Did they use paint formulated for brick?

I like the natural brick better. In the long run, it might be a better option.

Yes they used outdoor formulated

houssaon is correct. If the paint was not masonry paint you could have additional problems in the future, especially if you live in a damp climate that has freezing winters.

I think it looks nice painted. You could have smoke stains on natural brick, as well. With painted it may be easier to clean and the paint can be touched up to cover stains.

Could they just clad over it with slate or another appealing material? Do-overs risk introducing new problems.

You could have them simply sand off some of the paint for a more vintage appearance.

The paint could be stripped off with something like Peel Away stripper in relatively short order. I have seen entire facades done.

I would want it rebuilt if the paint can’t be removed. It’s a big mistake you shouldn’t have to live with.

It’s a very distinct look … I like the natural brick colors so much better. That said, if it fits your style/aesthetic, you might want to take the credit instead.

Good luck, I hope whatever you decide works out for you. Congratulations on your new house. :)

If you're removing paint, sooner is better.

I don't think it looks like s--t painted, that was incredibly rude. I think it actually looks better than the original bricks. But it's too white overall and could use some color contrast.

Thanks everyone for the input. This is actually primer and the color will be a bit creamier. And yes we have a reclaimed wood mantle regardless of what we decide!

The paint makes it look cheap somehow, but maybe it will be better once the cream is applied? I like the natural brick better with your ceiling, and think it would look great with reclaimed mantel. I also like the idea of cladding in slate...

Only you can decide if it's worth re-doing or taking the credit tho....

You are right...white is not the right color for wood burning, but how about trying black paint?

Is it wired for a t v? That would make black brick more important to me than red brick.

I don't know anything about what type of paint should be used, but from an aesthetics standpoint, I think it will look nice, especially with a creamier white. Your ceiling adds some warmth, and you could have rattan/wicker/wood outdoor furniture to complement it. What are your floors? Most of the fireplaces in these pics have a contrasting color or natural brick inside the firebox. What is yours like? And personally, I think some soot shows soul, that the fireplace is actually used and not a showpiece. Cheers to patina! :)

Ok, now that you made it clear it's primer. Take a breath, of course paint jobs are not going to look good in this phase!

Since the painters have another coat to do, go ahead and proceed with the off-white for the walls, and ask them to paint the fireplace a different color.

And absolutely, you should get a credit for it since they made a mistake that is very hard to undo!

In my opinion, brick should never be painted. It takes a classic material with inherit character and beauty, and turns it into a drab.

It is a shame they painted it. As it would've looked great with an all white house.

I would ask them to limewash/slurry- it will give it a more natural stone look as opposed to just flat paint.

The wood ceiling looks nice with a white fireplace. And I agree soot gives it a more rustic feel.

I agree with Mark, brick should never be painted. It loses its beauty.

I would paint the interior of the fireplace black( where the logs go)and place a black mantel, nothing fancy -clean lines…it will look fresh and modern

That is why we are all here to have our opinions and I just try to be honest and sometimes honesty is a bit rude . I never think exterior painted brick is a good idea and whan not planned it sucks a redo is IMO the only way to fix this.

If you think you need to be a "bit rude", over what you yourself just agreed was an opinion, then I feel the need to say that opinions are like butts. We all have one and sometimes they stink.

There is no need to be so rude to someone who posted a very politely worded query here. IMO! (LOL!!!!!)

Good grief.

I was never a fan of painted brick fireplaces until we painted ours (an inside one). I can't believe how it changed the room for the better! The brick that you chose for your fireplace does not wow me. <--- see how I can be honest but not RUDE certain poster ??

I would keep as it, take the credit and put it towards making that awesome looking space even more awesome. Please post more pictures!

There are many honest opinions here, none of them rude but one. Rude isn’t necessarily honest, it’s simply rude. Everyone else manages to not be insulting. Try harder.

IMO, lol. Good grief is right, Ally.

In an attempt to find that silver lining, perhaps the attempt to remove the paint from only the fireplace brick will create a look that does not bring it back to its original state but gives it a reclaimed look that many people strive for. Create a sample wall and give it a try.

I just noticed that the walls next to the fireplace are also painted brick. While not at all what you wanted, I think that having all the brick painted as opposed to half of it might be a good thing.

The issue is not really an aesthetic one. The issue is whether or not they used brick stain. If they used a standard exterior paint, you may end up with moisture problems and spalting. If they used a brick stain, then you can decide based on aesthetics. Otherwise, take the replacement.

It was soo nice looking! Painted brick often looks gunky and sorry but this does. Absolutely the first time you use it you will have soot. What a statement piece now ruined.

At this point I really wish I could delete my post because half of these comments are completely unnecessary and unhelpful. I simply wanted to know people’s opinions of -1. do you prefer the painted look which currently is JUST primer - or 2. Unpainted brick - which we love our brick if you do not you could simply say - you like the painted. Or better yet - ya don’t have to comment at all! It’s clearly easier to type a mean opinion or unnecessary and unhelpful comment than just keep scrolling. The internet is wild LOL have a blessed day everyone.

Unfortunately, that's common on Houzz. Many are bad at reading the details, or missed when the original poster updated with more info (sometimes I'm guilty of that). People also love to give unsolicited advice for things that you didn't ask. It happens on houzz constantly, and I've learned to ignore it. There is some good advice in here too!

Me, when I get a notification that Patricia posted:

Jinx, lol lol lol. IMO!

I like it painted. That particular brown color of brick is not pretty. I love painted brick on fireplaces

Actually a fireplace that draws properly should not get soot on the outside of it even with regular use.

Actually a fireplace that draws properly should not get soot on the outside of it even with regular use.

True. For an indoor fireplace.

But this is an outdoor fireplace. You have no control over the wind.

This is a redo.

I prefer the non-painted look.

@HU-188222400

I do have a question. It is something I have noted before and it completely baffles me. If this is a new build and you wanted white, why didn't you use white brick instead of having colored brick painted?

You’ll get some smoke marks, but it takes a long time. We are 8 years into painting our living room fireplace white, and it’s fine. We have frequent fires from Late September through April. I would get a really pretty decorative screen.

We are 8 years into painting our living room fireplace white,

But the wind doesn't blow in your living room.

Outdoors, there are a lot more variables. The wind does swoop & swirl, change direction, change intensity. It is affected by trees, walls, fences, roofs... Other things like temperature & even no wind plus foggy conditions will affect how a chimney will perform.

And then there is the white hearth to collect dirt, dust, sawdust, ashes, firewood detritus.

All reasons why I would want an earth tone fireplace...natural brick, stone.

I like the painted brick ..maybe a darker colour to contrast the white ?

UNpainted brick. I might be persuaded to like some whitewashed brick, but not opaque paint.

Chimneys create draw. 🙄. Doubt the wind will be swooping and swirling with such a low roof. It’s not a fire pit.

@Jennifer Hogan

"I prefer the non-painted look.

@HU-188222400

I do have a question. It is something I have noted before and it completely baffles me. If this is a new build and you wanted white, why didn't you use white brick instead of having colored brick painted?"

Jennifer, did you even read this thread? If you did, you'd see that the painting of the brick was an error made by the painter. Op is now trying to decide what to do about it; leave it or make them build her a new natural brick fireplace.

i would have them rebuild it. You are paying too much money** to accept anything less than what you originally planned and dreamed of. Their mistake doesn’t mean you should have to compromise or figure out how to make it work.

**I’m NOT commenting or judging or implying anything when I say you are spending a lot of money…any project like this is a lot of money. The point is you are paying to have it done right.

Rebuild.

@olychick - "did you even read this thread?" I most certainly did. And I paid attention to the photographs. This is a build, "the builder is willing to rebuild", and " painter painted the fireplace by mistake". If you look at the photo that was posted you see the op used some type of paint program to depict the area that should have been painted.

If you look at the other side of the picture you can see that the painter painted the brick on the fireplace, but you can also see the brick pattern on the surfaces that he painted that were not a mistake. I enlarged it for you.

This home was built with Alaskan White Vellore brick

So my question still stands unanswered and it is an appropriate question being that the OP built with and orange/brown brick and painted it white instead of building with a white brick.

@Jennifer Hogan thanks for taking time to clarify. Since the thread is about the fireplace that was painted in error, it wasn't easy to understand you were talking about something else. My apologies.

Hi Jennifer. My wife and I are going to be building on Polawana Island in the future. I saw your post regarding your home build and that you could provide the name of a good architect. We are "shopping" for architects and I'd be interested in knowing who you used. Thank you!

I think you should stick to your vision with the brick, it’s lovely and looks more outdoor fitting. Why doubt and change when builder is offering to correct it.