How’s fireplace surround painting done?
This is one of the first questions that may likely be asked by homeowners. For some persons, the question of painting wouldn’t even arise as they know just what to do.
For instance, here is a guide on painting chimney exterior.
However, this article targets those seeking to learn about fireplace surround painting and how to go about it.
Best Paint For Wood And Metal Gas Fireplace Surround
The ambiance a fireplace gives to your room is largely enhanced by its surround.
This is the part or area around the opening of the fireplace. It’s the decorative fascia that fits the wall and comes in different materials, sizes, and styles.
To enhance its look or appeal, you might want to have it painted.
The Importance of the Fireplace Surround
The first step towards caring for your fireplace involves understanding what this component (fireplace surround) does. In other words, you’ll need to know about its importance and how such is enhanced by having it painted.
First off, the fireplace surround is designed to be stylish. This is meant to attract and draw attention to your fireplace. It should be such that it makes the fireplace a focal point for your room.
Another key aspect of the fireplace surround is that it helps to keep smoke from getting or escaping into your room.
The fireplace surround serves as a barrier between the room and the fireplace. This ensures that combustion, as well as heat, are contained within the firebox.
Not only does the surround help with increasing your fireplace’s appeal, but it also allows for easy placement of the mantel where decorations are kept.
-
Its Absence is Likely to Make Your Fireplace Look Dull
Fireplace surrounds can be skipped or excluded in some cases. This is especially true for locations where local codes and building regulations do not make their inclusion mandatory.
In the absence of the surround, your fireplace is likely going to look bare.
Painting the Fireplace Surround: How it’s done
Do you wish to have your fireplace surround painted? If you do, this article will be of great help.
Here, you’ll learn all about getting the job done yourself. DIY’ers will find this article highly informative.
So, are you ready? Let’s jump right into business!
-
Prepping for the Painting Job
Most times, old or worn-out fireplace surrounds are targeted for painting. Such a situation requires adequate preparation for painting to commence.
Speaking of preparation, you’ll need to ensure that the fireplace isn’t in use. In other words, it should be turned off and the targeted surface is cleaned.
Get a damp cloth and wipe down the surfaces of your surround to ensure a smooth paint finish. Having wiped the surface, allow it to dry before proceeding to the next phase which is to have it lightly sanded.
Lightly sanding the fireplace surround is necessary to correct untreated, damaged, or chipped wood.
This action (sanding) helps even out the surfaces, thus reducing imperfections. For surrounds with preexisting paint, such may have to be painted over or the old paint is stripped with a paint stripper.
In other cases, a heat gun may be necessary to remove old paint.
-
Priming the Fireplace Surround
A good painting job will require the surround’s surface primed before paint is applied. This helps prevent a situation where excess paint is used than necessary due to soaking up by exposed wood.
Also, priming serves to bring out the real color you seek as it prevents the interruption by pre-colored wood.
What priming does is that it helps seal or fills in wood grain, thus creating a smooth coat for the paint to be applied on. Quite a lot of effort goes into priming because it sets the tone for an excellent painting job.
The type of primer you use for this job matters. Certain brands are combinations of both paint and primer. In addition to these are others that are primer-only products.
Of course, you might want to research some more about primer types before settling for one.
-
Painting Proper
Having primed your fireplace surround, what remains is to have it painted. While it’s common to think that the painting job is straightforward, the reality is quite different.
Several considerations will need to be taken to ensure a perfect job is performed.
First, you’ll need to decide whether to use a wood-specific paint product or not.
There are paint brands designed for certain wood types. Matching your fireplace surround wood type with the corresponding paint is likely to give you excellent results or finish.
Your preferences will come into play when the need comes to choose a paint finish. Here, several things are involved. There are different finishes to choose from.
You get to pick from a semi or full gloss, as well as an egg or satin finish. It all depends on what you want.
Heat Resistant Paint For Fireplace Surround
Heat-resistant paints are best used for painting fireplace surrounds.
This is understandable due to its proximity to the firebox. You want a paint type that will withstand the heat coming from the fireplace without igniting the wood.
- What color to paint fireplace surround
The downside to picking or using heat-resistant paints is that they come in limited varieties. In other words, the colors aren’t as many as non-heat-resistant paints.
Nevertheless, they mostly serve the purpose of most homeowners.
Does this seem like too much Work?
If the guidelines provided above seem overwhelming to you, then you may not be cut out for DIY painting jobs.
Here, you only need to seek professional help. A professional painter or chimney technician will carry out an excellent job.
It’s best to patronize the services of chimney professionals as they know exactly what to use. This takes away the headache of having to figure out the entire process and perform an excellent job.
Extra Effort is Need for Persons with Kids
Kids are very curious and may likely make your painting job quite stressful.
This is why it’s best to paint your fireplace surround when they’re fast asleep. You can also keep kids away from the room with the fireplace until the job is completed and the paint is dried enough.
Painting fireplace surround has been the focus of discussion. We’ve shown you the steps to follow when painting and things to consider.
Sticking to these will enable you to perform an excellent job.
