Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build a fireplace for, like, forever. Seriously, I’ve had this Pinterest board full of fireplace designs since before Pinterest was even cool. The other day, I finally decided, “Screw it, I’m doing this!” I picked “bricks for fireplaces” because, well, bricks just look so classic and cozy, you know?
First things first, I had to figure out what kind of bricks I even needed. Turns out, there’s a whole world of bricks out there. Not just the regular red ones you see everywhere.
Research and Prep (aka The Boring Part)
- I spent a good few hours just Googling “best bricks for fireplaces”.
- Learned about “firebricks” – super important, these are the ones that actually line the inside of the firebox because they can handle crazy high temperatures.
- Found out regular bricks can crack and explode if they get too hot. Yikes!
So, I made a list: firebricks for the inside, and then some nicer-looking, regular bricks for the outside, the part everyone sees. I also had to get mortar – that’s the “glue” that holds the bricks together. There’s special refractory mortar for the firebricks, too. Gotta make sure you get the right stuff!
Getting My Hands Dirty (Finally!)
I measured out the space where I wanted the fireplace to go, like, five times. Measure twice, cut once, right? Even though I wasn’t cutting anything yet, it’s the principle of the thing.
Next up, the foundation. I had to make sure the base was super solid and level. I don’t want a wonky fireplace, that will so bad.
I started with the firebricks first. I put some refractory mortar down, placed a firebrick on top, and tapped it with a rubber mallet to make sure it was all snug and secure. Then, repeat, repeat, repeat. It was kind of like putting together a giant, heavy puzzle.
The Outer Layer (The Pretty Part)
Once the firebox was done, I could start on the surround – the outer part of the fireplace. I chose some regular bricks that had a nice, slightly rustic look. I laid them out dry first (no mortar) to make sure I liked the pattern and how they all fit together.
Then, it was back to mixing mortar – this time, the regular kind. I spread it on, placed the bricks, tapped them into place, and scraped off any excess mortar that squeezed out. This part took a while. Bricks are heavy, man!
The Finished (For Now) Fireplace
After a few days of work (and a few sore muscles), I finally had a fireplace! It’s not perfect, of course. There are a few spots where the mortar is a little uneven, and one or two bricks that aren’t perfectly aligned. But, you know what? I built it myself!
I still need to let the mortar cure completely before I light a fire. But I’m already dreaming of cozy nights by the fire, with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. Mission accomplished!