Okay, so I wanted to share my recent project with you all. I decided to tackle our old, boring fireplace and give it a much-needed upgrade. The project? Working with fireplace bricks and mortar. Sounds simple, but trust me, it was quite the adventure!
First off, I did a lot of research. I needed to figure out what kind of mortar could handle the heat. Ended up going with a high-heat mortar mix that can supposedly withstand temperatures up to 2550°F. That sounded strong enough for a fireplace, right? Plus, it was supposed to be good for setting fire bricks, which was exactly what I needed.
Before I could start with the bricks, I had to think about the overall look. Our fireplace was standing out like a sore thumb against the light-colored walls. It just didn’t fit. So, I decided to repaint the walls, ceiling, and trim. I went with a deep inky-blue. Man, did that make a difference! The fireplace started to blend in so much better.
Getting My Hands Dirty
Now, for the actual brickwork. I needed a solid base, and apparently, a reinforced concrete slab is the way to go. I had to make sure it was done right, especially because our soil here can be a bit tricky. I got that sorted out, following some advice I found about building outdoor fireplace bases. It seemed like a similar process, and I figured it was better to be safe than sorry.
Next up, laying the bricks. I chose thin brick veneers because they seemed easier to work with. I watched a few tutorials on how to apply them, and it seemed pretty straightforward. The process was basically cleaning the surface, applying the mortar, and then sticking the bricks on. Sounds easy, but it took some patience to get them lined up just right.
The Messy Part
Let me tell you, mixing mortar is messy! I ended up with it everywhere – on my clothes, in my hair, you name it. But, it was kind of fun in a weird way. I felt like a real mason, even though I was just a guy trying to improve his living room. I had to work quickly before the mortar dried, but I took breaks to step back and admire my progress. It was coming together nicely!
- Step 1: Clean the existing fireplace surface. I scrubbed and scrubbed until it was spotless.
- Step 2: Mix the high-heat mortar. Messy, but crucial.
- Step 3: Apply the mortar to the fireplace. I used a trowel and tried to keep it even.
- Step 4: Place the thin brick veneers onto the mortar. This was the fun part!
- Step 5: Wait for it to dry. I was so impatient, but I knew rushing would ruin it.
- Step 6: Admire the finished product. It looked so much better than before!
After the bricks were set, I thought about adding an oak fireplace beam. I saw some beautiful ones online, made right here in Great Britain, and they came in all sorts of styles and colors. But, I decided to hold off on that for now. Maybe it’s something I’ll add later, but I was pretty happy with how the brickwork turned out on its own.
All in all, it was a challenging but rewarding project. The fireplace looks a hundred times better, and I did it all myself! It wasn’t always easy, and there were definitely moments when I questioned my decision to DIY it. But, seeing the final result, I’m glad I stuck with it. Now, we have a cozy, stylish fireplace that feels like it truly belongs in our home. Plus, I learned a lot along the way. Who knew I had a hidden talent for bricklaying?
