Do-it-Yourself Stone for Fireplace

Not all fireplaces are surrounded in elegant brick. Even ones that are may meet your satisfaction. Change your fireplace’s look and feel of the whole room by creating a fireplace facade. Create a new fireplace facade that looks and feels exactly like real brick or stone for a fraction of the cost using stone veneer. The process is an easy way to remodel your fireplace without the headaches of full-scale remodeling.

Builder’s felt
Staple gun
Metal lath
Hammer and nails
Veneer mortar
Trowel
Stone or brick veneer
Grout bag
Brush

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the fireplace of any debris. Cover the existing fireplace surround with builder’s felt using a staple gun. Start at the bottom, working your way up. Overlap each previous piece by at least 2 inches.
- 2
  Secure metal lath over the builder’s felt using a hammer and nails.
- 3
  Cover the metal lath with veneer mortar roughly one-half inch thick. Horizontally comb the mortar with a notched trowel. Let the mortar dry overnight.
- 4
  Layout the stone veneer pieces before adhering them to the fireplace surround to determine the desired pattern.
- 5
  Cut the corner pieces if necessary.
- 6
  Wet the back of each stone veneer piece before applying mortar. Cover the back with one-half inch of mortar. Furrow the mortar with the trowel tip.
- 7
  Press the stone veneer into place, wiggling it so that it seals on to the scratch coat. Start with pieces directly above and surrounding the fireplace opening and then the outside edges. Once the outer edges are established, fill the pieces within.
- 8
  Clean the joints and let the mortar dry overnight.
- 9
  Apply mortar in between the pieces with a grout bag. Let it set for an hour. Shaping the joints and brushing them ensures a pleasing look. Allow another 24 hours for the fireplace facade to completely dry.

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