How to Install Brick on a Fireplace

When I created my DIY fireplace, I didn’t realize that thin brick installation was so easy and forgiving to do. This blog post will be a great help to you when you install your brick as a backsplash, accent wall or even a fireplace build.

So now let’s talk about the install process.

What Supplies Did I Use?

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• Dowels – 3/8″ (Qty: 5-10)
• Grout Float
• Trowel
• Thin Brick – Old Chicago Blanc
• Thin Brick Corners – Old Chicago Blanc
• Versabond Thinset Mortar – White
• Lazer Leveler (optional, but helps with making sure the brick is level)
• Carpet Shield
• Mortar Mixer Attachment for Drill
• Tile Wet Saw

To install brick, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Prepare the surface where you will install the brick by cleaning it thoroughly if it’s a wall for a backsplash or accent wall and ensuring it is level. Also cover your flooring with Carpet Shield or plastic (this gets messy!)
   • For my brick fireplace I attached cement board to 2×4’s first and so I didn’t need to clean the cement board, just make sure it was level. Cement board is the better for Brick application than drywall if doing a fireplace.
2. Apply a layer of mortar to the surface, using a notched trowel to create ridges in the mortar.
   • You can also choose to back butter the brick by applying some mortar to the back of the brick, I feel that this helped with the thin brick installation.
3. Press the brick firmly into the mortar, making sure it is level and flush with the surrounding bricks.
   • I used a lazer leveler for my first layer to ensure that the first layer was completely straight when applying my brick.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3, placing each brick next to the previous one and using spacers or dowels to ensure even spacing.
   • I got a lot of negative commentary from old men on Facebook telling me that the dowels were a stupid idea (see video below), however I feel they helped create a perfect gap for my grout when it was time to grout in between the bricks. The dowels also were perfect to ensure that my brick was completely level with each other on each layer.
   • Use a Tile Wet Saw to cut brick with intricate cuts
5. Once all bricks are in place, allow the mortar to dry completely before grouting the gaps between the bricks.

Some Helpful Tips

1. If using Dowels, just remember to remove the dowel within 10 min so that the dowel doesn’t get stuck in the mortar. I broke my five dowels in half so that I had ten dowel rods to work with at one time and then I could keep using them interchangeably.
2. If you have corners (like going around a wall or doing a DIY Fireplace) then just make sure you do one corner first working your way from bottom to top. Once that corner is done, then you can start doing the bottom layer all around your project. Once the bottom layer is complete, work your way upwards.
3. When working on your first bottom layer, you can use a 2×4 or another object to keep the bottom layer from falling. Once the bottom layer is level and secure, you can remove those objects and continue to work on the wall.