Easy How to Build a Fireplace Hearth and Mantel-Part 3

Let’s build a fireplace hearth and mantel! For simplicity, I’ve divided this up into 3 parts: The base. The encasement. The hearth and mantel.

Ok. Hopefully by now your dream of having a fireplace in your bedroom is becoming a reality! Are you making it happen? I hope so!! I know you will absolutely love it! So, enough of my chatter, let’s get to it!

EASY HOW TO BUILD A FIREPLACE HEARTH AND MANTEL -Part 3

Materials Needed:

(Listed below are the materials needed for the ENTIRE “Build a Fireplace” 3-part series)

Well, first things first, you need a fireplace 🙂 I highly recommend this one from Amazon. All of my measurements will be based off of this fireplace insert, however, they can be adjusted to work for any insert. (Amazon Affiliate Links Included)

2x4x8 (16)

3/4″- 4’x8′ Sanded Plywood (2)

1x2x8 (9)

2 1/2″ pocket hole screws

2 1/2″ screws

Access Panel

Stain (I chose Varathane Golden Oak)

Paint

Poly

Tools Needed:

(Amazon Affiliate Links Included)

Table saw Or Circular saw

Multi-purpose tool (optional)

Step One: Build the hearth

Risers. Cut eight 2×4’s at 8 1/8″ and drill 1.5″ p.h.’s on one end. Attach to base using 2.5″ p.h. screws. See picture below for placement…

Stretchers. Cut two 2×4’s at 58 1/16″. Attach to risers using 2.5″ screws…

Cut two 2×4’s at approximately 4″ (measure to fit in between the end of each stretcher). Drill 2.5″ p.h.’s on both ends and attach in between the stretchers on each end, using 2.5″ p.h. screws. This pulls the hearth together and makes it square. See picture below for placement…

Step Two: Build the mantel

Cut sixteen 2×4’s at 4″ and drill 1.5″ p.h.’s on one end. Attach five of them protruding off the front using 2.5″ p.h. screws. See picture below for placement…

Risers. Attach remaining 2×4’s to the top of the surround, using 2.5″ p.h. screws. See picture below for placement…

Step Three: Wrap the fireplace

Cut 3/4″ plywood to fit the front of the hearth. Attach using 2″ screws (Sorry about the blurriness of this picture; not sure what happened)…

Cut and attach 3/4″ plywood to fit the sides, front and top of the hearth.

Now we’re ready to wrap the front of the surround, but first add a 4″ 2×4 onto each side of the fireplace insert, using 2″ screws. This provides a backing for you to screw into when attaching your next section of plywood….

Cut 3/4″ plywood to fit both sides of fireplace insert. Attach using 2″ screws….

It’s a good idea to leave an opening for access to your outlet. Although you’ll leave it plugged in all the time, there may be an occasion where it needs to be unplugged or you need to service that outlet. Not sure why you would need to do either, but just in case. I left a big enough opening to cover it with an access panel.…

Now that the bottom is wrapped, move up to the top of the surround. Following the same steps-cutting pieces to fit…

And lastly, let’s wrap the mantel. I started with the top…

For the front and sides of the mantel, I used 1×6 pinewood. The pinewood will look better with the stain than plywood. Since I’m painting the rest of the fireplace, I’m not worried about the look of the wood, so plywood is fine….

Step Four: Add the trim

Now that the entire fireplace surround is wrapped, we’re ready to add the trim. I used 1×2’s to wrap mine. Cut the trim to fit and attach with 2″ screws. (Of course, you can add trim in whatever design you would like–but if you would like to follow my pattern, see the pictures below)…

Step Five: Paint, Stain, Poly

Stain first. Then paint. I added two coats of polyurethane for protection from scratches, etc. The stain I chose was Varathane Golden Oak. For paint I went with, Sherwin Williams Historic Charleston Green (which is actually black)…

I absolutely love the warmth and coziness our new fireplace has added to our master bedroom. Eventually, I’ll be adding a Frame TV, but for now, isn’t she lovely?