fireplace resurfacing (countertops, fireplaces, laminate, heat)

[deborahschaefer]

i just bought a house that hasnt been updated since 1976. anybody have any ideas what i should do to update and modernize an ugly brick fireplace....

[Racelady88]

You can paint the brick. Either solid white or you can lighten the color with streaks of white.

[square peg]

There are also after market mantels that you should be able to find at a building supply store. There are some great wood finishes available and they just slide over your present one. I'm guessing prices could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on your budget. Let us know what you decide to do. I'm thinking of re-doing mine also.

[Yorkie_Mom]

We have z-brick, just need ideas there also, Our mantel is wood, I tried to strip it but noticed it was duck tailed in on one corner, just was wondering if anyone had any ideas????
My stepson was going to put the stuff you use on your counter top down on it, can't seem to remember what it is called, but he said that would look nice, as far as the z-brick I don't know if anything can be done. Any suggestions???

[virangos]

Hi Yorkie_Mom, Congrats on the moderator status, and on smoking.
I wouldn't suggest using Plastic laminate {(Formica) the stuff on countertops}
Heat tends to loosen the glue that holds it down. Not that a mantel gets hot enough but why take a chance.IMHO. (Plus I'm biased and like the look of real wood, the true reason)
Did you try a heat gun for stripping your mantel? Some of the commercial liquid strippers work very well, or if you or your stepson are handy, you can take it down and take it to a professional stripper. I've taken doors and shutters in. They dip them in big vats and the piece comes out very nice and clean.

As far as the z-brick like Evey said you can paint, or if the color is ok you can just paint the grout joints a different color. Tedious but the results look like a new fireplace.

[Racelady88]

You can also tile right over top of it. Travertine is the current rage for fireplaces.

It seems to me that I remember watching my dad put up Z-Brick, and I am pretty sure that it can be taken down.

[Padanky]

I've been seeing a lot of fireplaces being painted white on HGTV, I want to do mine. My Dad said it would probably get dirty really quick, I live in Texas so it won't get used a whole lot. Do you think it will get Dirty when in use or should it stay pretty clean? It's a wood burning fireplace.

[square peg]

Well, if the fire has a proper draft then the outside surfaces should stay as clean as the rest of your room. If you're painting the mantel, buy more paint than you need in case you need to touch it up. I would think a quart should give you two good coats. / Good Luck!

[Padanky]

Thanks. I guess I should use some Kilz or other primer? Any special kind of paint?

[tao]

If you're covering a over red brick you'll probably want to start with Kilz or a primer. I would recommend cream rather than stark white for the paint color - cream is a little warmer. After painting you might consider lightly or liberally rubbing a glaze (perhaps honey colored) over it if you want a more natural stone look.