not the same as there are quite some differences between them; one is that cinder blocks are made from cement though they can be made of steel, while stone and sand are used in making concrete blocks. This property makes concrete blocks heavier than cinder blocks. These concrete blocks can’t also withstand high pressure.
What is the best paint to be used on cinder blocks?
That would be acrylic latex. Ensure this paint is of high quality, which will help prevent the blocks from getting damaged. For smooth, split-face cinder blocks, consider using latex paint with acrylic.
Can cinder blocks be spray painted?
Yes, it can. Although it was mentioned earlier in this article that a flat paintbrush should be used in painting your cinder blocks, spray painting your cinder blocks to make them look like stone can also be possible. Spray paint your cinder blocks, and use plastic sheeting to create your desired designs or patterns.
Should priming come before painting?
Definitely yes! It would be best if you primed your cinder blocks before painting. This primer will help fill the pores and neutralize the high pH level. You can make use of a