Should I Have My Fireplace Painted?

A fireplace can add a warm and cozy feeling and be a beautiful focal point in any room—kitchen, family room, bedroom, etc. But what if your fireplace looks old or outdated? What if it doesn't match your decorating style?

Just like painting an interior wall, painting your fireplace can completely transform it and the rest of the room. And yes, brick can absolutely be painted. Done right, it can last for many years or be easily changed if your decorating style changes.

There are many options if you decide to paint your fireplace - unlimited colors and several painting techniques. You can also change up the mantle or the hearth.

One note of caution: Brick and stone are very porous and quickly absorb paint. If you decide to paint your fireplace, there's usually no going back to the brick or stone. So, it's important to consider all your options before taking the plunge, and Martzall's Custom Surfaces is here to help.

Benefits of Painting Your Fireplace

• Appearance
  Painting bricks with cracks, chips, or discoloration helps cover these imperfections. Furthermore, painting can bring your fireplace into the twenty-first century if the fireplace looks like something from the 60s and you're going for a more modern look.
  
  
• Flexibility
  If you decide to paint your fireplace, you aren't limited to brick or stone colors. You can paint it any color, using any sheen or technique.
  
  
• Affordability
  Painting a fireplace (or any brick or stone surface) is significantly cheaper than replacing it and can still completely transform the look and feel of an entire room.
  
  
• Easy to Clean and Maintain 
  As we mentioned earlier, bricks are porous, which also makes them prone to holding dust, dirt, grease buildup, etc. If the brick is properly cleaned, prepped, and painted, it will be easier to wash and maintain than a brick or stone surface.

Choosing a Paint Color for Your Fireplace

The best paint color for your fireplace depends on your tastes and what you want to accomplish with the transformation. If you want to make it the room's focal point, you can choose a bold, eye-catching color. If you want the fireplace to blend in, you can have it painted the same color as the walls.

Or you may want to pull a color from an existing accent in the room or create an accent wall by painting the wall and fireplace the same color (but different from the rest of the walls). You can make a bold statement by painting it black or make it neutral with shades of tan, white, or gray.

Martzall's Custom Surfaces can help you choose the perfect color for your fireplace, but here is some inspiration from House Beautiful to get your creative juices flowing.

Choosing a Painting Technique for Your Fireplaces

You can achieve many different looks using different painting techniques. Here are a few options:

• Standard Painting is precisely what you would expect. It entails preparing, priming, and painting the surface so that you can't see the color of the brick or stone beneath it.
  
  
• White Washing involves applying watered-down white paint to create a translucent coat of paint that allows the texture of the brick to show through. You can adjust the thickness of the paint to allow more or less of the original brick to show through.
  
  
• Gray Washing is the same as whitewashing but uses gray paint instead of white.
  
  
• Limewashing uses limewash paint, which contains crushed limestone turned into putty. This technique provides a more dimensional look, and unlike most paint, it can be removed within five days of application.
  
  
• German Smear (aka German schmear or mortar wash) was first introduced in Germany in the 1500s. At Martzall's Custom Surfaces, we offer a unique German Schmear finish—a blend of different shades of plaster - that has a very natural feel and gives the look of true brick, adding dimension and a slight texture. This method is less messy than traditional schmear and is one of our most popular fireplace painting techniques.

Why Hire a Professional to Paint Your Fireplace?

Remember, once you've painted your brick or stone, you probably won't be able to return to the original surface, so you want to ensure it is done right. Martzall's Custom Surfaces has painted hundreds of fireplaces. We have the experience to help you achieve your goal with the right color, technique, etc., and we have the skills and equipment to ensure it is done right.

Furthermore, painting brick or stone can be daunting and time-consuming. The surface needs to be thoroughly cleaned and dried, cracks and mortar must be repaired, bricks may need to be replaced, and the entire surface must be properly primed. Otherwise, underlying issues can quickly resurface.

Elevate the Look and Feel of Your Home With Fireplace Painting

Are you tired of looking at that dated brick fireplace? Let Martzall's Custom Surfaces transform it with a fresh new look that will update your room and delight your family.

Call us today at 717-682-2390 or connect with us online for a free design consultation. We'll listen to your thoughts and goals, analyze your room, and create a set of color choices and finishes to consider.