Painting Makeover at its Finest! Three Steps to Achieving a Dramatic Brick Fireplace

As we are entrenched in the coldest months of the year, we’re sure you’ve turned up your furnace a time or two. Brick Fireplaces are especially amazing because not only do they provide warmth for the entire house, they also act as a dramatic centerpiece for whatever room they’re in. But as you and your family gather ‘round the fire you may notice — after years of wear and tear -- that your fireplace isn’t in as good shape as it used to be.

If your fireplace is covered in soot and cobwebs, chances are it’s due for a cleaning -- or even a complete makeover! Afterall, there’s no better way to freshen up your living room than by painting your brick fireplace in a fresh, new color.

Cleaning the Bricks 

Before adding any paint to your fireplace, be sure to remove any wood chips or ashes from the fireplace with a shovel. To remove dust, cobwebs, or soot try using a combination of a handheld vacuum and wire brush. From there, you can use a rag soaked in warm water and soap to clean up any leftover stains. If you’re looking for a really deep clean you can even try using a specially made fireplace-cleaning solution.

Priming the Bricks

After you’ve finished cleaning the fireplace, the second step you have to take to paint your fireplace is to first prime the bricks. This is largely because the bricks will absorb all of your paint if you try to use paint right off the bat. The primer, however, ensures that when you do paint you’ll have an even coat. Use a small brush to coat the mortar lines, and once you’ve gotten the primer in these tight spaces, use a large roller to go over the whole surface of the brick fireplace. Use a second coat of primer to create a tight seal before you begin painting. 

Painting the Bricks 

Use a similar technique as priming to paint the bricks — that is, start with a small brush and move on to cover the entire fireplace using a paint roller. You can use latex-based paint for the exterior, but if you plan on painting the interior of the fireplace, be sure to use fire-resistant paint. 

 At Ameri-Pro Painting, we have the experience to handle any painting job you throw at us. Whether you’re looking to remodel your fireplace or paint your exterior walls, we’ve got it covered! Just call us at (716) 316-4759 or scroll down below to receive a free estimate of our services.