paint the fireplace?

[salmonhunter]

I ordered a PE insert and Im thinking i want to paint the red bricks around the fireplace. Just wondering if this is safe to do or not? I know lots of people paint the bricks but I assumed they only do that if the fireplace doesnt get used

 

[fossil]

I don't think it's (the paint) a big problem. I (personally) don't really understand why you would want to do it...but of course, I don't need to understand it. I do know that once you do it, if you ever change your mind, it's an absolute nightmare to try to undo. Can you imagine sandblasting the thing? My questionable counsel would be to think about it for a bit longer before you lay brush to brick. You may not always own this brick. Moving this over into the DIY forum, since that's really what we're talking about here. Rick

 

[salmonhunter]

This is not my fireplace but the before is the same color bricks as in my fireplace and I really dont like that color Im thinking I would like to try and make it look like the after picture. I would really like to replace the bricks with a natural stone material but its not in the budget at this time. Still cant decide if I should paint or not

 

[Stax]

No, no, no. Do not paint the brick. Simply wait until you have the funds to install a natural stone material like you wish.

 

[begreen]

I don't see a problem, certainly not as a safety issue. If that is the look you want and you expect to live in the house for a long while, go for it. but do remember that this will be a semi-permanent change.

http://www.olympicpainting.com/painting-ma/how-to-paint-bricks/

 

[Dix]

I opted to tile over the brick, instead of painting. Quite easy to swap it out if you want to.


Before

Pre insert. We took this tile off before the PE was installed

PE installed

Post PE ... still working on the heatalator vents, which still work.(best pic I have of it, at the moment)