How To Lay Brick In Front Of Fireplace

How to Lay Brick in Front of Your Fireplace

A brick fireplace surround is a beautiful and classic way to add warmth and character to your home. It can also be a great way to update an outdated fireplace or create a custom look. If you're thinking about laying brick in front of your fireplace, here are a few things you need to know.

Materials You'll Need

To lay brick in front of your fireplace, you will need the following materials:

Bricks
Mortar
Brick trowel
Level
String
Hammer
Chisel

Steps

Once you have gathered all of your materials, you can begin laying the brick. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the area.

The first step is to prepare the area where you will be laying the brick. This includes removing any existing materials, such as tile or carpet. You will also need to level the surface.

2. Lay out the bricks.

Once the area is prepared, you can begin laying out the bricks. Start by laying out a row of bricks around the perimeter of the fireplace. Use a level to make sure that the bricks are level.

3. Build the walls.

Once you have laid out the first row of bricks, you can begin building the walls. Work your way up the walls, one row at a time. Make sure to use mortar to bond the bricks together.

4. Trim the bricks.

Once the walls are built, you will need to trim the bricks around the edges of the fireplace. This can be done with a hammer and chisel.

5. Grout the bricks.

The final step is to grout the bricks. This will help to seal the joints between the bricks and give them a finished look.

Tips

Here are a few tips for laying brick in front of your fireplace:

Use a brick trowel to apply the mortar. This will help to ensure that the mortar is applied evenly.
Use a level to make sure that the bricks are level. This will help to prevent the walls from sagging.
Work slowly and carefully. Laying brick is a time-consuming process, but it's important to take your time to do it right.
If you make a mistake, don't worry. You can always remove the bricks and start over.

Conclusion

Laying brick in front of your fireplace is a great way to add warmth and character to your home. It can be a challenging project, but it's definitely worth it.