How to Build a Faux Stone Hearth

Mark off the location of your hearth on the floor with masking or painter's tape. Remove existing flooring within this space. Cut and take our carpet or padding, or cut and remove wood or laminate flooring and padding. Expose the subfloor or concrete slab.

Cut cement board to the shape of your hearth. Screw the cement board directly to your subfloor or slab. Consult the specifications for your stove to determine how thick the cement board must be.

Lay out your faux stone in the pattern of your choice. Cut pieces with a tile saw as necessary to make them fit.

Mix the mortar according to package directions. Apply a 3/4-inch-thick layer of mortar onto the cement board with a trowel. Lay the faux stone on the mortar. Press each stone firmly into the mortar mixture. You can butt the pieces together if you plan to install them without grout, or use spacers to lay the pieces a uniform length apart.

Allow the mortar to cure overnight. Mix grout with water, or use ready-mix grout. Spread a thick layer of grout over the stone with a trowel. Work the grout into the joints between the faux stone.

Remove excess grout from the top of the faux stone with a damp sponge. Continue to sponge until all the grout is gone.

Apply molding around the edge of the hearth. Cut the molding to length. Miter the corners if necessary. Attach the molding with finishing nails.