Although less physically demanding than covering exterior brick, painting an interior brick wall or fireplace is still time consuming. You can roll paint onto the surface of the brick, but you'll need a paintbrush to paint mortar and to catch drips and areas where paint leaks out of pores.

Is it smart to paint a 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.

Is it safe to paint fireplace brick?

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.

Is it a good idea to paint brick?

“Most brick was never intended to be painted,” says Crocker. “Long-term, maintenance-free painted brick requires careful planning.” According to the Brick Industry Association, if you paint your exterior brick, you should be repaint it every three to five years.

What type of paint should be used on a brick fireplace?

Paint the Brick

Choose 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.

How to Paint a Fireplace Box | HGTV

How do you make a brick fireplace look modern?

Brick can look dated or old fashioned, but a floating mantel is just the thing to update a brick fireplace to make it look modern. This one is especially cool because it looks like a solid wooden beam but it's actually hollow inside! That makes it lightweight and easy to install.

Do you need high heat paint for fireplace?

A common misconception about painting fireplaces is that you need to get 'heat-resistant' paint. If you are only painting the outside of your fireplace, your paint just needs to be approved to withstand temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and most general interior paint is!

Why you should not paint brick?

But by and large it is not a good idea to paint brick because the paint traps moisture. Brick is porous and absorbs some moisture when it is wet. The amount of moisture absorbed varies depending on the quality of the brick and whether the protective fire skin on the outside of the brick is intact.

Will painting brick devalue your home?

Since today's bricks are machine-made, these handmade varieties are worth preserving. Paint will only destroy their historic value, and if done incorrectly could result in structural damage to your home.

Does painting interior brick devalue home?

In fact, it is just as likely that painting brick will devalue your home.

Is painted brick a fad?

Painted brick homes have been around for a long time. It's not a fad.

Is it better to paint or whitewash a fireplace?

The choice between paint and limewash is very similar to the question between is it better to paint or whitewash a fireplace? Limewash and whitewash both give a rustic look that is very easy to maintain. Paint will give a more finished look that is more difficult to maintain.

Should we paint your fireplace?

A fireplace anchors any room it's in, even if it doesn't actually work. And whether you want to disguise it and make it less visually obvious or enhance its architectural allure, paint is the best way to do so.

Is white painted brick going out of style?

Is painted brick going out of style? Ask any exterior design expert, painting brick is not going out of style any time soon. Painted brick is here to stay as new homeowners prefer this modern look over traditional unpainted brick exteriors. Likewise, you can always change the color of your brick siding if you'd like.

Should I paint my brick fireplace white or black?

Keep It Neutral

Soft shades of black and gray work well with contemporary style rooms. Whitewashing, painting a solid light neutral color, or using a product such as Brick-Anew to create a “real brick” look will blend in with any decor. Check out the Brick Anew process to choose fireplace paint colors.

Should I paint my bricks white?

Painting brick is a great way to upgrade curb appeal and increase your home's value. Using a dark color like slate grey or even a classic white can create a major visual impact when painted correctly. Provides protection from the elements.

Are brick fireplaces outdated?

Brick fireplaces are a traditional staple in homes in many regions. However, the brick color can be very trendy – and therefore fall out of style often or quickly.

Will paint peel off brick?

After a few years, paint may require maintenance in some areas due to chipped or peeling paint. This can happen even faster if one of the walls harbors moisture, which may cause the paint to bubble and eventually peel away. Bricks are porous, so minerals within them seep into the paint, even if you primed the surface.

Should I whitewash my brick fireplace?

Whitewashing bricks inside the fireplace itself is not recommended. The importance of painter's tape to this project cannot be overstated. Whitewashing may be easy, but nobody ever said it wasn't going to be messy!

Is whitewashing brick a good idea?

However, once you paint the brick, it's permanent. The paint can chip and it can be harder to clean. Depending on your style, it may be better to whitewash your exterior, so that the originality of the brick can still shine through, it will protect the brick, and it is easy to paint over.

Can you paint red brick white?

Just because your fireplace came with an old-fashioned red-brick facade doesn't mean you need to keep it that way. If the cozy traditionalism of bare brick doesn't suit your aesthetic, you can transform the look of the whole wall by painting the brick white.

Can you flat paint brick fireplace?

For the best paint job, start with a masonry block sealer. This is nothing more than a good quality latex primer. When that has dried apply a layer or two of the color of your choice in flat latex paint. This will give a matte-finished look, something like slump stone.

Can I paint my fireplace white?

Notes. When choosing a color to paint your fireplace, consider your space! If your goal is to bring a more airy feel into the room and brighten your space, choose a white or something from a lighter color palette. Choosing a white shade also can help a fireplace blend seamlessly into a white wall.