How to Design a Brick Fireplace

Your Dream Fireplace

• 1

  Decide how big your fireplace should be. The size and shape of the opening affects how much heat is radiated into the room and dictates the size of the other components. The BIA offers suggested opening widths according to overall room size. For example. a room that's 10 feet by 14 feet needs a fireplace only 24 to 32 inches wide. A room that's 20 feet by 30 feet can handle a fireplace 4 to 6 feet wide.

• 2

  Choose the location. The masonry absorbs heat from the fire and slowly radiates that heat back into the room after the fire goes out. According to the Masonry Advisory Council, a fireplace entirely inside the home warms rooms in all directions, while a fireplace on an exterior wall loses heat to the outside.

• 3

  Consider the foundation. Design and construction of the base will be determined by structural requirements, but keep in mind that the base must extend down to solid ground. That means it will require space in a basement or crawlspace below the fireplace.

• 4

  Select your materials. Building codes will dictate fire safety requirements, such as the type of mortar and thickness of firebrick lining in the combustion chamber. The fireplace surround, hearth and mantel are where you can get creative. Brick, stone, tile or wood can be used to create the look you want. The first 6 inches around the firebox opening and the hearth must be made of noncombustible material. Any combustible material that extends more than 1 1/2 inches (a wooden mantel, for example) must be at least 12 inches from the opening. Check local building codes for more restrictive requirements.

• 5

  Design the hearth. The hearth may be flush with the floor or raised. The Masonry Advisory Council recommends the hearth extend 8 to 12 inches on either side of the firebox opening and 16 to 20 inches into the room.

• 6

  Select the flue size. Flue diameter is determined by the size of the fireplace opening. The Masonry Advisory Council suggests a slightly oversized flue because you can adjust the damper to restrict air flow. Once built, though, you can't increase the flue size.

• 7

  Select accessories. Well-made glass doors over the front opening help cut heat loss up the chimney when the fireplace is not being used. An ash dump and log lighter offer convenience in starting a fire and clean up afterwards.