How to Build a Rubble Masonry Fireplace

A rubble stone fireplace has a beautiful, rustic feel to it that compliments a cabin or country-style home. Constructing your own rubble stone fireplace is surprisingly easy and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

• Stone
• Metal lath
• Painter's tape
• Mortar
• Bucket or mortar pan
• Masonry saw
• Nails
• Hammer
• Cloth
• Grout

Instructions

1. Decide how large your mantel will be, taking the room's size and proportion into consideration. Outline the dimensions in painter's tape.

2. Determine how far you want the stone mantel to extend, and mark its footprint on the floor in masking tape.

3. Cut your metal lath sheets to dimensions that will fit inside the marked off area inside the painter's tape, both against the wall and on the floor. This will act as a base for the mortar, allowing for a sturdier and more durable fireplace.

4. Nail the metal lath to the wall and floor. Remove the painter's tape.

5. Mix your mortar. Start at the bottom left corner of your mantel. Apply mortar to the stone you want to go in that spot, then apply the stone.

6. Apply a stone to the bottom right corner of the mantel. This will give you two points of reference as you apply the first row of stones.

7. With each stone, apply a generous layer of mortar with your trowel. Apply mortar in-between the stones. Smooth the mortar between the stones with your hand.

8. Apply the rubble stones in horizontal rows, always starting at the wall and moving from one corner to another. This building pattern that will keep your fireplace structure stable. Apply stones until the mantel is complete.

9. Wipe any excess mortar off with a damp cloth. If the metal lath is visible at the edges, apply a layer of grout to cover it. Allow the mortar to dry for at least 48 hours.