One of my greatest strength (and weaknesses) is my sense of spontaneity.
I will go on road trips on a whim, try new hobbies, implement new ideas within a day, and start fairly large house projects after thinking about them a day or two.
That’s just me.
Now that you know that about me, it’s no surprise that a little over a week ago I decided I wanted a fireplace in my home.
And dammit, I was going to build one.
The results shocked me! It was a bit easier than I expected and by doing the work myself, I saved about a thousand dollars. Not bad!
Pretty drastic difference, eh?
I am so very happy with the way it all turned out and wanted to share with you guys how we built this thing in 1 weekend.
Watch the 4 step process in the video below.
Frame
The fireplace sits on an exterior wall of my home. I don’t think that matters much, but I have received a few questions about that.
Wall 1
We built a frame, much like a small wall, and attached it to the studs on the wall. It was basically a big box with studs every 16 inches on center.
One we had wall one secured to the exterior wall, we started building our second wall.
Wall 2
The second wall gives the fireplace dimension. It sticks out about 8 inches from the exterior wall. We used metal brackets to attach wall 1 and wall 2 together. Wall 2 was framed like you would a window. So if you haven’t built a window frame before- you’re in good company. We watched a crap ton of YouTube videos and learned how to frame a wall for a fireplace or window. Our glass piece from the fireplace insert sits on top of the stone. Our opening for the fireplace was fitted to the metal part of the fireplace insert. Then once we got that part done, we added studs every 12 inches to be safe and covered with drywall.
Drywall
We used a primer on the drywall to help the stone adhere to the wall. So brush that primer on first, let it dry for a bit (per manufacturers recommendations) and then start tiling your stone from the bottom up.
Fireplace Insert
Important note: the electric (plugin) fireplace I ordered is a 50 inch, insert. It’s super important that if you purchase a fireplace insert you be sure that the heater is in the front of the insert and not on the top, bottom, or side of the insert. I did a crap ton of research on this to be sure I had the right fireplace that wouldn’t light my house on fire. 🙂
The exact fireplace insert I purchased can be found here: Touchstone Sideline Recessed Electric Fireplace with heater – Black
I’m not sure why, but landscape inserts are more expensive than traditional square inserts. Because, this is a semi-permanent project, I opted for getting the one I really wanted.
Stone
It took me a little bit to find the stone I wanted. Originally, the stone I almost went with was $90 a square foot. Instead I found the quartz tile for $8 a square foot ($3.98 a piece). This little choice alone saved me hundreds.
The exact stone I used can be found at Lowes or here: Desert Quartz Ledgestone
Important side note: Get some heavy duty mortar. We used “Rapid Setting Tile Mortar.” Seriously, it’s really important you get good mortar, the stone is heavy. And always tile from the bottom up, not front the top down.
Mantel
The mantel really stands out against the lighter colored quartz. I’m a big fan of mixing stains to help you get an even better look than just using one color. I ended up purchasing a small can of Ebony and a small can of Polyshades Bombay Mahogany Satin. It will cost you about $12 for both and you’ll have a lot left over even from the smallest can.
Brush one coat of Ebony on the wood and let it sit for about 7 minutes and then wipe off with a dry rag. Then brush an even, thin coat of Bombay Mahogany and let it sit overnight. (Do not wipe the polyshade color off.)
Important side note: This mantel is not designed to have a TV sitting on it. The inside is hollow, but is where the powerstrip for the TV, Apple TV, and sound bar is stored. That way if I need to access the cables, I don’t have to remove the fireplace insert.
TV Mount
I’ve been getting a ton of questions regarding the TV mount. As you see in the video, I left a tiny square hole for my cords to go through. Then we used a masonry drill bit and mounted the TV through the stone.
This was the TV mount we used. Our mount doesn’t swivel or do anything fancy, but I didn’t really care for those features.
If you’ve ever thought about having a fireplace in your home, but don’t want to run a gas line, I highly recommend building an electric fireplace surround. It’s cost-effective, beautiful, and really makes a big statement in a room.
Hope you enjoy this post! And most importantly, I hope this inspires you to take on home projects of your own.
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This is such a beautiful project. I can’t wait to try this!! Does it really heat up?
It does! It’s like a space heater, but prettier. I hope you try it out! It really made my house feel more cozy. 🙂
I have been looking for ideas to build a fireplace/entertainment area for my living room and this one has got my attention. I am curious to what the original stone you picked out that was $90 sq foot? I am debating on building the stone wall/fireplace with a little more depth so getting the right stone is going to be crucial. I am a novice at DIY projects but this looks like one I can tackle. Your finished project looks great!
Thanks for sharing!!
Travis, the stone I was originally looking at was for outdoors (the stone that is on houses) and was $90 a square. So we did some shopping and found the quartz ledge stone that you use indoors. Much, much more economical. You can definitely tackle it! I’m a pretty novice DIYer myself.
I’d love to see your finished product! Please share when you have yours completed. 🙂
I’ve watched your video, but I’m not super handy, but I have quite a few tools and I’m gaining experience. I can build things when I have directions. Do you have this build broken down more specifically? I would like to build this, with stone only going up to the mantle. And then do some board and batten look above. My ceiling is vaulted. Any tips? We have a 60 inch tv we will mounting above, so I’ll probably do the mantle a little longer than yours to balance it out.
Jessica,
I’m kind of kicking myself for not documenting the dimensions. Basically, I framed another wall (similar to framing a window) 9 inches from the wall, used a lot of supporting brackets to make sure the walls were secured to studs, primed some drywall, and used heavy duty mortar for placing the rock.
The hardest part is getting the opening for the electric insert correct.
Hope this helps! Your plan sounds gorgeous! Tag me in your pictures on Instagram (@whitney_hansen_co). I’d love to see your finished product.
Hi Whitney I love your fireplace u did an amazing job!!! Can u show how you built the whole frame for the insert to sit on please???? Me and my husband soooo want to build one but I didn’t see or know his to build that frame. Also the sheet rocking you did, I only saw u put it on the top but I know you had to put it every where else. I think dome built-ins on both sides would look awesome that’s what I plan to do Lord willing. Please help
HI Diane,
I’m really bummed I didn’t record that and write down all the dimensions. 🙁 But the frame was a very similar process to framing a window. I did sheet rock everywhere. Dome built-ins would be awesome! And honestly, not that difficult to do.
If it helps, the second wall was built about 8 inches from the existing wall.
Thanks for your reply. I am getting back to figuring this project out. 😉 Do you have a cable box? I remember reading you stored a few items in the hollow mantel, but I’m curious if you have a cable box and where you would put it? I’d like to not put bookcase cabinets next to the fireplace so I could put some cozy chairs, but I have a Wii Game System and Cable box to figure out. Also, did you plug the fireplace into an outlet directly behind the fireplace, and is your TV plugged into an outlet directly behind it also, or is the cord dropped down to the outlet strip inside the mantel? Just trying to figure out if I need an electrician. I haven’t ordered the fireplace yet so I’m not sure what the requirements are. Thanks so much for sharing your project! I’ve been researching off and on the last few months and yours is the first one that makes what I’ve been thinking about doable.
Jess, of course! I’m here to help. I don’t have a cable box. The hollow mantel box holds my excess cords for the sound bar and Apple TV. The fireplace was plugged into an outlet directly behind the rock surround. If you can have an outlet designated for the fireplace, that would be ideal. But I didn’t.
My assumption is you would be okay, if you are good about not running the fireplace on high heat, having the TV on, the surround sound, and the Wii (that might take up too much energy and trip the breaker).
YES! I’m so glad my post makes it see doable. It really is! Just expect a few mistakes here and there and have fun with it. It will make your house so cozy. 🙂
Hi Whitney,
Thanks for the informative post!
Was wondering — how do you access the equipment inside the mantel? Do you have some sort of hinge that opens the mantel up?
Thanks Joe! The mantel doesn’t have a hinge at this point, but it’s screwed down and pretty accessible when I need to get inside. A hinge would be AMAZING though!
How did you hang tv and plug everything in?
Hi Jess,
I built the fireplace in a place that had an outlet, so it’s easily accessible. As for hanging the TV, using a wall mount was all that was needed. 🙂 There is a hole behind the TV where the cords hang.
Hi Whitney,
Lovr the look of the surround, and I’m working on something similar now for my wife. One of the issues I am encountering is that at 1500W the fireplace is the only thing we can run without tripping the breaker. Did you upgrae to a 20amp circuit or how did you get around that? Thanks!
Hi Matt, the fireplace only runs at 1500W when it’s on high heat. I did not upgrade my circuit. You’d have to turn it on full blast for it to do that. I have ran my fireplace flames and my TV at the same time with no issues. For me, the fireplace was more about the look than the heat, since in Idaho it’s cheaper to run my central heat than using the electric fireplace to heat downstairs.
Let me know what you decide to go with. And don’t forget to share pictures of your finished product! 🙂
Hi,
did you mount the fireplace on top of the stone or is the stone butted to the edge of the fireplace mount?
Hi Whitney,
Love this project of yours! I am in the process of building this wall with very similar dimensions and the exact same fireplace.
Only question I had was how did you get the fireplace flush with the stone? did you build a second frame that is the size of the fireplace and bring in forward a bit so the stone sits behind it?
any help would he greatly appreciated.
Amazing job! Did you mount the TV on the orginal wall or the new drywall? Also, you built it on an exterior wall…does that mean the other side is outdoors? Last question 🙂 Do you think this can be built on an interior wall? Thanks!!
Thanks Leslie! I mounted the TV on the new drywall, not the original wall.
Yep- the exterior wall I built it on means the other side is outdoors.
This can definitely be built on an interior wall. Just make sure you secure it to studs to the best of your ability.
Hi,
I am in the process of building this wall with very similar dimensions and the exact same fireplace.
Only question I had was how did you get the fireplace flush with the stone? did you build a second frame that is the size of the fireplace and bring in forward a bit so the stone sits behind it?
any help would he greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Hi Sherman,
The fireplace insert itself sits flush with the wall, but when you put the finishing glass piece on, the glass sits on top of the rock. So I framed my fireplace opening to the insert size, not the glass size. Does that make sense?
Hi Whitney,
thank you for getting back to me. Did you line the stone right till the metal frame or did you leave space between the frame and the stone? I am concerned that the stone is not going to allow the glass to slide back on?
I really like your finished project, I’m just wondering how did you finish the corners? Did you buy corner stones or you just lapped the regular ones?
Thanks Diana! I just lapped the regular ones and caulked the edges.
Can you show a picture of how the edges look? I am wondering which route i should take, it would cost a bit more to use corner stones.
Wondering how good it would look if on the sides i extended the pieces passed the corners and interlock them with each other.
Gilbert, mine are butted up against each other. So it’s a bit more of a “raw” look. Corner stones look nice, but man they can break the budget really fast.
How did you secure the mantel to the wall? I missed that part.
I attached a couple of short 2×6’s to the new wall that sit perpendicularly and act as arms. The “arms” then sit inside of the mantel. I drilled a couple screws down into the arms and it secured the mantel together.
I know this may seem silly, but do you have a tutorial or directions for actually building the wooden box/frame? My husband and I are planning on doing something similar to this.
Laura, I’m totally kicking myself for not writing down detailed instructions. I will do my best to create a follow-up video and providing basic sketches of how I made this. It really isn’t too bad! You build one “wall” (wall 1) and attach it to the existing wall. And then build a second wall (wall 2), attach it 8 inches from the wall 1. Wall 2 needs to be framed out like you would a window. The most important part is getting the frame for the fireplace insert correct. So make sure you are measuring to the metal insert and not the glass surround.
Wow it turned out so good! Freaking amazing job. Question: could this be done in a rented house? Like could this be taken out when it comes time to move without damaging the house? First time home renters and trying to get some ideas to make the bland house really different and cozy. Thank you so much for sharing this (-:
Hi Maria, I hate to say this, but I don’t think this would be a good project while renting. 🙁 You have to secure everything to the walls which can cause damage. You could buy a little electric fireplace and redo the surround areas.
Just wanted to say this is freaking gorgeous! Wish I had your talent!!
You are so sweet! Honestly, I’m not that talented. I just try things and see how they turn out. 😉
Thanks so much for posting this tutorial! I really love how it turned out. I am really hoping to do something similar with my electric fireplace, right now its just mounted to the wall. The heat does come out through the bottom though, any idea on how I can possibly make this work? Thanks in advance!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Ya know, I’m not sure with the heat coming out of the bottom. I don’t think it would work….unless it blows heat out of the front of the fireplace, I would imagine that would be a fire hazard.
Hi Whitney,
I love the insert that you built.
I am trying to make an faux ‘electric fireplace’ as DIY project. I have found the LED lights that I can use but don’t know where or how should I install the ‘reflective panels’ which I understand gives the flames a ‘realistic effect’.
Could you please help with this is give links where I can find help with this please? I would love to share the pictures if I do get to build one!
Thanks
Hi Kinzi, you’ve got me stumped. I really am not sure on that. My fireplace came ready to just put in the faux crystals and plug in. So I’m not sure. 🙁
Please do share pictures when you get yours done! I love seeing the finished products!
Whitney,
Did you attach the frame to the ceiling/ floor joists or just the wall studs? Ive been contemplating this for awhile, your project looks awesome.
I attached it to the ceiling and wall studs. I didn’t want to put holes in my wood flooring. I hope you do it. It’s a lot of work, but well worth the impact it makes!
Excellent job, Whitney! I am impressed with how talented you are, and in so many different ways. I am proud of you!
Thanks Lori!! 🙂
Whitney Hansen Great job thanks for informative fireplace 🙂
Thanks Mushii!
Wow! Amazing job!! This post has been major inspiration for me! Thank you for that!! I’m finally starting the fireplace in my living room. I’m having a hard time figuring out what height to put the mantel and fireplace at. I would like to know what measurements you used. Thank you!
Wow this looks beautiful. I’m going to try it. Quick question. How far off the ground is the fireplace? And how far from the fireplace to the mantle? Thank you
The distance from fireplace to mantle depends on the fireplace. There are certain manufacturer recommendations for the distance. From the ground to the fireplace is about 20 inches off the ground.
Whitney,
This looks really great! Can I ask if you are happy with the fireplace insert that you chose? If you were to do it over, would you change anything?
Thanks,
Kim ~
Not a thing! I love it so much! It was a bit spendy because of the length, but well worth it in my opinion.
Hi! Your fireplace looks amazing! I’d love to do this. Can you tell me how much the whole project cost you so I know what kind of budget I need to plan for? Thanks so much! 🙂