How to Add a Wooden Facade to a Fireplace

Draw your fireplace design with paper and pencil first. Even if you have little to no art skill, it's good to have a visual representation of your design. Use pictures of fireplaces to inspire you, if you don't have a specific design in mind.

Measure the fireplace with a tape measure. You'll want to record the width of the entire fireplace--including the masonry surround, if any. Measure from the firebox outward, and remember to include a measurement for the mantle.

Mark the outline of the wooden surround with chalk lines. The lines will ensure that the wood is perfectly straight when it is attached to the fireplace.

Place two 1-by-6-inch pieces of wood on the long, vertical lines on either side of the fireplace. Nail or drill these boards to the wall using wood nails or screws. Do not place nails or screws into fireplace masonry; measure the surround to extend beyond this to anchor them to studs in the surround to the wall.

Nail or screw two 1-by-4-inch pieces of wood to each of the vertical supports. Each 1-by-4 will be perpendicular to the supports. Place screws or nails along the edge of the 1-by-4 to secure it to the support, creating a long, wooden U that borders each side of the fireplace.

Cover each vertical support with two 1-by-6-inch pieces of wood, nailing or screwing the wood along the edges to attach it to the U to create a long, closed rectangle.

Measure the space between the two vertical posts and cut two 2-by-4s to match.

Attach the 2-by-4s horizontally to the wall between the two support posts, above the fire place. One 2-by-4 should be level with the top of the posts, while the second should be just above the firebox or the area of the fireplace you want to cover.

Cut 1/4 plywood to the same widths as the 2-by-4s, making it long enough to reach the top of the top 2-by-4 and the bottom of the bottom 2-by-4.

Secure the plywood to the 2-by-4s using wood nails or screws.

Attach crown molding along the top of the surround with nails or screws to create a finished look. You may also install crown molding at the bottom of each support post if you wish.

Stain or paint the fireplace surround as desired.