How to Install a Stone Hearth

Place the hearth on the floor, next to the fireplace, and mark out the position of the hearth using a pencil. Remove the stone hearth.

Lay a ¾-inch bed of slab mortar according to the manufacturer's directions. Roughen the surface of the mortar with a trowel.

Place the stone slabs that make up the hearth on top of the mortar. Adjust the slabs until they are precisely level. Check for levelness using a carpenter's level. Grout the stone slabs with mortar according to the manufacturer's directions.

Place the legs in their position according to the manufacturer's directions. Mark the layout on the corner braces on the wall, and upright for fasteners with a pencil. Remove the legs, and drill pilot holes using a 1-inch drill bit and a drill.

Spread a thin bed of mortar underneath where the legs go. Place the legs in their position and attach them using the braces, fasteners, screws and a drill.

Apply a thin layer of mortar to the tops of the stone hearth legs.

Place the mantel in position with a helper, and verify it is level using a carpenter's level. Attach the corner braces into the wall using screws and a drill.

Position the mantel shelf in place with a helper, and mark the position for the bolts using a pencil. Remove the mantel shelf, and drill pilot holes on the marks you made. Fill the holes with mortar, and reposition the shelf. Attach and secure by installing the bolts using ratchet wrench.

Clean all joints in the stone hearth and surround with a pointing trowel. Place the trowel in the joints and surround and gently scrape away residue. Clean excess mortar from the stone faces with a damp rag.