Fireplace How To & DIY

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

How to Build a Custom Fireplace Mantel

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner build a custom fireplace mantel.

S22 E4: Mark McCullough clears creosote from fireplace brick

How to Clean Creosote from a Fireplace

Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner remove stubborn creosote from a brick fireplace.

S21 E25, Richard Trethewey installs a wood-burning fireplace insert

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.

A Budget-Friendly Fireplace Refresh

A blah brick hearth gets a cheery cottage-style refresher with some clever DIY woodwork and a high-contrast paint job

How to Repoint a Brick Fireplace

Unsightly cracked and crumbling mortar can be fixed in minutes with a few simple tools. Read on the see how you can quickly repoint a brick fireplace.

How to Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth and Surround

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to beautify an old, ugly brick fireplace.

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 retiling your hearth can do just that.

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.

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How To Paint a Brick Fireplace

Brick fireplaces are great, but they often look dated, dark, and dirty. Instead of living with that drab, sooty look, learn how to paint a brick fireplace to give your space some fresh new style.

Jenn Largesse builds a custom built-in shelving unit for a fireplace surround

How to Build a Custom Built-in Shelving Unit

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.

Building a Fire Pit from a Kit

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough installs a fire pit kit in this DIY Smarts project.

Splitting Firewood by Hand vs. Machine

Ask This Old House general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Jenn Nawada split firewood using a variety of techniques.

How to Replace Glass Fireplace Doors

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough replaces a pair of outdated, malfunctioning fireplace doors

How to Tile Over a Brick Fireplace

Can you tile over a brick fireplace? Use a trowel thinset over the brick and then tile over it.

How to Clean Your Chimney

A clean, well-maintained chimney will save you money and prevent trouble—and, yes, there are parts of the job you can do yourself.

How to Replace a Hearth with Slate Tile

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough replaces a common terra cotta hearth with slate tile.

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All About Fireplaces

Everything you need to know to understand this iconic home feature.

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.

How to Restore a Historic Fireplace

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough delicately restores a damaged historic fireplace that is built with custom, nearly irreplaceable bricks.

How to Whitewash Brick with Paint

Ask This Old House painter Mauro Henrique updates a fireplace surround with a whitewashed look.

How to Repair Damaged Fireplace Brick

Ask This Old House mason Mark McCullough replaces a chipped brick in a fireplace surround.

How to Reface a Fireplace with Granite

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

How to Install a Gas Log Fireplace

Ask This Old House host Kevin O'Connor works with a professional chimney expert to repair a clay chimney and reignite an old fireplace with a gas log.