Bob Beecham | posted on September 29, 2021 at 6:57 PM

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In the cold night, the warm, crackling fire is eternal, but the design trend will change. If you update the furniture or room decoration, the traditional brick fireplace may look outdated or inappropriate. Brick is also known for capturing soot and dirt, and it is also prone to mold.

One solution is to remodel the fireplace area. However, this is time-consuming, messy, and usually involves considerable expense. Painting on the brick wall of an existing fireplace is not only faster, easier, and less costly, but it is also highly customizable, giving you the opportunity to choose a color or finish that perfectly matches the rest of the room.

Depending on preferences, existing decor and color schemes, choosing the best paint for a brick fireplace requires a few things to do. Here are some of the best options that can be used to decorate the fireplace for a good day.

The advice on how to choose the best paint for a brick fireplace does vary, mainly because not all products are used in the same way. The following section looks at important considerations related to the performance of various types of coatings, followed by some useful tips on how to paint a fireplace, which will help ensure successful application.

The paint used around the brick fireplace does not require particularly high heat resistance, because the brick structure does not become very hot. The heat resistance of indoor latex paint is about 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is completely sufficient. The same is true for masonry coatings, where the focus is usually on whether it can withstand the low temperature outdoors. It is not clear what the specific heat resistance of chalk paint is, but it has been successfully used around fireplaces many times.

It is important to understand that these products paint the exterior of the fireplace, not the interior. Painting the firebox itself requires special high-temperature paint.

Gloss, sometimes called gloss, describes the way paint reflects light. Flat is the gloss with the lowest gloss, followed by matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and gloss (or high gloss) at the other end. Personal taste will affect the choice, but high-gloss finishes are not common on brickwork and are difficult to achieve due to the surface texture. Flat, matte or eggshells are most common.

The color of the painted brick fireplace is largely a personal decision. However, no matter what your existing decoration or decoration style is, finding the right color is not a problem. The internal acrylic resin has many colors, and the white base can usually be colored. Chalk and masonry paint also come in many colors.

Whether to use a primer is an interesting question, depending on the desired effect. Some people like translucent finishes, which can reveal some original brick colors. The popular German smearing technique can also be achieved with chalk paint. In these cases, no primer is required.

However, bricks are very porous. If it is necessary to completely hide the solid color of the bricks, even acrylic resins containing primers rarely provide adequate coverage in a single-layer coating. There are two options: either apply the second coat or apply the primer first. Generally speaking, even the best primers are cheaper. Usually they dry faster.

However, it's not just about the depth of color. The primer is designed to bond with the brick wall, seal the surface and provide excellent adhesion to the topcoat. The primer may also contain anti-mold and antifouling agents to help the painted fireplace look longer.

How to paint a brick fireplace is a topic previously discussed by Bob Vila. For your convenience, here are some key points.

Now that you have the opportunity to learn about the various aspects that will affect your choice, it's time to check out some of the best paints for brick fireplaces. These preferences have been assigned to categories related to different types of finishes, look you want, etc.

Considering that there are many ways to paint brick fireplaces, and there are many kinds of paints used, it is quite difficult to choose the best product. ONE Paint and Primer tops the list due to its ease of application, fast drying and excellent coverage.

Whether it meets the requirements to provide a single-coat solution will depend on the brick and whether the user wants a completely opaque finish. If so, a second layer is likely to be needed. This is not the paint’s fault, because it performs as good or better than the competition. On the contrary, this is due to the porosity of the brick, which acts like a sponge.

Another thing that benefits The ONE is its multi-surface capabilities. It can also be used on wood, which may make it easier for decorators to coordinate other aspects of the room.

As a paint that "will stand up to any test," Valspar Signature provides a sturdy finish that can withstand daily wear and stains-especially helpful for busy families to get a lot of use from fireplaces. It also has anti-fading and anti-mildew functions, so it should be able to maintain a good condition for a longer period of time. With a variety of colors to choose from, this water-based acrylic resin is not only versatile, but also environmentally friendly, and has obtained GreenGuard low emission certification.

Although this paint includes a primer, it usually requires additional primer to achieve the desired appearance. However, Valspar Signature's wallet-friendly price also allows the use of several coats of paint without the need for additional primers or additional paint cans.

Best primer 3 KILZ 2 Indoor or outdoor water-based primer Photo: homedepot.com Check the latest prices It is usually recommended to paint a primer for brick fireplaces, because even the so-called "single layer" acrylic resin will interact with brickwork and mortar Fight against the amount of paint absorbed. If the goal is to completely cover the original color, two or more layers are usually required. There are many advantages to using KILZ 2 primer. Its high sealing ability means it is very economical, especially because it can use cheaper standard acrylic resin as a top coat. The primer will also dry in about an hour (twice that of most single-coat acrylic resins), so the job can be completed faster. KILZ 2 is both anti-fouling and anti-mildew. Unlike more expensive primers, it does not contain mold killers, although this is usually not a problem with painting fireplaces. Due to the fast-drying characteristics, any amount of product left in the tank will soon become unusable, so it is not economical to purchase more than needed product. Product specifications Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon, 3.5 gallons, 5 gallons. Gloss: Not applicable. Drying time: 1 hour. Advantages. Excellent sealing and adhesive properties. Fast drying. Excellent value. Conshardens will not prevent mold growth once opened. Body Coating 4 Behr Crystal White Flat Masonry Coating Photo: homedepot.com Check the latest price. It can be reasonably expected that masonry coating will be the best choice for painting brick fireplaces. Oil-based masonry coatings have been very effective in the past, but contain high VOC (volatile organic compounds). These are toxic, harmful to the environment, and may cause cancer. Not surprisingly, many are banned today. A low-VOC acrylic-based alternative like this high-quality masonry paint from Behr is a good choice. Its high coverage makes it very economical, and there are dozens of colors to choose from. However, masonry paints have similar hiding properties to ordinary indoor latex paints, so the use of primers is strongly recommended. So the question may be, why use masonry paint instead of other acrylic resins? The answer is durability. Behr masonry paint is waterproof, mildew proof, and provides a particularly wear-resistant finish that can be used for up to 20 years. Product Specifications Size: 1 gallon, 5 gallons Gloss: flat, satin Drying time: 4 hours Advantages High coverage, very durable, Low volatile organic compounds Disadvantages relatively slow drying needs to be used with primer Best Whitewash5 Giani Brick Transformations Whitewash Paint for Brick Photo: amazon.com View latest prices Whitewashed tiles provide a classic look that complements many decorative styles. This stucco paint from Giani Brick Transformations is an environmentally friendly water-based formula that is easy to use. Although the product seems quite expensive at first, the dense pigment of Giani Brick Transformations means that it is usually diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2, depending on the desired result. No primer is needed because it can be used with the natural absorption qualities of the brick. The recommended technique is to paint on an area of ​​about six bricks and then wipe it off with a rag to expose some of the natural colors. This gives a classic whitewashing effect. If the rag stage is omitted, pure white can also be produced, although a second layer of brushed coating may be required. Product specifications Size: 16 ounces, 31 ounces Gloss: Not applicable Drying time: 5 hours Advantages No primer is required, easy to use Provides classic and versatile appearance Disadvantages Relatively slow drying The best price chalk paint 6 Rust-Oleum 285140 Super dumb Light interior chalk paint photo: amazon.com Check the latest price Chalk paint effect is very popular when refurbishing old furniture. The same high adhesion properties that make it usable on many different surfaces also make it suitable for brick fireplaces. As mentioned earlier, the popular German smear effect can be imitated with chalk paint, and other decorative effects are also possible. When using chalk paint, complete coverage is rarely the goal, so a primer is usually not required. The main disadvantage of chalk paint is that although it sticks easily, it also wears out quickly. In some cases, this will not be a problem, but if children are likely to play in the area, an additional layer of sealing is required. Using Rust-Oleum chalk paint may not be the fastest way to paint a brick fireplace, but it does allow individuals to explore their creativity. Chalk paint can also be used to match wooden furniture and other objects to the color scheme of the room. Product specifications Size: 30 oz. Gloss: Matte Drying time: 30 minutes. Advantages are very suitable for creative effects. Very fast drying. Good color range. Disadvantages. It may be time-consuming to achieve the desired effect. Medium durability. Also consider 7 HGTV from Sherwin Williams Home Infinity Flat Paint Photo: lowes.com Check out Sherwin-Williams, the latest price brand of leading paints. HGTV Home Infinity Acrylic Paint is worth considering. It has good environmental protection qualifications, mid-range prices and high coverage, so a little bit is of great help. Although intended as a single-coat solution, like most competitors, it requires a primer or multiple coats when used on tiles. Given its relatively slow drying time, the former may be more popular. HGTV Home Infinity provides excellent stain sealability and helps to produce a uniform finish if the original layer is incomplete. It also has antibacterial properties and can fight mold and mildew. Once completely dry, it is very durable and can be used in high-wear areas. Product specifications Size: 1 quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallons Gloss: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss Drying time: 4 hours Advantages High coverage, independent GreenGuard certification, excellent value for money Disadvantages Requires primer or multi-layer coating Drying speed is slower than competitor products

It is generally recommended to use a primer to paint brick fireplaces, because even so-called "single-layer" acrylics will struggle with the amount of paint absorbed by brick walls and mortar. If the goal is to completely cover the original color, two or more layers are usually required.

There are many advantages to using KILZ 2 primer. Its high sealing ability means it is very economical, especially because it can use cheaper standard acrylic resin as a top coat. The primer will also dry in about an hour (twice that of most single-coat acrylic resins), so the job can be completed faster.

KILZ 2 is both anti-fouling and anti-mildew. Unlike more expensive primers, it does not contain mold killers, although this is usually not a problem with painting fireplaces. Due to the fast-drying characteristics, any amount of product left in the tank will soon become unusable, so it is not economical to purchase more than needed product.

It can be reasonably expected that masonry paint is the best choice for painting brick fireplaces. Oil-based masonry coatings have been very effective in the past, but contain high VOC (volatile organic compounds). These are toxic, harmful to the environment, and may cause cancer. Not surprisingly, many are banned today.

A low-VOC acrylic-based alternative like this high-quality masonry paint from Behr is a good choice. Its high coverage makes it very economical, and there are dozens of colors to choose from. However, masonry paints have similar hiding properties to ordinary indoor latex paints, so the use of primers is strongly recommended.

So the question may be, why use masonry paint instead of other acrylic resins? The answer is durability. Behr masonry paint is waterproof, mildew proof, and provides a particularly wear-resistant finish that can be used for up to 20 years.

The whitewashed bricks have a classic appearance that complements many decorative styles. This stucco paint from Giani Brick Transformations is an environmentally friendly water-based formula that is easy to use.

Although the product seems quite expensive at first, the dense pigment of Giani Brick Transformations means that it is usually diluted with water in a ratio of 1:1 or 1:2, depending on the desired result.

No primer is needed because it can be used with the natural absorption qualities of the brick. The recommended technique is to paint on an area of ​​about six bricks and then wipe it off with a rag to expose some of the natural colors. This gives a classic whitewashing effect. If the rag stage is omitted, pure white can also be produced, although a second layer of brushed coating may be required.

When refurbishing old furniture, the chalk paint effect is very popular. The same high adhesion properties that make it usable on many different surfaces also make it suitable for brick fireplaces. As mentioned earlier, the popular German smear effect can be imitated with chalk paint, and other decorative effects are also possible. When using chalk paint, complete coverage is rarely the goal, so a primer is usually not required.

The main disadvantage of chalk paint is that although it sticks easily, it also wears out quickly. In some cases, this will not be a problem, but if children are likely to play in the area, an additional layer of sealing is required.

Using Rust-Oleum chalk paint may not be the fastest way to paint a brick fireplace, but it does allow individuals to explore their creativity. Chalk paint can also be used to match wooden furniture and other objects to the color scheme of the room.

From the leading paint brand Xuanwei, HGTV Home Infinity acrylic paint is worthy of consideration. It has good environmental protection qualifications, mid-range prices and high coverage, so a little bit is of great help. Although intended as a single-coat solution, like most competitors, it requires a primer or multiple coats when used on tiles. In view of its relatively slow drying time, the former may be the first choice.

HGTV Home Infinity provides excellent stain sealability and helps to produce a uniform finish if the original layer is incomplete. It also has antibacterial properties and can fight mold and mildew. Once completely dry, it is very durable and can be used in high-wear areas.

Due to its excellent coverage, ONE paints and primers are the best paints for covering brick fireplaces, although its price is indeed high. Valspar Signature is a high-quality alternative with a much lower cost and a wider range of colors, but it requires a primer or additional coating.

The challenge in choosing the best paint for a brick fireplace retrofit is that there are many different ways to accomplish this task. Some people like to draw the best distressed look with chalk. Others prefer the painted appearance. Modern styles may involve the use of bold solid colors.

Therefore, finding the best fireplace paint needs to consider each of these effects. Where possible, these reviews provide flexibility in gloss and color. Although each paint comes from a prestigious premium brand, these reviews will also consider the budget to ensure value for money and proper performance. The result is a choice that will allow each homeowner to achieve the results they want.

Despite the comprehensive information provided above, you may still have some questions about how to choose the best paint for brick fireplace renovations in your home. Read on to see if you have any lingering questions answered here.

In most cases, the best choice is indoor latex paint. The heat-resistant temperature of these coatings is about 180 to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you want effects or whitewashing, the alternatives mentioned above will help you achieve these goals with minimal effort.

Some common paints can be used to paint brick fireplaces, but not all types are suitable. The above information will help you choose the right product.

It depends on the product used and the finish required. Most coatings used for indoor tiles benefit from primers, but this is not always necessary.

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