A well decorated fireplace can be a focal point of any room. An attractive brick color against the pale backdrop of wall invites the attention of onlookers. However, the same fireplace can become a cause of embarrassment for the homeowners, if it gets covered with soot and the paint starts peeling off. A fresh coat of paint often works wonder for such shabby fireplaces. In fact, painting is one of the most popular fireplace decorating ideas. However, one needs to be extra careful while painting fireplace, as not just any paint can do the job. Simply coating the bricks with a new paint color will not look good enough. Besides, the quality of the paint should be such that it should sustain high temperatures and direct flames.
Brick Fireplace Paint
You have a number of options available while choosing a fireplace paint. For masonry, bricks or stucco, it is recommended that you either go for high quality exterior latex paint or elastomeric paint. Both these paint varieties have their own advantages. Exterior latex paint is available in flat, gloss, semigloss or satin finish. You can choose any of these finishes according to the finish of the background wall. Elastomeric paint is a rubberized paint and is acrylic in nature. Its biggest advantage is that it can enter the cracks in the fireplace and seal them. However, do inquire about the heat tolerance and toxicity of acrylic paint.
Fireplace Paint Colors
The reason you might have decided to paint your fireplace may be that the color of your fireplace does not go well with the new carpet or furniture that you just bought. People occasionally replace their carpets and other furnishings, however, it is unusual to repaint walls and fireplaces every now and then. Hence, it is best to choose colors that can go well with any color of the furnishings in your house. Generally, brick red, taupe, black are some of colors that look great no matter what the color of your carpet or furnishing is. Alternatively, you can also paint it the same color as your walls, more so, if the walls are painted in neutral or pale colors. This will make the fireplace look a perfect fit in the wall. Bright colors like crimson, brick red, black are apt if you wish to make your fireplace a focal point of your home. In that case, you will always have to ensure that it is in the best possible condition all the time.
Ideas for Painting a Fireplace
If you only decide to paint the brick in a new color, the result may not be very promising. Instead combine your painting job with another job such as installing new tiles for the fireplace mantel. Although, this is an expensive task, the results will often be very beautiful. If that is not feasible, you can try adopting a different painting technique for the bricks. Sponge painting is a great technique if you wish to render your bricks the look of natural stone. Apply a layer of a deep paint color such as taupe, green etc. and sponge paint upon it with a neutral color such as sand, cream, beige etc.
Since, the flames are likely to scorch the paint, it is a must that the paint is fire resistant. Besides, the toxicity of the paint is another factor to consider while buying fireplace paint. The fumes erupting from the paint when you light the fireplace may cause many health hazards if they are toxic.
Thus, fireplace paint can easily transform the appearance of your soot covered, shabby looking fireplace into an attractive and elegant part of your home interior. However, choosing the right kind of paint goes a long way in achieving the desired result and protecting the health of your loved ones.
