How to Build a DIY Brick Fireplace for Beginners
It’s Time!! With SO much excitement, I’m thrilled to present my DIY Brick Fireplace project with all of you. This blog post is sponsored by The Home Depot.
I feel so blessed to have been able to participate in their Orange Tank Competition for 2022. Please watch the YouTube Video below for a visual instruction of the steps taken to create this masterpiece.
My Living Room space desperately needed a ‘taste of Kayla’ by creating a DIY Brick Fireplace. It’s a popular trend to utilize shiplap for a fireplace build, but I’m a sucker for Brick. I feel that brick is starting to trend back. We’ll see if this post can persuade you that a DIY Brick Fireplace is THE best Fireplace for you.
Supplies Needed:
All products utilized for this project (minus the Fireplace Insert) can be found at The Home Depot.
- Old Chicago Blanc Thin Brick
- Grout Trowel
- Grout Float
- Thinset Mortar
- Sanded Grout – White
- Brick Jointer – 3/8″
- Fireplace Insert
- Christmas Garland
- Mini Christmas Trees (Home Depot) similar trees found HERE.
- Stockings
Or Click a picture below to purchase the item directly.
Let’s Get to Building!
Feel free to watch the video walkthrough or continue reading below for details on each process:
Step 1: DIY Brick Fireplace Framing
For the framing I used 2×4’s to create a frame for the fireplace insert. I used 2 common boards to attach to the back of the wall onto the studs. Afterwards, I then attached the 2×4 framing to those common boards and the base of my floor for extra security.
To attach the 2×4’s together I made pocket holes with my Kreg 720 Pro. If you don’t have one of those, you can most definitely just utilize some construction screws to build the framing.
I also chose to remove the carpet in the section that I was building the fireplace. The carpet was easily removed with an xacto knife, though time consuming, it worked and got the job done.
I also carefully removed the carpet tack strip with a flat head screwdriver. I was able to reuse the tack strip at the edge of where my fireplace was going to go.
More details on the framing process can be located on my Instagram page @ourfamilymaison. Check out my highlight bubble titled ‘Brick Fireplace’.
Step 2: Installing Concrete Board
After the framing was installed I chose to install concrete board. After doing some research on concrete board vs. drywall, I chose to move forward with concrete board. For Brick installation, concrete board is overall better for mortar application. If I did drywall then I would’ve had to prime the drywall first. So I just eliminated 1 step by utilizing concrete board instead.
To attach the concrete board I used some Rocker On Backer On 1 3/4″ screws. These are specifically made for Concrete Board. They need to be screwed 8 inches apart from each other directly in the middle of the stud.
Concrete board was super easy to cut by scoring it with an xacto knife and bending it to break it. But learn from me and do it OUTSIDE or in your garage. I made the mistake of cutting one piece inside my house on my carpet… I don’t know what I was thinking, but it was a mess to clean up lol.
Step 3: Brick Installation
Once the concrete board was installed it was time for brick! I used the Old Chicago Blanco Brick from The Home Depot, and I loved this brick! However, Brick was MESSY! Make sure you protect your floor with a drop cloth. Even better, if you have carpet I highly recommend buying some Carpet Shield. It sticks to the floor and protects your carpet flooring WAY better.
Using a laser level for the first layer helped tremendously, and then I just used 3/8″ wooden dowels to apply the brick to the cement board. Make sure you remove the dowels after about 10 min so they don’t stick to the mortar. Step 4 will go over this more in detail.
Read more about my Brick Installation HERE.
Step 4: Mortar
I used Versabond Thinset Mortar in the White color for the mortar. This can be used with thinset brick and used a mixing drill bit to mix it. Just follow the mixing instructions on the Mortar package.
Applying the mortar, I used the flat side of a trowel first to apply the mortar to the concrete board. Once I applied the mortar with the flat side I went and applied more mortar with the grooved side next. I also applied some mortar to the back of my brick because I found it helped the application better, a process called back-buttering. After applying the brick pieces I used a grout float to push the brick into the mortar.
Something I learned is that I should install the corner brick pieces first. Likewise, it’s better to start from the bottom row and work my way up. The Home Depot sold the specific corner brick pieces which were absolutely AMAZING for the fireplace. I used 3/8″ dowels as spacers for my brick. I bought 5 dowels and just broke them in half and kept reusing the dowels. If you’re doing brick on a larger wall or bigger space, then I think 10-15 dowels broken in half would be enough for your project.
I also used my laser level when installing the first bottom layer to ensure that the layer was completely level. This helped me make sure that all my rows would be level with each other.
Step 5: Grouting
Once all the brick was installed, I actually waited a week before grouting, but grouting was so fun and easy. I used Polyblend Bright White sanded grout and it was an absolute perfect match for the brick I chose! I used a grout piping bag to fill and grout easily. For grout I actually started at the top because I didn’t want to ruin any work I would’ve done on the bottom if grout slipped and fell. (Which it did MULTIPLE times.) Again, this is a VERY messy process, so make sure you’re also wearing clothing you can get messy in.
I started at the top and did a couple of lines for about 5ish minutes. After 5ish minutes I stopped so that I could then go back over the lines with a brick jointer. The Brick jointer was a 3/8″ size (to match the dowel spacers I used.) It helped push the grout into the brick joints. After I used the jointer, I then used my hand to blend the edges of the grout into the brick. I made sure to use a glove so as to not dry out my skin. This helped make it look more uniform and complete.
Step 6: Mantle
I built the mantle with Birch Project Plywood. To be honest this section of the project was a bit nerve racking for me. I knew I wanted to make the mantle open up so that we could gain access to inside the fireplace. I ended up building a 3 sided box with mitered edges first. I then attached the back and top pieces later. The back piece and top I attached cabinet hinges so that I could create an easy access to the inside of the fireplace.
When the top is closed, it looks flush with the 3 sided box. This brings out the mantle look.
I used wood conditioner all over the mantle to ensure that the stain would apply to the wood evenly. Once applied, I then used American Walnut Stain with a top coat of Antique White Stain. Once finished, I used a Satin Polyurethane finish to make it look complete.
Step 7: DIY Fireplace Accent pieces
I added black shiplap on the wall to create a contrast between the white brick and brown mantle. If I were to have done this project again, I would’ve installed the shiplap BEFORE I installed the brick. I can’t really explain why, but trust me, it will look better lol.
I also decided to wrap baseboard around the DIY Brick fireplace to give the fireplace a ‘built-in’ look. Kind of like how I did it with my IKEA built in Bookshelf project. The wall and baseboard were Behr’s Dark Secret (my favorite black). The baseboard was in a Satin finish and the wall was a matte finish.
I also decided to add a corner trim to the sides of the shiplap. I left it white to transition better to the other white walls in the room.
Step 8: Return Vent
One problem I had to figure out was how to deal with my return vent. Where I wanted the fireplace there was a return vent in the way. I had 3 HVAC companies come and look at it. They informed me, that luckily, because it was an air RETURN, I did not need any air duct work. All I needed to do was to build a wood box (that I made out of scrap plywood) and create the box from the wall out to the end of the framing that I created for the fireplace.
I spray painted some metal sheeting and used that as my ‘vent cover’ in the baseboard space. I feel it added an elegant look to the space and helped it blend in better.
DIY Brick Fireplace Success
Overall, this DIY Brick Fireplace project was an absolute BLAST to create. It took 3 long weeks, but I did it! I also REALLY appreciate the help of my husband for helping me with the project. He was a great help for me and our kids while I tackled this project. Special thanks to The Home Depot for sponsoring this project. I loved partnering with them on this Orange Tank Project for 2022.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions about this project. I’d be glad to clarify and answer any questions you may have.
