How to Brick Veneer a Fireplace | Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough replaces a homeowner’s sloppy fireplace surround with a clean, thin brick veneer

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Time: 4-5 hours
Cost: $400
Skill Level: Difficult

Tools List for Brick Veneer: [YT]
Safety glasses [https://amzn.to/35zUZ8k]
Chisel [https://amzn.to/2pj15JD]
Hammer [https://amzn.to/31ozqo8]
Brick ruler [https://amzn.to/31ghgoj]
Trowel [https://amzn.to/32lpRaO]
Level [https://amzn.to/31e3oLb]
Tuck pointer [https://amzn.to/2MlyxZf]
Masonry brush [https://amzn.to/2MgRnjS]

Shopping List: [YT]
Thin brick [https://amzn.to/33CG77A]
Painters tape [https://amzn.to/2MiQWG4]
Thinset [https://amzn.to/2nOpYwt]
Type N mortar [https://amzn.to/2q9tuCf]

Steps:
1. Start by removing the old veneer. Take a chisel and a hammer and try to cut the thin stones until you can get the chisel behind it. Then, use the chisel and hammer to pry it off from behind. This process sends chips of stone flying, so wear safety glasses to protect your eyes.
2. Template for the new thin brick. Mark used a brick ruler to get the spacing just right and also save time, but it’s possible to also eyeball it as long as you mark each individual thin brick. Painter’s tape can be used to mark each spot.
3. Apply the thin bricks with a thinset, same as with tiling, and a trowel. Check for level every few bricks.
4. Fill in the joints with Type N mortar and a tuck pointer.
5. Brush off any excess mortar using the masonry brush.

Resources:
Mark installed General Shale French Quarter thin brick [https://amzn.to/2MhYJnd] as a veneer over the old fireplace. He ordered both flat and corner thin bricks to make sure the fireplace opening looked fully covered. He secured the veneer to the wall using Quikrete Type N mortar [https://amzn.to/2oMjy1b].

To template the brick placement, Mark used a brick ruler, which can be found at masonry supply stores.

The materials Mark used to install the thin brick, including tuck pointers, trowels, and painter’s tape can all be found at home centers.

Expert assistance with this segment was provided by the Spaulding Brick Company (https://spauldingbrick.com/).

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Brick Veneer a Fireplace
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