Building A Brick Fireplace

Technical notes 19a residential fireplaces details and construction rev may 1980 reissued jan.

Building a brick fireplace.

Build a fireplace brick by brick use these tips to design and create a long lasting heat throwing firebox based on the traditional rumford fireplace. This is the companion video to our recent article on building a rumford style fireplace. Masonry fireplaces take a standard fireplace up a notch or two on the elegance scale due to the amount of work it requires and the high quality materials used to build them. Brick masonry residential fireplaces can be made more energy efficient by providing a source of combustion and draft air drawn from the exterior of the structure.

Once you know what you want to build lay a concrete foundation put a layer of cinder blocks over that then build the firebox and chimney out of firebrick and use a jointer and brush to remove bubbles from the. The proper construction of a masonry fireplace takes preparation to avoid costly mistakes but the payoff is. Brick fireplaces complement any home s interior decor and create a cozy inviting atmosphere in any room. While photographing the article build a fireplace brick by brick with experienced mason mike mehaffey deputy editor matt millham brought the fine homebuilding video team along to capture the process of building a modern fireplace inspired by the classic rumford design.

It s a lot easier learning how to build a fireplace like this in new. By mike mehaffey issue 284 july 2019. Rumford fireplaces are wide tall and shallow with sides that angle in from the back and allow heat to radiate from the firebox. Proper detailing and construction can also contribute to the overall performance of the fireplace.

To build an outdoor fireplace make a detailed plan of what the fireplace will be for where it will go and what will go around it. Brick fireplaces are timeless and stand the test of time. Flush with the wall the fireplace has a raised hearth that projects into the room. A masonry fireplace consists of a brick or stone firebox a brick or stone chimney and more often than not a wood mantel.