Is it OK to paint brick fireplace?
For the most part, you can paint a brick fireplace using the same primers and interior paints you would use for the walls in your home, but the process is slightly different. Brick is relatively porous and soft, so it's important to thoroughly clean the fireplace before you start painting.
Do I need to prime my brick fireplace before painting?
Priming is especially important when painting brick because the primer offers adhesion with alkali and efflorescence resistance for masonry surfaces. Tip: Using a roller makes painting go faster and helps you apply primer evenly.
What is the best paint for indoor brick fireplace?
interior latex paintIn most cases the best choice is interior latex paint. These paints are heat resistant to around 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the best color to paint a brick fireplace?
Neutral colors like white and gray are the most common colors for painting a brick fireplace, but this is a project where you can be creative. Bold and contrasting colors can make your fireplace a true focal point.
Should I white wash or paint my brick fireplace?
Should I Paint My Brick Fireplace? If your brick is dated or you simply do not like it, by all means paint your fireplace. If you have a large expanse of brick or a really huge fireplace that you are considering tearing out, try painting it white first.
How do you modernize a brick fireplace?
How do you modernize a red brick fireplace?Whitewash or paint the brick.Stucco over the brick.Add tile to the surround or whole fireplace.Add a new mantle to the existing fireplace.
Do you need special paint for brick fireplace?
Paint the Brick Choose fireplace paint—indoor, latex, heat-resistant paint (either flat, semigloss, or gloss) that's rated to withstand temperatures generated by the fireplace (generally about 200°F). Remember that this type of paint is only appropriate for the exterior of a brick fireplace, not the interior firebox.
Do you need special paint to paint the inside of a fireplace?
Step 1: Get some high temperature paint. That means your average paint is going to quickly peel and chip off. Instead, you'll need to get some inside firebox paint paint that can withstand the heat from your fire. There are two types of heat resistant paint for fireplaces: spray and brush-on.
Should you paint brick fireplace same color as the walls?
Use the same color as the room It helps a homeowner who wishes to highlight other prominent features and take the spotlight away from the fireplace. For a subtler look, choose a shade lighter or darker than the room color so that the fireplace does not entirely blend into the room and has its unique space and look.
How do you prepare a brick fireplace for painting?
It's important to thoroughly clean the brick before you paint it. Use a wire brush and soapy water to scrub the brick and remove any efflorescence (those streaky white deposits) or dirt. If you're having trouble getting the surface clean, you can apply a mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water.
Are red brick fireplaces outdated?
Red brick fireplaces used to be a staple in the 1970's. Its warm tones complemented the flames, but not much else. If you want to update a red brick fireplace that has seen children and grandchildren grow up, try whitewashing it. Whitewashing brick turns it a pale-grey color that gives it a new, modern feel.
Is it hard to paint a brick fireplace white?
Regular household paint does not stick well to bricks or stone, so you'll need to start off with a primer that's made for concrete and brick surfaces. Start by painting over the grout lines, outer edges of the bricks and anywhere else your paint roller won't be able to reach.
Do you have to use primer on brick fireplace?
Prime the Brick A stain-blocking, oil-based primer protects your paint against future soot stains from fireplace use. Start with a small, stiff-bristled brush to get the primer inside the crevices along the mortar lines.
How do you prepare a brick fireplace before painting?
It's important to thoroughly clean the brick before you paint it. Use a wire brush and soapy water to scrub the brick and remove any efflorescence (those streaky white deposits) or dirt. If you're having trouble getting the surface clean, you can apply a mixture of trisodium phosphate (TSP) and water.
Do you need primer for brick fireplace?
Start with the paintbrush and paint along the mortar between the bricks. Then, use the roller to apply an even coat of primer to the rest of the fireplace. Because brick is porous, it will absorb what you put on it, so you will likely need to apply two coats of primer for the best results.
Does painting brick require primer?
No matter whether the brick you're painting is old or new, interior or exterior, you absolutely must use a primer. "You want a primer that will 'bite' into the brick; the better it can wrap around those pores and get into all the nooks and crannies, the better the paint will adhere," says Villar.
What is the difference between a black mantel and a white mantel?
A black or white mantel offers a simple yet classic look. A black mantel frames the fireplace and anchors the room, providing stability. A white-colored mantel has a timeless appeal , giving you the flexibility to change small accents throughout the year.
How long does it take for bricks to dry before painting?
Bricks are porous and absorb a lot of water, so allow them to dry for 24 hours before priming and painting.
When to use PPE?
You should always use personal protective equipment (PPE) when working on any project to avoid breathing in dust or getting any particles in your eyes.
Can you give a room a new look with a fireplace?
With the right attention to the prep work, you can easily give any room with a fireplace a whole new look.
Can you paint the inside of a fireplace?
Only paint the outside of your fireplace, not the interior of the fire box. Anything exposed to open flame requires a specialized, high-heat product.
Can you paint bricks with a roller?
You can then use a roller to cover the face of the bricks with paint more quickly. If you have a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, use an extension pole to reach the higher areas. A second coat of paint is recommended to ensure a long-lasting, consistent finish.
How long does it take to paint a brick fireplace?
Pick a color that matches the style of your home and the room's decor. Then follow these steps on how to paint a brick fireplace. Working time 4 hrs. Start to finish 1 day.
Can you paint a fireplace surround?
A brick surround is the best bet for painting.
Can you paint a brick fireplace?
If you've grown weary of your plain fireplace surround, a fresh color can make a huge difference. Learn how to paint a brick fireplace in just an afternoon for a stunning room transformation.
Why paint a brick fireplace white?
While the main purpose of painting a brick fireplace white is to brighten a dark, dingy element within a home, easier maintenance is a secondary benefit. Warm water, a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner, and a sponge are all it takes to keep a white-painted brick fireplace looking fresh and clean.
What is the best material for a fireplace?
When it comes to fireplaces, brick is overwhelmingly the most popular material choice for the surrounding wall. It’s affordable, and its non-flammable properties make it a practical option. But, as brick ages, it deteriorates, loses its color, and captures dirt and grime. Give yours a fresh new look by learning how to paint a brick fireplace.
How to clean a brick?
With the dust removed, it’s time to clean the surface to remove soot, chemicals, oils, and anything else that could be on the brick. Put on some rubber gloves, a respirator, and a pair of safety glasses and mix a solution of trisodium phosphate according to the directions. Use the bucket and sponge to scrub the brick.
Do you need to seal mortar before painting a fireplace?
Before painting a brick fireplace, the porous surfaces in the mortar and brick need sealing. Using a product specially designed for sealing masonry will ensure that these pores don’t absorb the paint, requiring fewer coats and ending with a better result. And the sealer will prevent stains and create a uniform basecoat for a clean finish—particularly important if your color of choice is white.
Is it hard to paint a brick fireplace?
Learning how to paint a brick fireplace isn’t hard, but it does require certain tools and materials.
Can you paint a fireplace with a dirty surround?
Even well-kept fireplaces are too dirty to paint, so a bit of preparation and cleaning is in order. Start by removing the fireplace surround, if there is one; this usually just requires loosening a few screws on the inside of the surround.
What Sheen Do You Want?
Sheen is how shiny the paint is – that is, how much it reflects light. Eggshell is lower-sheen, and it gives off a warm glow. It’s easier to apply and it shows fewer imperfections, which is important since fireplace brick is a textured finish.
What is the best color to whitewash a room?
To give your room a crisp, fresh look, go for white. Prefer a more rustic style? Try whitewashing, which lets some of the colors of the brick show through. Hassen says “A whitewashed look is great for interiors with an eclectic or vintage look. An opaque treatment is extremely versatile lending well to modern apartment designs and those with Scandinavian influences .”
What to do when red brick doesn't work?
When red or brown brick doesn’t work for your personal style, an easy way to change it is to embrace the texture, depth, and dimension of the material but use paint to change the color and better suit your design aesthetic. ”.
Can you paint a brick fireplace?
Hassen says “When painting a brick fireplace, the most important steps are in the prep work! Make sure the brick is in good condition, and if there are small cracks, you can fill these with acrylic caulk.”. Painting a brick fireplace can be a fun weekend project if you have the right paint.
Is semi gloss paint good for a fireplace?
Semi-gloss is harder to apply, and it reflects a lot of light, so it can be distracting in a bright room. But it’s easier to clean and less likely to stain. Alicia Hassen from Brooklinteriors tells us “The best types of paints to achieve either looks are an indoor latex or masonry type paint. And remember to choose heat resistant paint if you will be operating the fireplace!”
How to use masonry primer?
Pour your masonry primer into one of the 5-gallon buckets and insert a bucket screen on end; this painting tool will assist in both minimizing mess and achieving an even coat on your roller. Now dip the roller into the bucket, roll it along the screen, and repeat until it’s completely loaded with primer .
Can you paint a brick fireplace?
While a teardown of this brick feature for something more modern can be cost- prohibitive to many homeowners, you can still brush off outdated design before winter’s cold arrival by brushing up your fireplace exterior—with paint. Unlike drywall or wood, brick has a unique texture that should be taken into consideration when painting. Follow this tutorial to fix up your bare brick masonry fireplace in under a weekend.
How to get rid of a firebox smell?
A scrub brush or long- handled sponge should do the job nicely. 3. Finally, brush or spray on the high temperature paint covering the walls, sides and floor of your firebox. Remember to open windows and doors to fully ventilate the area until the paint dries since the odor is very strong. After the paint dries there should be no odor.
What to use to clean a firebox?
After the firebox has been emptied, use soap and water and a good firebox cleaner formulated to remove creosote and soot to clean the walls and sides of the firebox. Rutland makes a good brick and stone cleaner that works pretty well. A scrub brush or long- handled sponge should do the job nicely.
Why do people prefer spray paint over brush on?
Some people prefer the brush on type since it allows for more control when applying. Others prefer the spray- on since the paint can be applied faster. Either way, be sure you have plenty of ventilation since most of these high temperature paints have a very strong odor until they dry.
What does a firebox look like?
With smoke, soot, and ashes building up after every fire, the firebox looks like an ugly, dirty mess. Painting your firebox can be just the thing to give your fireplace a fresh, clean look.
Is it hard to paint a fireplace?
It’ s not as difficult as it sounds and the results you get with paint are incredible. You get a lot of bang for your buck and it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than hiring a contractor to tear out and reface your entire fireplace with another material like stone, rock, granite or tile.
What paint do I use to whitewash a fireplace?
Using a mixture of white latex paint and water ( you can read all about the process here ), I whitewashed the eighties out of my brick fireplace…
Can you whitewash over brick?
Fearing the dramatic permanence of completely painting over the brick, I opted for the safer/ less dramatic option of simply whitewashing over the brick. I knew if I didn’t like the whitewash effect, I could always paint over it entirely. This gradual approach was a great way to test the waters of a painted, brick fireplace.
Avoid the need to tear out an old brick fireplace by giving it a fresh look with a new coat of paint
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What to Consider When Buying the Best Paint for Brick Fireplaces
Advice on how to choose the best paint for brick fireplaces does vary, largely because not all products are used in the same way. The following section looks at important considerations related to the way various types of paint perform, followed by some useful tips on how to paint a fireplace that will help ensure successful application.
Tips on Prepping and Painting a Brick Fireplace
How to paint a brick fireplace is a subject Bob Vila has covered before. For your convenience, some of the key points are included here.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve had a chance to learn about the various aspects that will impact your choice, it’s time to check out some of the best paint for brick fireplaces. These top picks have been assigned categories relevant to different types of finish, the look you’re going for, and more.
Our Verdict
Thanks to its outstanding coverage, The ONE paint and primer is the best paint for brick fireplace coverage, although it does come at a premium price. Valspar Signature is a quality alternative that costs a great deal less and comes in a wider range of colors, but it needs a primer or additional coats.
How We Chose the Best Paint for Brick Fireplaces
The challenge in selecting the best paint for brick fireplace transformations is that there are a number of different approaches to the task. Some people like the distressed look that is best achieved with chalk paint. Others prefer a whitewashed appearance. Contemporary styles can involve the use of bold, solid colors.
FAQs
Despite the comprehensive information provided above, you might still have some questions about how to choose the best paint for a brick fireplace renovation in your home. Read on to see if any of your lingering questions are answered here.
