DIY Fireplace: Part 2

What you'll need:
[   ] Measuring tape, level & stud finder                       [   ] Mortaring, notched trowel & grout bag
[   ] Angle grinder with diamond wheel                       [   ] Cultured stone & mantel

What you already have:
[   ] Type S Mortar & water                                        [   ] Electric drill with mixing bit
[   ] 5-Gal. (std) plastic pail                                         [   ] Drop Cloth

Mantle:

Hang it. If you're making a custom mantel like we did (6"x8"x4' fir beam) then you will need to get creative on your bracket. Purchase a bracket, lag bolts (diy here), or as we did, get a friend to weld you one. Ours is screwed and glued for an ultimate hold.

Stone:

Layout your stone on a template of your space staggering shapes and sizes. We marked our garage floor with painters tape to create our template - quick and easy. Depending on the look you want, you can stack them close together or space them a finger-width apart. Mark the cut line on each piece that extends past your template and score with your angle grinder (cut 1/4 of the way through). Lay it on the edge of your work table and knock off the end with a hammer - for a natural look.

Mix your mortar.

Installation:

Put 1/4-1/2 inch of mortar on to the back of a piece and press it into the scratch coat. First pieces get installed at the top of the fireplace opening, then the sides and bottom (if your fireplace isn't sitting floor height). The very top (at ceiling or as high as you wish to go) gets done next and finally fill in the rest of the wall from the top to the bottom. Going from top to bottom makes less of a mess.  If mortar drips onto the face of a piece, wait until it's dried and brush it off or it will leave a stain. Clean out all the joints and let dry over night.  Once dry, grout the joints using your grout bag. Let it dry for an hour then shape the joints with a file and brush them for a more natural look.

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