Surround Fireplace Installation

Stone Veneer

• Stone veneer gives you the look of natural stone without the expense of a solid stone surround. A felt underlayment and metal mesh applied above and on each side of the fireplace provides a backing for the stones. You apply about 1/2 inch of a mortar with a thinner consistency than typical mason's mortar on the mesh. The mortar holds the stones in place as you lay them on. After letting the grout cure overnight, you grout the joints with mortar and allow two days for curing before using the fireplace.

Wood

• One of thee easiest ways to install a wood mantel surround is to purchase a kit with precut pieces from a manufacturer. After assembling the surround on the floor, the unit is set into position over the fireplace. The surround must be centered properly. Marking the top and side edges of the surround gives you the location for the mounting boards, which are 1-by-2 pieces of wood that might not come with the kit. The set up is finished when the mounting boards are nailed into position and the surround is nailed into the mounting boards.

Art Tiles

• Art tiles make an attractive fireplace surround for the do-it-yourself homeowner with an ability to focus on detail. The tiles lie on a thinset mortar set over the fireplace. A board, such as a 1-by-3, put directly above the fireplace opening holds up the first course of tiles as you work upward until all the tiles are in place. The sides of the surround are tiled after the top is completed. After grouting, you wait two or three days for the grout to cure, which completes the installation.

Decorative Concrete

• Decorative concrete surrounds give a homeowner a variety of colors, textures and styles to choose from. The surround may either be precast or cast on site. The concrete can mimic the look of rustic stone or the elegant appearance of marble. The proper installation of decorative concrete surround can be quite intricate. For instance, an installer might hand-carve certain features into the surround after the concrete has set. It's probably best to leave this installation to the professionals because of the complex nature of working with decorative concrete.