Do-It-Yourself Brick Paneling for a Fake Fireplace

Measure the surfaces of the fireplace you wish to cover with brick panels. Usually these surfaces are the sides and front. However, for added realism you can panel the firebox. The firebox is the recessed opening where the “fire” is located.

Cut each panel to fit using a table saw. If you don’t have a table saw, you can rent one at most building supply stores. Set the table saw to a 45-degree angle and trim the edges of each panel that will form a corner with another brick panel (this is called mitering).

Apply construction adhesive on the back of each panel. For best results, apply a bead of adhesive along the entire length of every edge. Make sure the adhesive comes right to the edge of the panel.

Press the panel firmly against the surface it will cover. You may need to shift the panel around a bit to position it correctly. Brick panels are manufactured with pre-drilled screw holes. Place a screw in each hole and tighten it with a screwdriver. You might want to buy an electric screwdriver since it will make this step a lot easier and faster.

Use a caulking gun to apply caulk of the same color as your brick panels. Caulk the screw holes and joints so they won’t be visible. Wipe away excess caulk before it dries. Finally, use sandpaper to smooth the caulk so the surface of the panel is even.