26 replies to this topic

[Coastal Cohort]

--Posting removed because folks can't seem to answer my question without giving their opinion (which wasn't asked for) or tell me I'm wrong or that I'm an idiot.

I can't figure out how to remove this posting, so I'll just end it by removing the original question. --

[Bill Z]

My favorite house on N Lex painted their brick on their exterior around their garage and I think it looks great! In fact, when we next paint our house, I'm going to copy their paint scheme!
It got me to thinking, the brick around our fireplaces that (I think) we all have might look good painted. Has anyone done it? If so, would you be willing to share photos?

You know the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Everytime I see painted brick, my thought is "who's the idiot that painted perfectly good looking brick"

My fireplace is a typical modern home insert, I have some grey tile around and in front of it, then some built up molding for a mantle. I figure if I wanted to make it look nicer, I would have someone build a facade with "used" brick to make it look nicer.

As they say, "to each his own"

[Coastal Cohort]

You know the saying, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Everytime I see painted brick, my thought is "who's the idiot that painted perfectly good looking brick"

My fireplace is a typical modern home insert, I have some grey tile around and in front of it, then some built up molding for a mantle. I figure if I wanted to make it look nicer, I would have someone build a facade with "used" brick to make it look nicer.

As they say, "to each his own"

Oh, so you're calling me an idiot????

Like I said, I'm interested in hearing from folks who have painted their fireplace brick, not reasons why I need to copy your home's decor...

I know your style is to be a bit blunt Bill, but I'm not interested in hearing that I'm an idiot.

[Dave Burrell]

Painted brick actually does look nice, I've seen single color and multi color paint jobs that looked really good on external walls (and interior too)

and as for brick around a fire place.... red does not always work in every house.... I personally like a more finished look and painting and sealing the brick often looks a lot better then leaving it raw...

[camay2327]

I think that painted brick looks like crap....

[MrsTuffPaws]

I think that painted brick looks like crap....

So do I. While I realize some people like it, it's so unfathomable to me that anyone can find it attractive. It's kinda like when a pretty girl covers her face with metal and tattoos. While in my head I know that some people might like it, in my gut I go yuck!

[asbestoshills]

I hope that wasn't his house you are shredding....He is sharing the photo to show u what it looks like...Nothing wrong with that..

[Bill Z]

Oh, so you're calling me an idiot????

Like I said, I'm interested in hearing from folks who have painted their fireplace brick, not reasons why I need to copy your home's decor...

I know your style is to be a bit blunt Bill, but I'm not interested in hearing that I'm an idiot.

I guess the answer to that is yes & no.

Directly, No, I am not calling you an idiot. But indirectly, I suppose so, but still not really.
See, when I'm driving around and notice a painted brick house for instance, the owner/painter is an unknown faceless entity. So my honest thought is "who's the idiot that painted perfectly good looking brick", it's an opinion thought. It doesn't mean I really think people who do paint their brickwork are real idiots by the true definition of idiot. But I happen to like the look of natural brick, I know how expensive real brick work is, so I do think it stupid to cover it up with cheap paint. Why have brickwork if you don't like the appearance of brickwork?

[Andrea V]

I'm sorry, but I hate painted brick too....

I could tolerate it inside, but I'd make chris scrape it all off if it was outside on our house.

I remember as a kid when my mom and I were looking for a new house (to buy) and I'd say OHH THAT ONE, and she'd say, no brick honey, it is too expensive.

Brick that is NOT PAINTED looks pretty! And makes the house more valuable, well it used to, not sure if it still does (maybe steve the dad can confirm for me)

It makes me think of the people who get a house and lift the funky carpet, and see Beautiful hardwood under that they just cover up with carpet... to each his own I suppose.

Brick is beautiful, don't cover it.

[4thgenFolsomite]

keep in mind that if you want to remove the paint sometime in the future, it may damage the brick. brick is fire-hardened in a kiln and the exterior layer is a protective seal. the inner part of the brick is weaker/softer. this is more important on exterior brick where it is exposed to weather. when brick is sand-blasted, for instance, it removes part of that protective layer and the brick will begin to gradually erode.

[Andrea V]

keep in mind that if you want to remove the paint sometime in the future, it may damage the brick. brick is fire-hardened in a kiln and the exterior layer is a protective seal. the inner part of the brick is weaker/softer. this is more important on exterior brick where it is exposed to weather. when brick is sand-blasted, for instance, it removes part of that protective layer and the brick will begin to gradually erode.

that's good to know, now I'll never buy with painted brick.

[camay2327]

Good thing it's not all about you

I don't know who you are but from all your reports on here, you seem to think it is all about you.
Enough said. I am just giving my opinion which is what this board is all about.

[camay2327]

I guess the answer to that is yes & no.

Directly, No, I am not calling you an idiot. But indirectly, I suppose so, but still not really.
See, when I'm driving around and notice a painted brick house for instance, the owner/painter is an unknown faceless entity. So my honest thought is "who's the idiot that painted perfectly good looking brick", it's an opinion thought. It doesn't mean I really think people who do paint their brickwork are real idiots by the true definition of idiot. But I happen to like the look of natural brick, I know how expensive real brick work is, so I do think it stupid to cover it up with cheap paint. Why have brickwork if you don't like the appearance of brickwork?

Bill, that is exactly how I feel.

[Darthvader]

Painted brick actually does look nice, I've seen single color and multi color paint jobs that looked really good on external walls (and interior too)

and as for brick around a fire place.... red does not always work in every house.... I personally like a more finished look and painting and sealing the brick often looks a lot better then leaving it raw...

Painting brick is the HGTV cheap way of "updating" a look. I think it's better to leave it and change the wall color, trim, etc to make room, etc look good.