How to Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth, and Surround | This Old House 

This Old House general contractor Tom Silva shows how to beautify an old, ugly brick fireplace. (See below for a shopping list and tools.)
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Tom helped a homeowner update his old fireplace by installing a new custom-built wooden mantle and polished granite hearth. With the old mantle removed, Tom removed some of the bricks at the top of the fireplace with a hammer and chisel to make room for the new mantle. Next, he removed the hearth tiles to make room for the granite. Tom then laid mortar onto the hearth as a setting bed for the new granite. While the mortar was drying, the homeowner cut and installed the granite pieces for the hearth and surround. He used a special construction adhesive to hold the marble in place. To fasten the mantle to the wall, Tom screwed wooden cleats to the wall's framing. He then used finish nails to secure the mantle to the cleats.
Shopping List for How to Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth, and Surround:
knock-down wood mantel surround and beaded molding
granite slabs, used to create surround around fireplace opening
mortar, used to set new granite hearth
masonry adhesive, used to adhere granite surround to brick fireplace
pine 2x2s, used to make wall cleats[BR][BR]
tarps, used to protect floor and control airborne dust
Tools for How to Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth, and Surround:
masonry hammer and cold chisel, used to remove old brick
shovel and mortar tub or wheelbarrow, used to mix mortar
smooth trowel, for spreading mortar
caulking gun, used to apply masonry adhesive
screwdriver, for assembling the knock-down mantel
handsaw, used to cut 2x2 cleats to size
gas-powered or pneumatic nailer and 2-inch nails, for fastening mantel to cleats
power miter saw, used to cut beaded trim to length
The custom-built mantle was manufactured and provided by Premier Mantles Incorporated [www.premiermant...].
Pre-manufactured mantle kits are available at many home centers.
The marble hearth and surround was provided by InterContinental Marble Corporation [www.icmfireplac...].
Additional support was provided by Insul-Mart, LLC [thefireplacesh...] and Brosco Millwork Distributors [www.brosco.com/].
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Upgrade a Mantel, Hearth, and Surround | This Old House
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