The method of how to build a fireplace surround depends on the kind of material you’ve chosen to use, the area you want to cover and fireplace that you have.
Firstly, let’s see how to build a brick fireplace surround. It is not so complicated and boring-looking as it may seem, but it’s really time-consuming and dirty job, that requires some preparation. After deciding on the future design, what kind of brick tiles you will use and actually getting them (think of how many do you need), you may want to protect your floor using some type of an oilcloth or paper. Then, grab a bucket, water if needed, rubber gloves and something you can stir with and prepare the solution for brick layering. Mark the reference lines on the wall and start building your surround. You may do it in plain lines or in a special pattern. Don’t forget to use the leveling tool. After you’re done and your surround is completely dry, you may paint and decorate it however you wish.
If you were wondering, how to build a stone fireplace surround, then I’d tell you, that the approach described above may be used in tour case as well. In fact, you’re just applying different types of tiles — stone (granite or marble), wooden or brick-imitating ones.
The more complicated question is how to build a corner fireplace surround. In that case, before repeating the same procedure, you have to construct a wooden frame and install it around the fireplace that way, so that you could cover the space between the wall and fireplace and the top part with, for instance, MDF canvass or gypsum plasterboard. Only after that you may attach the tiles of any kind, wood panels or mantel to the frame.
