Laying Brick for a Hearth

Use different brick colors to create more visual appeal for your fireplace.

A roaring fireplace set behind a brick hearth is a classic look for any living room or sitting room. Creating a brick hearth will give your fireplace more visual appeal, as you can choose brick colors to match the decor of your house. The space will also give you a place to store decor items or fireplace accessories, such as a cleaning kit. With a few bricks and some mortar, you can easily build your own brick earth in front of your fireplace.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• 3 3-by-4 foot boards
• Hammer
• Nails
• Bricks
• Dry mortar mix
• Dowel

Instructions

1. Measure the area for your hearth. The hearth should start at the base of the fireplace and extend several inches, depending on personal preference. Write these measurements down.

2. Create a temporary frame. Cut one 3-by-4 board the length of your fireplace. Cut two 3-by-4 boards the width of your hearth. Line the edges of the short pieces with the edges of the long piece. Hammer two nails into each end of the long board to connect the two short boards. Place the frame in front of the fireplace.

3. Lay the bricks inside the temporary frame, spacing each brick 1/3 to 1/2 inch apart to allow room for the mortar. Remove the bricks from the frame.

4. Mix the mortar according to the package instructions. Use the dowel to place a layer of mortar inside the temporary frame to act as a base for the bricks.

5. Place one brick against the top left corner of the frame, pressing the brick firmly into the mortar. Use the dowel to add a layer of mortar to the open side of the brick. Place the second brick firmly against the first brick. Add a layer of mortar to the open edge of the second brick. Repeat until you complete the first row.

6. Gently wipe the flat edge of the dowel along the mortar line between the bricks to remove any excess mortar. Repeat for each set of bricks in the row.

7. Place a layer of mortar on the end of the first brick. Press another brick against the first brick, starting the second row. Add a layer of mortar to the open side of the first brick on the second row and a second layer to the end of the second brick on the first row. Press another brick into place. Repeat this process for the remaining rows.

8. Allow the mortar to dry over night. This will set the bricks in place. Once dry, carefully remove the temporary frame.

Tips & Warnings

• Add a small amount of water to the mortar if the mixture begins to harden.

References

• Gomestic: How to Lay Bricks
• Rumford Fireplace: General Instructions