Building A Frame Around A Fireplace

The most important part is getting the frame for the fireplace insert correct.

Building a frame around a fireplace.

You build one wall wall 1 and attach it to the existing wall. Go to the fireplace store and select your firebox or fireplace insert before the framing starts. It really isn t too bad. Face frame to build the face frame for the bookshelves i used 1x3s made from poplar and pine pine because they kept running out of poplar at the store.

You will want a minimum 4 thick up to 8 thick reinforced concrete pad. The ceiling is done the same way. Wall 2 needs to be framed out like you would a window. Next add pl adhesive by locktite to the back of the wood.

Adding these bookcase carcasses really made a difference in my diy built in cabinets around my fireplace. Get the rough in drawings with dimensions from the fireplace manufacturer s literature or brochure for the firebox you select. If you are building on a pre existing concrete pad or one much larger than your fireplace footprint be sure to form or cut expansion joints around the fireplace. This is the companion video to our recent article on building a rumford style fireplace.

How to build a full fireplace from scratch. Make a copy of the drawings and give them to your framer so he will have them when it s time for the fireplace framing. The floor can be framed out of two 2x4 knee walls with 3 4 osb covering the floor. Expansion joints will ensure that the weight of your structure does not crack your concrete pad.

Cy started the project by building a frame above the mantle ledge to create a flat surface between the two places where the brick stuck out. After the basic frame box is built for the fireplace build a floor and ceiling inside the walls where the unit sits. Traditionally a rumford fireplace is characterized by a tall shallow firebox designed to reflect heat out into a room instead of letting it all go up the c. To attach the wood to the brick you need to first drill a hole in the brick with a concrete drill bit.

While photographing the article build a fireplace brick by brick with experienced mason mike mehaffey deputy editor matt millham brought the fine homebuilding video team along to capture the process of building a modern fireplace inspired by the classic rumford design.