Fireplace How To & DIY

Improve the value of your home by discovering our fireplace step-by-step tips & ideas.

Building a Custom Fireplace Mantel
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How To Build a Custom Fireplace Mantel for Your Home

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner build a custom fireplace mantel. With the right tools, you can do it yourself.
S22 E4: Mark McCullough clears creosote from fireplace brick
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How To Clean Creosote from a Fireplace

Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner remove stubborn creosote from a brick fireplace to make it safer for use.
S21 E25, Richard Trethewey installs a wood-burning fireplace insert
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How to Install a Fireplace Insert

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner supplement their living room heat by installing a wood-burning insert in their existing fireplace.
Finished Product, White wood trim brightens the fireplace, which is accented by a rustic mantelshelf; a black-painted firebox adds depth.

How To Completely Refresh Your Fireplace on a Budget

Homeowners can easily make over their fireplaces without breaking the bank. Read our guide on how properly plan for the project, and refresh your home's coziest feature.
A man repointing bricks in a fireplace.

How to Repoint a Brick Fireplace in 6 Simple Steps

Unsightly cracked and crumbling mortar on your fireplace is a relatively easy fix with the right tools and materials. Our guide shows you how.
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How To Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth and Surround

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to make an old brick fireplace look more modern and fresh.
Fireplace with newly installed subway tile at the hearth

How to Tile a Hearth

Looking for a way to add style and functionality to a room's centerpiece? Read on to learn how to retile your hearth to do just that.
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How To Replace a Fireplace Cover

Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner replace an old set of fireplace doors for a fresh new look and improved safety.
A painted brick fireplace in a modern living room.

How To Paint a Brick Fireplace

Brick fireplaces are great, but can often look dated and dirty. Paint your fireplace and refresh your space using our step-by-step guide.
Jenn Largesse builds a custom built-in shelving unit for a fireplace surround
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How To Build a Custom Built-In Shelving Unit in 13 Steps

DIY Expert & House One editor Jenn Largesse shows how to build custom shelving units around an existing fireplace mantel for a custom, built-in look.
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How To Build a Firepit From a Kit

Want to spruce up your backyard? This Old House expert mason Mark McCullough shows us how to build a firepit with a kit and some simple tools.
Splitting wood with an axe
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Splitting Firewood by Hand vs. Machine

Learn how to split firewood, both by hand and with a machine, from This Old House's Tom Silva and Jenn Nawada.
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How To Replace Glass Fireplace Doors to Freshen up Your Home

Learn how to replace glass fireplace doors to upgrade an outdated or inefficient fireplace with our step-by-step guide.
Two people applying tiling over a brick fireplace

How To Tile Over a Brick Fireplace: a Step-by-Step Guide

Want to spruce up your fireplace? Tiling over a brick fireplace can give your living area a stylish and modern appearance.
A brick chimney on a house.

How & When To Clean Your Chimney

Learn how and when to clean your chimney properly to prevent dangerous creosote buildup and reduce the risk of chimney fires.
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How To Replace a Hearth with Slate Tile

Learn how to replace an old hearth with stylish slate tiles. Our guide covers tools, techniques, and safety tips for a DIY fireplace upgrade.
Burning fireplace with the words "Old Glory" written above it.

All About Fireplaces

Interested in learning about fireplaces? Our comprehensive guide covers fireplace types, maintenance, safety precautions, and décor ideas.
Two men sitting by a fire they built in a fireplace.
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How to Build a Fire in a Fireplace

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough demonstrates the best way to build a fire in order to prevent smoke from filling up the room.
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How To Restore a Historic Fireplace

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough delicately restores a damaged historic fireplace built with custom, nearly irreplaceable bricks.
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How To Whitewash a Brick Fireplace

Learn how to whitewash a brick fireplace with our step-by-step guide. Achieve a timeless, rustic look with this technique.
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How To Repair Damaged Fireplace Brick

Learn how to assess and repair a damaged fireplace brick. Mason Mark McCullough demonstrates the process in this how-to video.
Two people applying tiling over a brick fireplace
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How to Reface a Fireplace with Granite

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough teaches apprentice Krysten how to reface a granite fireplace.
Refreshed Fireplace

Before and After: A Dated Brick Fireplace Makeover for $45

A first-time homeowner transforms a dated brick fireplace with two cans of gray paint—and some DIY artistry.
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How To Install a Gas Log Fireplace

This Old House works with chimney and fireplace expert Clint Sanner to repair a chimney and convert a wood-burning fireplace with a gas log.
log cart for firewood
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How to Build a Log Holder

Ferrying firewood to the hearth just got a lot easier with this durable cart.
A living room with a cheery fireplace at it's center.

A Cheery Fireplace for Your Home at an Affordable Price

In this guide, we walk you through how one family was able to completely revamp their fireplace on a budget of just $800.
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How to Install a Gas Fireplace Insert

Upgrade your old wood burning fireplace with a more convenient gas fireplace insert.
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How to Install a Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert

Richard Trethewey and an expert installer show you how to install a fireplace insert that increases heat output and decreases cost.
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How You Can Safely Split and Dry Logs for Firewood

Splitting and drying your own logs for firewood is a great way to prepare for cold winters. Read about how to do this safely in our step-by-step guide.
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How To Install a Chimney Liner and Damper

We'll walk you through the steps to create a safe wood-burning fireplace with This Old House host Kevin O'Connor.
fireplace with Faux Log Summer Front

How To Create a Faux Log Summer Front

Learn how to liven up your fireplace during its offseason and enhance your home's decor with this stacked log illusion.
Image of a person standing next to a brick fireplace

17 Fireplace Upgrades

We rounded up 17 ideas to help you update and modernize your fireplace whether you have a tile fireplace or a brick fireplace.
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How To Install a Stone-Veneer Fireplace Surround in Your Home

In this video, senior technical editor Mark Powers shows how easy it is to dress up your fireplace with lightweight cast stones.