How to Paint Fireplace Brick

• Country Style
• Modern Flare
• Prepare the Brick
• The Right Paint
• Paint Application

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The stockings are hung and the children are all nestled snug in their beds as you sit and stare at the fireplace. But there’s nothing making you jolly as you look at the good old red brick. It’s dated, its red and you’ve had enough - can I paint it? Absolutely! Painting brick is a common question of design, now you only need decide what colour: antique white or semi gloss black.

Country Style

• In a charming country or transitional room, the rough feel of the antique white brick provides the perfect contrast to glazed chintz fabrics, silks, oversized florals and painted or distressed wood furniture.

Modern Flare

• In a modern space the rough texture of the semi gloss black painted brick provides a much needed contrast texture to the other smooth elements such as stainless steel, glass and exotic woods.

By painting the brick, we can maintain the wonderful texture of the brick surface while softening the overall palette of the country styled or transitional room or conversely providing a dramatic background in the modern room. With a little paint, a brush and a touch of creativity we can transform the entire mood of a room.

Getting Started

Prepare the Brick

• Prepare the brick, by cleaning the wall with a mixture of five parts water to one part TSP (trisodium phosphate) to remove any dirt or contaminants from the surface.
•  Be sure to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and use a bristle brush to scrub the brick. Rinse well and let dry.

The Right Paint for the Job

• I recommend a product called Insulcoat Interiors, also known as Liquid Ceramics, a thermal elastomeric paint.
• This thermal paint has a rating R24 rating when tested against batt insulation.
• The paint will also expand and contract with the heat making this product ideal for use on an exterior wall or surrounding a fireplace where heat may be a factor.
• Low odor and an acrylic latex base make clean up a breeze.
• Of all the paint products that I have used on Brick walls, I find this one not only the easiest to apply, but that it also provides excellent coverage and a superior finish.

Paint Application

• To apply the paint, use a one or two-inch polyester-nylon bristled brush to paint the grout lines and then roll the top of the brick using a 15 to 20 mm pile roller (long hair).

Alternatively, you may paint a brick wall using standard interior household paint. Prepare the wall as before by washing with TSP. Then apply a masonry primer to the brick. Once primed follow with two or three topcoats of latex paint. Choose a low lustier or semi gloss sheen, the more sheen the more durability and scrubability your painted brick wall will have.

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