Should you paint a brick fireplace? Experts warn that if things go wrong, stripping it back can be hellish

There's so much beauty in a brick fireplace, but should you ever paint yours? Really, say our painting pros, it's all about personal preferences and aesthetics. But, it is important to consider the ways it can impact your brickwork, particularly as it tends to be difficult and potentially damaging to strip if you change your mind.

Here, our experts share their thoughts, with tips on how to prolong the life of your paint job if you do decide to take the plunge.

Should you paint a brick fireplace?

Anthony Kulikowski, owner of Five Star Painting in South Bend, IN, a Neighborly company, advises, 'Do it if you want a fresh, clean look, and hate the dated brick. Painted brick gives a modern look and feel, hides grime, and can completely transform a space.'

Tara McCauley, interior designer at Tara McCauley agrees from an aesthetic point of view. 'I think it's a great idea to paint a brick fireplace,' she says. 'Paint can completely transform an outdated or uneven brick fireplace.

'In one of our recent projects, a pre-war home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, the living room had a worn and irregular red brick fireplace. The original finish made the room feel off balance, with too much visual weight pulling focus from the rest of the light, airy aesthetic in the room.

'We painted the brick a fresh mint green to match the rest of the sheet-rock walls. The fireplace no longer read as a separate, clunky element, making the space feel more refined, intentional, and unified.

'Painting brick can modernize and lighten up a dated or dark focal point and create cohesion within a room, especially if the brick color feels out of place with the rest of your palette.'

However, while painting your fireplace is one of the quickest and easiest ways to update a room without a remodel, there are still some important drawbacks to consider before testing any painting hacks on your fireplace.

Carr Lanphier, CEO of Improovy, advises, 'This is a pretty common DIY project I see homeowners undertaking,' much like painting a wall or painting a door.

'However, it’s definitely something I tend to think twice about, just because I think brick has a very rustic appeal and painting it can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of results.' Anthony adds, 'Don't do it if you love the natural texture of brick or might regret it later – once it’s painted, you’re stuck with it!'

Can you paint a brick fireplace yourself?

If you're thinking about painting your brick fireplace, but wondering whether you should hire a handyman, Anthony advises, 'This can usually be a DIY project, but I always caution that it is more work that it may seem, so don't underestimate the amount of effort you'll have to put in to finish this project.'

You'll need to make sure you have the essential tools for painting a house, too, like drop cloths, brushes and rollers. The Good 10-Piece Knit Polyester Paint Tray Kit available at Walmart is a bestselling popular pick for this.

Carr also thinks painting a brick fireplace is a 'perfectly doable' DIY project, but recommends, 'If you're concerned about results, I would recommend consulting a professional for the job, since they will tend to have the knowledge, tools, and expertise required to get this done well the first time.'

How to paint a brick fireplace

'Prep is everything,' warns Anthony. 'If you rush, it'll look like a disaster.'

To do a great job when painting a brick fireplace, you will need:

• A heavy-duty cleaner, such as the TSP Cleaner available at Amazon.
• A scrub brush
• Rags
• Drop cloths and painters tape, such as the Hyper Tough Canvas Drop Cloth available at Walmart, 'Unless you love cleaning up splatter,' says Anthony.
• A high-adhesion primer, such as the KILZ Original Multi-Surface Primer available at Walmart, or Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Water-Base Primer available at Amazon.
• Heat-resistant latex or masonry paint. Anthony recommends the BEHR^® Masonry, Stucco & Brick Paint available at BEHR, or Benjamin Moore Aura paint.
• Thick-nap rollers, at least 3/4 inch nap, says Anthony, and stiff brushes. 'Trust me, smooth rollers won't cut it,' he warns.
• Optional: Whitewash or limewash for a softer finish.

'The most important first step here is to make sure your brick and mortar lines are completely clean before you start,' directs Carr. 'Brick is already a somewhat tricky surface when it comes to paint adhesion, so cleaning this surface really well will help achieve a smooth finish.

'Then you will prime the surface using either a latex primer or a dedicated masonry primer. I have found that using a high-quality acrylic or latex paint tends to adhere the best.

'You can also look for a specific fireplace paint that will give you that heat resistance you will need.'

For example, the Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint for Brick and Fireplaces available at Amazon is highly rated.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

FAQs

What is the downside of painting a brick fireplace?

One of the main downsides of painting brick is that it can cause trapped moisture, increasing the chance of spotting any signs of high home humidity. In contrast, opting to stain your bricks is far more breathable and won't chip or peel, either.

Meet our experts

Anthony Kulikowski

Anthony has been a painter since high school, working as a contractor before opening Five Star Painting in 2017.

Carr Lanphier

Carr is the CEO of Improovy, a Chicago-based painting company that believes as we evolve, the way we manage home renovation projects should too.

Tara McCauley

Tara is a New York based interior designer, and has been recognized as a 2023 House Beautiful “Next Wave” designer and featured in Architectural Digest’s AD PRO Directory. She designed the Primary Bedroom Suite at the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse in 2022, and her work has been featured in New York Magazine and NBC’s Open House TV.

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