How to Build a DIY Brick Fireplace Hearth with a Shiplap Accent Wall & Rustic Wood Beam Mantle
Part 3 | DIY Shiplap Accent Wall
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
- Brad Nailer Gun
- Air Compressor
- Oscillating multi-tool
Materials
- 1/4″ Underlayment sheets cut into 6″ boards (cut to desired length)
- 2 – 3.5″ Trim boards (cut to desired length)
- 1 gallon Benjamin Moore Advance – Dove White – in Satin
- 1 gallon Killz water-based primer
- 18 gauge, 1 1/4″ brad nails
- Subfloor adhesive
- 1/8″ spacers
- Electrical box extenders
- Paint roller and tray
- Paint roller extension pole
- 2.5″ Angled cut-in paint brush
- Caulk
- Protective plastic sheeting
Measurements
- Shiplap boards – 69″ wide x 54″ tall
- Shiplap trim – 3.5″ wide x 54″ tall
- Shiplap and trim overall – 76″ wide x 54″ tall
Step 1 – Measure and cut shiplap and trim boards
You need to figure out how many boards you will need to create your DIY shiplap accent wall above your mantle. We decided to use 6″ wide faux shiplap cut from 1/4″ underlayment sheets. We needed exactly 9 shiplap boards for our project. To match the width of the new brick surround and hearth we cut the shiplap to 69″ wide. The trim boards are 3.5″ wide each, making the overall width of the shiplap accent wall 76″ wide (just 1/2″ shy of the fireplace brick width of 76.5″ wide).
The trim boards are 1/2″ thick (1/4″ thicker than the shiplap boards) to create a framed effect with the added depth.
Step 2 – Install shiplap and trim boards
Before installing the shiplap, we marked 3 vertical lines from the fireplace to the ceiling to mark the studs. To perfectly center the shiplap over the fireplace we made a center mark on the wall and measured 34.5″ (the total length of the shiplap boards divided in two) from that point on both sides to find the exact placement of each edge of the shiplap. Then we marked a vertocal line on both sides to ensure we lined up the shiplap perfectly as we installed it.
Beginning with the bottom most shiplap board, each board is glued to the wall with subfloor adhesive and then nailed into place along the stud line guides. Place your next board, using spacers between the rows, glue, nail, and repeat as your work your way up the wall.
We used 18 gauge, 1 1/4″ brad nails with our brad nailer gun and air compressor.
*Tip: For a more detailed tutorial on installing DIY shiplap see this post.
There were 2 outlets on this wall, one was inactive and was covered before we began this project, so we covered the one hole with the shiplap and used an electrical box extender for the other outlet to bring it flush with the shiplap. If you have electrical outlets or light switches where you plan to install your shiplap you will need to measure them and use a oscillating multi-tool to cut out the small area around the outlet. Measure exactly where you need to cut out the shiplap to go around the electrical outlet and then made your cuts. We had to cut 2 pieces of shiplap to fit around the top and bottom of the electrical outlet.
Next we installed 3.5″ wide 1/2″ thick trim boards on either side of the shiplap from the mantle to the ceiling to give it a framed and finished look. These trim boards are twice as thick as the shiplap to add depth to the wall and give it a true framed appearance. As with the shiplap, add a layer of glue then nail them into place with a brad nailer.
Step 3 – Paint shiplap and trim boards
We used the same paint as our kitchen cabinets and shiplap entry wall: Benjamin Moore Advance in Dove White. The finish is satin.
Before painting be sure to mask off the fireplace and surrounding area with plastic in case of paint splatter.
Paint the shiplap with a light coat of water based Killz primer first. The finish paint is a special water-based paint with self leveling properties, so its advisable to use a water-based primer as well. The photos below show the raw wood (left) and primered wood (right).
Next paint 3 light layers of finish paint using mostly a roller and a just a quality cut-in trim brush for the edges and small areas. Let the paint dry completely between each layer. It can take a bit of paint to cover raw wood so doing light layers with dry time between helps coat the shiplap evenly with a smooth finished appearance. The photos below show the finish paint over the primer (left) and the finished shiplap accent wall (right).
The finished project!
This project was definitely quite the undertaking, but we both agree that the work was worth the result. Our small and bland builder-grade flat fireplace is now a big, beautiful show stopping focal point in our home. The bricks aren’t laid perfectly, but the imperfections only remind us that we have DIYed every inch of this home with our own hands – and that is what makes our home special.
The final step in this DIY Fireplace makeover is painting it white. See how we paint our DIY brick fireplace white using just primer and paint here!
Here is a look at our DIY Brick Fireplace Mantle decorated for Spring!
26 Comments
Laird Cross
Hi Bree! The project looks great! I like to see homeowners taking the initiative to do these things themselves. I’d like to add a little bit of constructive criticism if that’s ok. The metal support that you are using is called a brick lintel. It’s critical in maintaining structural support for all of the bricks above it. It should run into the mortar joint in either side at least 6 “, allowing the lower brick to support the upper. This cannot be removed however! It needs to stay in place permanently! I see that you are using type S mortar. Type S is structural but for download purposes only. Ie. in between brick or block that are holding up a raised home. It CANNOT however maintain a load without a structural material underneath. Brick lintels are meant to stay in place forever. While it might be ok right now, it’s going to crack and start coming apart at some point. Really, for a fireplace surround, type N mortar is easier to work with and is all that needed as there is no live load ever put on it. The only dead load is the brick above and that is of no consequence. Please, do yourself a favor and replace the lintel. Unfortunately you will have to remove the row of brick right above the fireplace opening and the one above that. Attach your brick lentil and then replace those two rows of brick. If you need to notch the back of the brick out to compensate for the lentil you can. I’m taking for granted that you used a piece of steel 90. If you used a piece of flat steel, you need to switch to a piece of steel 90. 2″ x 2″ is sufficient but I like to use 2″ x 4” with the 4 inch leg attached to the studs above. Please don’t take this as criticism. The job looks great. However, I do this for a living and I have seen many manyFireplace surrounds fail for this exact reason. Sometimes it takes a year sometimes it takes five years, but it always happens. Best regards and good luck
kelsey
It is beautiful!! Do you mind sharing what the height of the mantle is to the floor?!
Bree
Thanks! 50″ from the floor to the base of the mantle beam.
Laird Cross
Hi guys I have one more comment to make. For all of the DIY community. I think Bree has a gas fireplace. Please please please whatever you do, find out exactly what fireplace you have, download the specs on that fireplace, and follow the clearance instructions in the manual. Most gas and wood-burning fireplaces require, Not recommend, 12 inches of clearance from the fireplace opening to the side wall, 20 inches for the hearth extending out from the fireplace opening with an additional 28 inches of some type of non-combustible material for a total of 48 inches of non-combustible material past the edge of your fireplace. I saw a question in here asking how high the mantle wise on this particular fireplace. Every fireplace is different and you must follow the manufacturers requirements. We just got it a home that burned down last November because the fireplace surround was not sufficient and burning embers ignited the wood floors. Again, every fireplace is different but please do your homework before you attempt to do a fireplace makeover.
Christa
I love seeing DIY before and afters. This project turned out beautifully!
Angela Cardamone
Wow, this is so beautiful! I love how you laid out all of the steps needed to do it so it is actually possible to follow!!
Stephanie
What a transformation! It definitely infused the modern look with the homey and cozy ambiance thanks to the fireplace Your house is beautiful!
Monica Pell
The fireplace looks so good. 🙂 I am dreaming of this DIY, time to convince the hubby HA 😉
Emma
Wow this looks so good! Such helpful step by step pictures too!
Hailey
It’s lovely to see this transformation from start to finish. I would love to have a shiplap accent wall like that – but wow is that brick incredible! SO much charm!
Molly
Your fireplace looks absolutely amazing!!!!!
Nina Smith
I have been wanting to make out little fireplace look more grand, and scouring Pinterest until I saw this – SHOW STOPPER! I realllly like how big and bold the bricks look compared to the “before” photo.
Kathy
Definitely need mad skills to do that. If I did something like this, it would be a total nightmare for me – but your tutorial is so detailed that I am sure someone handy can do this!
Beth
Wow. I am pretty sure that I need to do my fireplace now. WOW.
Vanessa
This looks fantastic. I love that you emphasize that its not perfect, its a DIY! It gives me the courage to try knowing its OK to DIY imperfectly (though to me this IS perfect).
Whitney Strong
This project looks intense. Like wow I love to DIY but not sure I could take this one on. It turned out beautifully in your home.. 🙂
Katie H.
It looks like something that had been there the entire time… Love the details you’ve added to it especially the cute accent decor, beautiful..
Charmaigne
omg!!! This fireplace is GORGEOUS!!! I can’t believe this can be done as diy, I love it!!!
Rachel
I love this. I want a fireplace but I only have a tiny flat. One day…..
Joline
Whoa what a major project! Looks awesome. Our fireplace is more like the second photo. My brother-in-law has been wanting to update his though. This is the perfect project for him this summer.
Stephanie
It’s amazing what a coat of paint can do. Then you went and transformed the entire thing! It looks like it was a big project, but the outcome looks awesome!
Kacie
This is so detailed, I want to do this DIY to our home. I just am not sure yet if I have the skill.
Elizabeth Uchealor
Great job you did here, thank you for sharing with us. I love fireplaces, they really add beauty to a home. Apart from the heat that is.
Would have loved to know how much it cost you to create it.
Bree
Thank you! Overall the cost was just about $400.
Randi
Did you do this DIY because of cost, or ? I am wondering if I could hire this out, or if its crazy expensive. thx…
Bree
We were quoted between $1100-1500 to have the brick installed for us, so we went for the DIY and only spent around $400 for everything including the shiplap and paint. Hope that helps!