Building a fireplace yourself won’t burn a huge hole in your pocket, but it’s tough work
Fireplaces add character to your home and bring warmth into a cozy space, but adding them to an existing house can be challenging. Constructing a brick fireplace with a chimney is work best left to a professional, but experienced DIYers may be able to assemble a fireplace structure for a gas or electric insert.
Think you’re up for the challenge? We’ll walk you through how to build a fireplace for your gas or electric unit in just a few short steps.
A fireplace refers to a structure, usually made of brick, stone, or metal, in which it’s safe to burn a fire. Usually constructed inside a home, fireplaces provide a source of heat to a specific room. Traditional wood fireplaces are vented through a chimney so that smoke doesn’t enter the interior. Today, you can also get electric and gas fireplaces; they’re more convenient (you can start a fire with the click of a button) and still offer plenty of charm.
Installing a fireplace insert is a tough task on its own, even if your home already has the fireplace structure built. But what if you want a fireplace and your home doesn’t currently have a structure in place? This helpful guide will talk you through the project.
The cost to install a fireplace can vary significantly depending on the type of fireplace and whether you’re building from scratch or simply installing an insert. A wood-burning insert could cost as little as $700, but hiring a top-rated masonry contractor near you to build a stone or brick fireplace from scratch could cost upwards of $30,000.
Of course, you could save some money by building a wood, gas, or electric fireplace yourself (and then installing the insert on your own as well), but it’s extremely challenging. Unless you’re an advanced DIYer with previous experience in masonry construction, gas plumbing, and/or electrical work, this is one job best left to the pros.
When building an indoor fireplace from scratch, you can choose from three common options:
A masonry fireplace that lets you burn wood (think traditional fireplaces)
A gas fireplace that mimics the look of a wood fireplace—but with easier operation and less pollution
An electric fireplace that is easy to install and can look nice but doesn’t offer as much heat as other options
The type of fireplace you choose will have an impact on how you build it. Traditional masonry fireplaces are typically built as the home is being constructed since they require a chimney and a strong enough foundation to support the structure. If you want to add a fully operable, wood-burning, stone or brick fireplace to your existing home, you should absolutely hire a masonry contractor to secure the necessary permits and inspections and ensure the construction is done safely.
While still challenging, building a fireplace for an electric or gas insert is a possible DIY project for a homeowner with advanced skills. Let’s take a look at the process for each type below.
To build a fireplace for a gas or electric insert, you’ll need several expensive tools and an advanced understanding of construction. Most gas inserts will require installing ventilation as well.
Up for the task? Here’s how to build a fireplace for a gas or electric insert:
If you want to install a gas fireplace DIY-style, there are a few important tools and supplies you’ll need to have on hand first. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s what you’ll need to get started. Refer to the manual that came with your insert for more specific information.
Prefabricated platform or materials to DIY your own fireplace platform
Fireplace insert
Exhaust pipe with appropriate connections
Wood wall surrounds
Drywall
Vent pipe gasket
Drywall saw
Exterior firestop
High-temperature caulk
Paint, stain, or veneer
All materials listed in your manual
The first step of a gas fireplace installation is determining where the insert will actually go. For a gas fireplace, you’ll need an electrical circuit to power the unit, and you’ll also need to be able to vent the toxic fumes outside the home.
If you have an existing chimney, you may be able to vent through that; otherwise, choose a location that will be easy to install the vent, keeping in mind you’ll be cutting through the wall and siding (and the vent will need to go between studs).
Beyond the practical location, you’ll also want to consider where the fireplace makes sense aesthetically. Choose a room that could use the character of a traditional fireplace and that gets colder in the winter.
Once you know where the fireplace will go, you can purchase a unit that fits the parameters of the space.
Note: You can purchase a vent-free gas fireplace, but they’re not legal in every state. Follow the instructions for an electric fireplace (below) if building a fireplace frame for a ventless gas insert.
Your gas fireplace unit cannot sit directly on the floor, so you’ll need to build a platform for it to rest on. Read the manual for your gas fireplace to find the specifications on what the platform should be made of (think non-combustible materials like masonry and ceramic tiles), required clearances for the insert, and how the insert should be positioned on the platform.
Some fireplace manufacturers sell prefabricated platforms. Purchasing one will increase the overall fireplace insert cost but can reduce the work you need to do—and enhances the safety, since the platforms are specifically designed to support the insert.
Start by installing the exhaust pipe to the fireplace insert, either on top or at the back. Follow the owner’s manual for specific instructions for the attachment, including the required gasket.
Trace a circle on the wall where the vent pipe will go, then cut a square that encompasses the circle using a drywall saw. Make sure there are no electrical lines or pipes behind that section of drywall before cutting.
You’ll also need to cut into the siding on the exterior of your home so the vent can completely pass through. The process here will vary depending on the type of siding your home has.
Connect a straight section and 90-degree elbow of the vent pipe to the exhaust pipe on the fireplace insert. Screw the interior firestop into the wall around the opening, then seal it using high-temperature caulk. Attach the vent pipe to the interior firestop. On the outside of the house, install an exterior firestop and attach the vent to it.
You should always hire a local gas plumber to connect your gas line. The plumber should also complete an inspection to ensure everything is up to code.
Similarly, find an electrician near you to run the wiring for the fireplace and make sure it’s up to code.
Once the fireplace insert is properly vented and connected, you can begin to build the shell of the fireplace around the unit, vent, and platform. Start by framing it with wood wall surrounds and drywall, following all the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the space between the fireplace and frame.
Next, construct a mantel for your fireplace that matches the aesthetic of the room. Again, refer to the owner’s manual to ensure the mantel meets all requirements for the fireplace insert.
Designing a hearth at the base will complete the look of a traditional fireplace, even though it’s not functional for a gas insert. The hearth can extend out beyond the bottom platform supporting the fireplace insert.
Right now, your fireplace is all dry wood and wood boards surrounding the gas logs. Now’s when you bring it to life with paint, stain, stone veneer, brick veneer, or some other finish. Ensure whichever finish you choose is compliant with the guidelines and restrictions laid out in the manual. A brick or stone veneer will give the most traditional look.
Is an electric fireplace more your style? Time to grab some tools and get started. Again, this list isn’t all-encompassing, and you should refer to the manual that came with your insert for more specific information.
Drill
Screws
Wood for studs
Trim puller
Circular saw
Wood blocks
Electrical cable
Drywall
Fireplace insert
Paint, stain, or veneer
All materials listed in your manual
There’s a little more freedom when determining where to build an electric fireplace than there is when constructing a gas fireplace. Because there are no toxic fumes, you don’t have to worry about venting the fireplace outside your home.
Your two main criteria when selecting where to build a fireplace to house an electric insert are:
Where will this look good?
Is there a close enough grounded 120V outlet?
You can use a cardboard cutout the size of the unit to envision what it will look like on the wall.
Once you’ve determined the wall you’ll build the fireplace into, remove the baseboard along the entire length of the wall using a trim puller.
Piece together the studs for your fireplace wall with a drill and screws. You’ll need a circular saw to cut your lumber to size.
Install wood blocks to the back of the constructed wall between each stud. Lift up your stud wall from your workspace (you’ll likely need a friend to help), and center it on the existing wall. Screw the new wall into place by screwing the wood plates into the existing wall’s studs.
You can then cut and reinstall your baseboard to cover the parts of the original wall that are still exposed.
Drill holes into your horizontal studs as necessary to fish the cable through the wall so that you’ll be able to plug your electric fireplace in from where it’s mounted.
The outlet should not be behind the wall you’re creating, as you will need easy access to plug and unplug the unit for your safety.
Note: If you’re installing your fireplace wall on an existing wall without an electric circuit, you’ll need to hire an electrician to install a dedicated circuit before you can begin work.
Finish the wall by installing drywall over the studs, leaving a framed opening in which you’ll install the actual electric fireplace insert. You’ll also need to cover the exposed framing in that opening with drywall to meet all safety requirements.
Mount the insert within the opening in the fireplace wall that you’ve constructed. Each unit will have its own installation requirements, so reference the owner’s manual. You may even have to fasten on faux logs to the front to enhance the aesthetic.
Plug the unit in to make sure it operates properly.
Once you’re satisfied with the installation, you can finish the wall by painting it or applying a brick or stone veneer. Make sure it matches the design of the rest of the room, and take this opportunity to make the wall really pop as a focal point of the home.
Maintaining your fireplace—whether gas, electric, or wood-burning—is crucial to ensuring it runs safely and properly and lasts for decades to come. Each type of fireplace is different (for instance, wood-burning fireplace maintenance is a little more involved than gas fireplace maintenance), but in general, the following tips apply:
Review the owner’s manual as you install your fireplace insert, and keep it handy so you can reference it for regular cleaning and maintenance going forward.
Wood-burning and gas fireplaces require an annual fireplace inspection by a licensed professional. You may not need a pro to inspect your electric fireplace insert, but it never hurts to spend a few minutes inspecting the electrical components once a year for signs of fraying or other wear.
Electric fireplaces are the lowest-maintenance, but you’ll still want to clean the unit once or twice a year to ensure a fresh look. How often you clean your gas fireplace depends on how much you use it—but here’s how to clean a gas fireplace, if you want to tackle it yourself.
Cleaning a true brick fireplace can be a little more involved. You can likely clean your brick fireplace yourself, but you’ll want to hire a professional to handle the chimney cleaning. You can usually combine the chimney cleaning and inspection into one service. On average, a chimney sweep costs $255.
Regardless of whether you have a fireplace or not, you should regularly test the smoke detectors throughout your home to ensure they are working properly. Always install a smoke detector in the same room as your fireplace.
If you have a gas or wood-burning fireplace, you’ll also need to install carbon monoxide detectors and test these just as regularly. Burning fuels, such as natural gas and wood, produces carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, dangerous gas that can result in serious sickness or death. CO detectors are especially important around gas appliances; they can alert you to a gas leak that you otherwise might not detect.
Pro Tip: Fire extinguishers don’t last forever. Check the expiration on yours (every room with a fireplace needs a fire extinguisher!), and replace as needed. Take this opportunity to educate yourself and your family on how to use a fire extinguisher in an emergency.
Building a masonry fireplace from scratch is always a job for a professional. It requires thorough inspections by a structural engineer, an advanced understanding of bricklaying, and the construction of a chimney to properly vent the toxic fumes from your home.
Installing a gas or electric insert instead? You may be able to build your own fireplace to support the unit (electric is easier for DIY than gas), but if you don’t have a lot of DIY know-how and plenty of time to spare, it still typically makes sense to hire a pro.
The easiest fireplace to build is an electric fireplace. These aren’t true fireplaces but can mimic the look of a traditional fireplace. True fireplaces, made of brick and stone, are complex and require professional installation; adding them to an existing home is demanding and expensive. You could spend $30,000 to have a real fireplace installed.
The best wood for a fireplace includes hardwoods, such as ash, birch, cherry, maple, and oak. These woods ignite quickly and put out the most heat. They also produce less smoke than other types of wood. Softwoods, such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, are poor choices for burning in a fireplace because they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes it challenging to light.
You can build a fireplace on an existing house, but it’s much easier to construct a masonry fireplace when building a new house. To add to an existing house, you’ll need to build a chimney and ensure the foundation can support a true masonry fireplace. Alternatively, you can purchase a gas or electric fireplace insert, which isn’t as complicated to add to an existing structure.
