How to Cover a Brick Fireplace With a Stone Veneer

Measure the fireplace carefully. Trace an outline of the fireplace on a large piece of cardboard. Lay down the cardboard and begin placing veneers on the template. Push the stones together tightly with no gaps. Rearrange the stone veneer until you are pleased with the design. Mark any stone pieces that need to be cut.

Using a diamond-tipped saw, score the stone veneer where cuts need to be made. Hold the tip of a masonry chisel on the scoring. Hammer the end of the chisel with a masonry hammer to break the stone. Make all cuts and place them on your template.

Spread a half-inch of mortar on the wall at the base of the fireplace with a trowel. Spread the mortar into the spaces between bricks to create a smooth bed or mortar. Press the stone veneer into the mortar. Work upwards until you have placed all of the veneer pieces under and on the sides of the fireplace opening.

Cut three pieces of two-by-four to fit inside the top and side openings of the firebox. Nail the three pieces together to support the firebox. The top piece of lumber will support the stone veneer above until it sets in the mortar.

Continue spreading mortar and setting stone veneer until the fireplace brick is covered. Let the mortar dry overnight.