How to Rock a Fireplace

Unroll builder's felt and cover the fireplace with it.

Hold the felt in place and trim it to size using a utility knife.

Staple the felt down so that it completely covers the fireplace facade, inserting 1/2-inch staples from a staple gun every 2 to 4 inches around the perimeter of the felt.

Place metal lath over the felt with the metal cups in the lath facing up.

With metal snips, trim the lath to fit over the fireplace facade.

Hammer roofing nails through the lath into the facade every 4 to 6 inches around the edges.

Lay out the rock pattern on the floor so that you can decide on the most aesthetically pleasing layout. This allows you to place the rocks fairly quickly once you've started the actual installation so that the mortar doesn't get too dry before you're finished.

Spread an even coat of mortar over the metal lath with a notched trowel.

Apply an even coat of mortar on the back side of each rock veneer piece as you place it firmly against the fireplace facade. Start at the corners, top and bottom, and then work your way across the fireplace to fill in the center and sides in rows. Stagger the joints. Allow the mortar to dry for 48 hours.

Fill a grout bag with fresh mortar. Squeeze mortar between all of the rock joints.

Smooth out the mortar joints by dragging a striking tool over them. Wipe any excess off the rocks with a damp rag.