Putting a fireplace in any room might seem like an overwhelming task. But, ventless fireplaces have changed the daunting experience of hiring a contractor and having your home tore to shreds. All you need now is a fireplace insert and you are on your way. Of course, you will still need some building supplies. But, you can do it yourself in less than a day. You need some basic skills. But, they aren’t hard to learn. Things You Will Need: Plywood Brick Mortar Board ( 2’W X 4’L X 2” Thickness will do just fine) Fireplace Insert Gel Fuel When you have your location in your room chosen, place a 4’ X 3’ section of plywood on the floor and build the hearth with a layer of brick. Your design options are up to your imagination. Just follow these steps, but alter them to your style. If your fireplace is larger than the dimensions discussed here, you’ll need a bigger section of board and plywood. Lay a 4’ by 3’ foundation of brick so that the brick is lying flat. Using a trowel, apply mortar to hold the bricks together and scrape off excess. This is the hardest part of the job and takes some practice. But, you can get use to it and become your own master in no time. Then, you’ll be building brick structures all around your home. Once the foundation is laid, start building your fireplace with a brick wall for the back. Make it 4’ high X 4’ wide. Next, build the side walls bringing them out 2’ from the wall. The last part is placing your board on top for the mantel piece. An easy trick is to drill screws in the bottom of the board so that they only go in 1’. You only need to drill two screws at each end of the board where they will fit nicely in the holes of the bricks. Apply a layer of mortar and place your board on the mortar before it dries. The screws will go through the mortar, into the brick and provide a stable hold when the mortar dries. You’re finished! Place your fireplace insert inside your fireplace in light some gel fuel. Dress the fireplace up any way you want. I have molding serve a wonderful purpose and I’ve seen old kitchen cabinets come back to life dressing up a ventless fireplace. So, have fun with it. Put a fireplace in any room.
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
Jessica Brylan has been a student of construction all her life, under her father who retired in 2004. Her passion turned to interior design and strangely evolved into becoming a ventless fireplace expert. She has written such great reports as DIY Outdoor Fireplaces, Fireplace Ideas Report, and DIY Fireplace. Visit Ventless Gel Fuel Fireplace to learn more.