How can I lighten fireplace bricks (pic)?

Ada Saucedo
by Ada Saucedo

I'm not sure what they are. Tile possibly? I'm a new to DIY and I don't want to mess it up and ruin the area,especially the flooring. I also want to lighten the fireplace it self. The bricks on the fireplace are in fantastic condition and we use the fireplace every winter. Any suggestions, tips or advice would be greatly welcomed. Thank you.

  9 answers
  • Lifestyles Homes Lifestyles Homes on Oct 24, 2019

    First the hearth or floor: yes, they appear to be ceramic mosaics. They can be tiled-over with the proper prep work.


    I would make sure the new tile is not glazed, but rather a through-bodied porcelain tile. This makes the exposed edges look finished.


    I would find a “gauged” tile, then there will be no need for grout joints- yay.

    Grout is the source of 98% of tile problems. I would also make the hearth deeper, as long as I’m doing all this work.


    I would investigate mastic vs. thinset, if your new tiles are fairly large. If not, thinset with a poly acrylic additive is what you need.


    The blonde brick is in amazingly good condition around the firebox where black spot marks usually are abundant. I would try to clean it with a lot of clear soapy water and then put a masonry stain on it, in an opaque white. This is also called a concrete dye/stain and is at the DIY stores as well as full line paint stores, although it is not paint.

    It permeates the bricks & mortar and will not peel and is scrubbable.

    What shades of white or the level of opaqueness will vary on the brand/manufacturer and I suggest shopping around.


    Paint will sit on the surface of bricks and peel and scorch around the firebox. That’s a useless solution for people who really use their fireplace.


    • Ada Saucedo Ada Saucedo on Oct 25, 2019

      Looks like German Smear? It's very pretty. Thank you. I'll be sure to check that out.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Oct 24, 2019

    Try white washing or painting the bricks. I wouldn’t worry about the hearth tiles except to protect them from drips.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Oct 24, 2019

    White wash or German schmear would achieve the desired effect.

  • William William on Oct 24, 2019

    White wash or paint. Hearth, floor, are tile. You can also paint them or remove them. Can't tile over them because the fireplace insert sits right on them. You can remove and replace them.


    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20fireplace

  • Jeanette Jeanette on Oct 24, 2019

    I agree with Suellen.

  • DesertRose DesertRose on Oct 25, 2019

    I was going to suggest the white wash, it would look great and update it in a beautiful way!

  • Ada Saucedo Ada Saucedo on Oct 25, 2019

    I appreciate all suggestions and will definitely be researching.

    Thank you all.

  • Holly Lengner - Lost Mom Holly Lengner - Lost Mom on Jan 07, 2021

    Painting the fireplace is always a great option. White bricks with the black fireplace is a classic look.