DIY Network

Fireplace Facelift Dean and Derek transform a fireplace with natural stone and a bluestone hearth. Check out more of Dean and Derek's Rock Solid home improvement projects.

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Design and Materials

Dean and Derek give a stone facelift to a dated brick living room fireplace. Using Seabed natural thin stone — a light colored stone with fossils — they get rid of ugly bricks without having to remove them. The Seabed thin veneer stone will fit directly over the existing brick saving you time and effort.

Demolition

Your first step is to clear and prep your work area, use large sheets of plastic or drop cloths to protect your floor and to keep your furniture from being covered in dust. Next, you need to remove the mantle and the firebox insert.

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Figure A

Centering the Fireplace (situational)

Dean and Derek are working on a fireplace that lacks symmetry. They decided to fix this design issue by centering the fireplace. If you have a fireplace that needs to be centered, follow these basic steps:

• Measure from the firebox to the shorter edge of the existing hearth.
  
• Make an equal measurement on the opposite side and mark a plumb line with your pencil. All of the brick beyond your pencil line gets demoed (figure A).
  
• To create a straight outside edge for your veneer stone, score a line along the pencil mark with your chisel.
  
• Use your chisel and stone hammer to pry the bricks loose.
  
• Remember to apply this same process to the hearth.

When Dean and Derek removed the bricks and mortar of the hearth, they noticed that the bricks below were standing on their sides. If you have a similar issue remember, note that you won't want your hearthstone to be higher than your firebox. You'll want to lay your bricks flat to make a strong base for your hearthstone.

Figure B

Drywall

If there is damage to the wall during demo, fix by installing new drywall. Measure and then cut pieces of drywall to size using a utility knife. Use screws to secure the new drywall in place (figure B).

Mixing Mortar

Safety first! Put on your mask before working with premix.

Dean and Derek used Quikrete's Type-S premix. With premix you can mix the product in your wheelbarrow; just add water. Mix using a perforated hoe, moving in a back and forth motion, until you achieve an oatmeal-like consistency.

Hearthstone Support

Once your mix is ready, you can start laying support for the hearthstone. Measure the height, length and width of your hearthstone. For this project Dean and Derek measured 17 inches from the firebox and with another inch or so for the veneer so they have an 18-inch base for their 20-inch bluestone to sit on. Lay down some mortar and tap your bricks in place. Check frequently to make sure your bricks are level as you move along.

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