DIY,  DIY | Home Projects

How to Build a DIY Brick Fireplace Hearth with a Shiplap Accent Wall & Rustic Wood Beam Mantle

Part 2 | DIY Rustic Wood Beam Mantle

We previously updated our fireplace with shiplap and a wood beam before we updated it again to DIY the brick hearth. Part 2 and Part 3 of this tutorial show some images and information that can also be found and in more detail on the original DIY shiplap fireplace post.

Tools, Materials & Measurements

Tools

Materials

  • 4×8″ Wood beam for the mantle (cut to desired length)
  • 3 – 4″ Wood screws
  • Paintable wood filler
  • Wood stain (Minwax special walnut & weathered oak)
  • Stain brush

Measurements

  • Wood beam for the mantle – 4×8″ x 83″ in length

Step 1 – Measure and cut wood beam for mantle

After selecting the size of your new wood beam mantle you can prepare it for installation. Our wood beam is a 4×8″ piece of fir wood. We picked it up at a Dunn Lumber (our local hardware stores do not carry this size) and cut it to 83″ in length. At this size it overhangs 4″ over the face of the fireplace bricks and 3″ over both sides of the new brick fireplace surround. Be sure the wood is completely dry before installing.

Step 2 – Install wood beam into studs

Find the studs in the wall to attach the new wood beam mantle to. Once you know where to anchor the mantle, drill holes with a Kreg Jig and use 4″ wood screws to secure the beam into the studs.

Before staining the mantle, fill the holes with wood filler. Fill it generously and completely and leave a bump on top. For deep holes like these, wait 24 hours for it to dry completely, it will flatten down as the filled settles.  Finally, sand the whole beam completely before staining.

Step 3 – Stain wood beam

Tape off the area around your new wood beam mantle. Test your stain on some of the excess wood (all wood stains differently, this ensures your happy with the color on your particular wood). I like to use a mix of Weathered Oak and Special Walnut to achieve a rustic farmhouse color.

Stain the beam completely and allow it to dry for 24 hours. Alternatively, you could stain the beam before installing it and then just stain over the wood filled screw holes after it is attached to the wall. Optionally, you can wait until after installing the shiplap (as we did) to do this step.

Head to Part 3 for the DIY Shiplap Accent Wall Tutorial!

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