Think I'd regret a Two Story Red Brick Fireplace?
iamskc
9 years ago
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Olychick
9 years agoiamskc
9 years agoRelated Discussions
Seek Input on White Wash / Painting of my Brick 2 Story Home
Comments (34)Hi Dmaull and ptaylor, Unfortuantely we never got around to whitewashing our house, but, I did an enormous amount research on the subject and discovered that you do NOT want to paint brick. Why? Because the paint doesn't allow the natural breathing to occur with brick. Brick is partially pourous and paint changes the game... Instead if you are going for that aged look then you want to use a product that simulates lime washing. Lime washing is the actual technique used in the 1700 and 1800s to protect buildings (including brick). Some still practice this today, but it is messy and potentially dangerous (your working with slaked limeor calcium hydroxide a natural chemical. The reason however you want this kind of finish is that it allows the brick to "breathe". Unfortunately the lime wash eventually wears off so you have to reapply ever few years. What I did find however was the ultimate solution I planned to use (until we deferred the project). It's a modern product that produces a finish identical to lime washing but is PERMANENT! It works at the molecular level and the minerals in the product permanently bind with the brick. What this means is that you do it one time and one time only! Additinoally the brick can literally be power washed later with NO ill effects on the white washed finish since it is permanent! Below are the notes I made to myself for later reference when I was ready to proceed. You'll want to contanc this firm and research the product yourself, but I am 100% confident that this is the BEST way to achieve a permanent, old world, white wash finish on your brick! Hope this helps! bradesp Jeff at Eco House 877-ECO-HOUSE Must apply in 46 degrees or warmer - needs four hours in 60 degree weather to fully dry-out Apply Primasil first as base "coat" Then apply one coat of Salizur. Will need to mix pigments to desired color and translucency. http://www.eco-house.com/silazur.htm Eco House can't ship if temperatures are going to freeze. Products can easily be sprayed. Will need to custom mix and keep mix "suspended" during spray....See MoreLarge Red Brick Fireplace and wood floor choices
Comments (16)jenny_from_the_block...actually we have discussed painting the fireplace but only as a "Plan B" if we go with the BC and there are issues with the fireplace. Neither of us want to paint the fireplace because you can never go back once it's done. We're getting 3 estimates and right now we are probably going to look at more wood samples. One step forward and two steps back. :-(...See More1968 two story, two-toned Colonial - exterior refresh??
Comments (15)You would get more out of the forum if you limit your post to one area at a time so as to keep the discussion from becoming confusing and to get the material covered. And, if you include good photos that show whole, complete scenes. I'd start with the camera where the first photo was taken, but when the light it better. Then aim the camera left, straight and right, taking slightly overlapping photos so we can see how the house fits into its surroundings. (Landscaping is more than what only exists directly in front of the house.) There is barely a sense of "entrance" in the first photo. As that is critical to having a nice front yard/landscape/presentation of the house, that's where I'd begin when better photos show up. It seems like there's a built-in brick planter(s) and they don't look good or workable. I'd get rid of them. I'd answer the question of painting brick in this way: is the brick itself (ignoring other factors) ugly? If the answer is "yes," then paint it. If the answer is "no," then coordinate all other things (paint/roof, etc) to coordinate with the brick in a pleasing way. (I think this especially relates to the entrance which now looks dark and uninviting.)...See MoreTwo Story Family Room Fireplace Wall Dilema
Comments (17)I very much like Beverly's 2nd photo of the mantle that extends perhaps 6 feet on either side of the FP opening, with shelving below on each side. It's dramatic and lovely. Back to landrstein's question about the 5.5' and 12'height dimensions that I suggested might be possibilities for the double mantles I was envisioning, those dimensions were for how far above the floor they would be, not how wide they would be. It would be good if you could get a designer to draw to scale what you want it to look like. It's important that you and the contractor are on the same page, and drawings will help you get there....See MoreUser
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