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DIY Faux Brick Wall Panels

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This is an easy DIY tutorial on how to make faux brick wall panels by using simple materials and special paint. A quick and easy way for building a brick wall backdrop for photography purposes.

faux brick wall panels

As a photographer of my own craft tutorials, I always search for variations in photography props including backdrops, tables or floors, light compositions, and other related decorations to make a pleasant scene just like those pictures shown in the magazine. One of my favorite backdrops and also the hardest one to find in my area is painted old brick walls.

Sometimes, in order to make my photos more impressive, I will bring my handmade to other places for photography, such as beaches, restaurants, parks, jetties, etc… That’s why you may notice that I need more time to prepare my tutorial which is normally 1 or 2 weeks of lagging. But, if I have a choice, I prefer to do the photography in the comfort of my home. With that in practice, that means I need some portable backdrops… fabrics and wooden backdrops came easily, but real brick is impossible to be “portable” due to its weight.

Faux Brick Wall Panels

scroll ⬇️ to get the how-to DIY tutorial

faux brick wall panels

Basically, I have put off the idea of having a real brick wall in my home till I renovated my new condominium. By then I will purposely make a painted old brick wall at one of the corners just for the sake to make my dream come true.

However, things changed until I chanced upon a great idea at my local Ace Hardware Store. For the fact that I was searching for some aerosol paints for repainting my old wicker basket when I saw the “Make It Stone!” texture paint on the shelf. For that split second, I was so impressed with the effect shown on the cap of the aerosol can. So, I bought it back and thinking of “stoning” my old plastic wall-hung planter. But, I changed my mind to make a faux brick wall panel with this paint after recalling that I saw a video using polystyrene foam panels to make similar backdrops for the stage.

faux brick wall panels

I am glad that I had a sudden inspiration of making it and see how I did it after the jump….. Thereafter, you will see it appears in my photos more often too. Can you see The Elephant family walking passed the faux brick wall or a monkey sitting against the faux brick wall panel? Click the link to get the free elephant sewing pattern and the sock monkey sewing pattern.

Comment below to tell me what do you think about this DIY faux brick wall panel? Does it look like a real one or do I need to put in more work to improve it?

If you find this faux brick wall panel inspiring, we have more DIY tutorials for Home Decor.

faux brick wall panels
diy faux brick wall panel

DIY Faux Brick Wall Panels

Yield: Faux brick wall panels
Active Time: 1 day
Additional Time: 1 day
Total Time: 2 days
Difficulty: Avid Beginner
Estimated Cost: USD 50

As a photographer of my own craft tutorials, I always search for variations in photography props including backdrops. One of my favorite backdrops and also the hardest one to find in my area is painted old brick walls.

Hence, I made this faux brick wall panel using polystyrene foam panels and 'Make It Stone!' texture paint.

Materials

  • Polystyrene Foam / Styrofoam, 1/2" thick, 2′ x 4′
  • Wooden panel, 2 1/2′ x 4′
  • Primer (aerosol), Brand: Krylon, color: Gray (buy on Amazon.com)
  • “Make It Stone!” texture paint, Brand: Krylon, color: Black Granite (buy on Amazon.com)
  • Wood glue / PV Glue / White Glue
  • Old newspapers

Tools

  • Polystyrene foam cutter
  • Sponge applicator
  • Soldering iron/soldering gun (removable tip)
  • Pen & ruler

Instructions

HOW TO DIY FAUX BRICK WALL PANELS

  1. Mark 2 1/2" x 8" on the polystyrene foam with a pen and ruler.
    Cut them out with the cutter, don’t have to be very straight.
    Mark the brick spacings on the wooden panel, about 3/8" apart. Polystyrene
  2. Apply glue on both panel and polystyrene foam.
    Glue the brick foams on the panel.
    Try no to let the glue touches the upper side of the brick foams, it may prevent proper melting with soldering iron. faux brick wall panels
  3. Create some stone debris between the gaps by gluing some small broken pieces of polystyrene foams. faux brick wall panels
  4. Leave it dry until it is safe to work on. I left it overnight as I wasn’t free to continue the work until the next day. faux brick wall panels
  5. When the brick foams have securely adhered to the panel, take out the soldering tip and switch on the soldering iron and let it heat up.
    [Remark: I used my workshop’s soldering station with temperature control (I was an Electronic Engineer with lots of hands-on experience)… but you can just use a normal one with a removable tip.]
    Melt the brick foam’s edges with the soldering iron and make them rounded. Lightly touch the foam to make dented holes to faux an aged brick.
    Do light damage on the first round, repeat if you want more serious damage.
    Warning: the fume generated could be toxic, please do this in a well-ventilated room or wear a mask. faux brick wall panels
  6. Spray a layer of primer onto the brick foam in a well-ventilated space / outdoor. Remember to place some old newspaper to prevent the paint from staining your floor or table.
    See some white spots on the brick foam? They were in fact melted spots due to the primer’s solvent, I didn’t shake it well in the first place. So, do remember to shake the primer well and get them mixed up to prevent this from happening. Luckily the brick was meant to have a damaged look, so I am safe even with the roughness that appeared on the melted spots!!! Phew! faux brick wall panels
  7. Leave the primer to dry for a few minutes to 1/2 hour or as per the instruction on the label.
    Topcoat it with the “Make It Stone!” texture paint. This texture paint is really awesome and works like magic. A quick thin layer makes such a big difference.
    The instruction said that it only covers 6 square feet, it actually covers more than that. I used 1 can for 3 coats. faux brick wall panels
  8. A closer look at the texture of the faux brick wall, basically it is like some tiny paint splashes in black, gray, and white tone. faux brick wall panels
  9. After 3 coats and the faux brick wall panel is completed, leave it to dry until it is safe to handle.
    I am more than happy with the result. Perhaps when I get bored of gray, I will repaint it to white using the same “Make It Stone!” texture paint. krylon make it stone

Notes

  1. Choose a similar primer coat to suit your texture paint topcoat.
  2. Please read the instructions on the can/tin before using paint spraying.

Get the full article at https://www.craftpassion.com/diy-faux-brick-wall-panel/

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DIY Faux Brick Wall Panel

Tools & Materials:
1. Polystyrene Foam / Styrofoam, 1/2″ thick, 2′ x 4′
2. Wooden panel, 2 1/2′ x 4′
3. Primer (aerosol), Brand: Krylon, color: Gray [buy at Amazon.com]
4. “Make It Stone!” texture paint, Brand: Krylon, color: Black Granite [buy at Amazon.com]
5. Polystyrene Foam cutter
6. Wood glue / PV Glue / White Glue
7. Sponge applicator
8. Soldering iron/soldering gun (removable tip)
9. Pen & ruler
10. Old newspapers

Note:
Choose a similar primer coat to suit your texture paint topcoat.
Please read the instructions on the can/tin before using paint spraying.

 
Polystyrene

Mark 2 1/2″ x 8″ on the polystyrene foam with a pen and ruler.
Cut them out with the cutter, don’t have to be very straight.
Mark the brick spacings on the wooden panel, about 3/8″ apart.

 
make faux brick wall panel

Apply glue on both panel and polystyrene foam.
Glue the brick foams on the panel.
Try no to let the glue touches the upper side of the brick foams, it may prevent proper melting with soldering iron.

 
gluing styrofoam

Create some stone debris between the gaps by gluing some small broken pieces of polystyrene foams.

 
styrofoam bricks

Leave it dry until it is safe to work on. I left it overnight as I wasn’t free to continue the work until the next day.

 
faux brick effect

When the brick foams have securely adhered to the panel, take out the soldering tip and switch on the soldering iron and let it heat up.
[Remark: I used my workshop’s soldering station with temperature control (I was an Electronic Engineer with lots of hands-on experience)… but you can just use a normal one with a removable tip.]
Melt the brick foam’s edges with the soldering iron and make them rounded. Lightly touch the foam to make dented holes to faux an aged brick.
Do light damage on the first round, repeat if you want more serious damage.
Warning: the fume generated could be toxic, please do this in a well-ventilated room or wear a mask.

 
primer

Spray a layer of primer onto the brick foam in a well-ventilated space / outdoor. Remember to place some old newspaper to prevent the paint from staining your floor or table.
See some white spots on the brick foam? They were in fact melted spots due to the primer’s solvent, I didn’t shake it well in the first place. So, do remember to shake the primer well and get them mixed up to prevent this from happening. Luckily the brick was meant to have a damaged look, so I am safe even with the roughness that appeared on the melted spots!!! Phew!

 
make it stone

Leave the primer to dry for a few minutes to 1/2 hour or as per the instruction on the label.
Topcoat it with the “Make It Stone!” texture paint. This texture paint is really awesome and works like magic. A quick thin layer makes such a big difference.
The instruction said that it only covers 6 square feet, it actually covers more than that. I used 1 can for 3 coats.

 
brick texture

A closer look at the texture of the faux brick wall, basically it is like some tiny paint splashes in black, gray, and white tone.

 
krylon make it stone

After 3 coats and the faux brick wall panel is completed, leave it to dry until it is safe to handle.
I am more than happy with the result. Perhaps when I get bored of gray, I will repaint it to white using the same “Make Tt Stone!” texture paint.

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Emma

Wednesday 24th of May 2017

Hi there, I know this isn't a recent blog post but I've just found it and I love the finished result of your project, and thank you for sharing your process. I have a question about the spraypaint - in the past when I've used spraypaint or certain glues (UHU) on polystyrene, it completely dissolved away the polystyrene. So I'm just wondering whether you know if you need to avoid a specific kind of base ingredient or chemical in the spraypaint to avoid damaging the polystyrene? I'm in the UK so have not been able to find Krylon spraypaints when I've looked in the past, especially for the usual short-term deadlines! Thank you x

Craft Passion

Wednesday 24th of May 2017

Good question Emma. Polystyrene foam will get damaged when it gets into contact with solvent, certain range of UHU contain solvent so it is not suitable provided you use the solvent free type of UHU. As for the spray paint, you can use any brand and not necessarily that specific brand I am using. Just keep in mind that you need to spray from a distance, firstly, you will get smoother surface and even paint coverage., secondly, most solvent will evaporate before it touches the surface of the polystyrene.

Angi

Saturday 25th of March 2017

Looks beautiful, but I am curious to the practicality of using this method on a wall that may have daily contact just by living? How durable and messy??

Craft Passion

Monday 27th of March 2017

It is only suitable for temporary decoration.

tina

Sunday 15th of November 2015

I'm inspired I have to do this! And I'm having a hard time finding a half inch thick styrofoam brick where did you find Yours? Thank you so much for this idea love it. Thank you for dharing.

Craft Passion

Tuesday 17th of November 2015

Hi Tina, I bought the foam from a local art and craft shop. Hope you are able to find yours soon :)

Edgar

Thursday 6th of August 2015

hi, my question is about the stiffness of the finished product. I guess a better way to put it is. Does the foam become rigid? after applying all of the paint and the "Make it stone!" is the foam hard to the touch or will it dent in if by some chance someone pushed down to hard on it?

Craft Passion

Thursday 13th of August 2015

Hi Edgar, This is panel is not suitable for high traffic place. It is good to see but not strong enough if someone press on it.

Linda Nguyen

Monday 6th of July 2015

Awesome idea! I'm planning to use this idea to do a wedding back drop for the reception. How many wooden panel you think I need and styrofoam? Also, any ideas on how I can get it to stand up if I can't use hooks or don't have a wall to have it lean on. Thanks in advance.

Craft Passion

Wednesday 8th of July 2015

Hi Linda, You will need to do a bit of mathematics on the quantity you will need for the back drop based on the dimension given here. As for the support, I am thinking that a big whiteboard stand will be great for you to lean or hang the faux brick wall panel on, but be sure that it can support the size of your back drop.

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