This post is sponsored by Hearth & Home Technologies.
In my home growing up, we had a large stone fireplace in our finished basement. The warmth of a fire and the look of stone surrounding it, has always been nostalgic to me. So when I started planning our basement renovation, I knew adding an electric fireplace would be the first project on the list.
Electric Fireplace
When selecting an electric fireplace, I still wanted it to appear as traditional as possible. While SimpliFire has a wide variety of options, I was initially drawn to the Built-In or Electric options. Because I was building the framing and surround and didn’t have a current fireplace – I selected the Built-In Model in the 36” size.
I love the look of the faux brick and all of the features that come with this model. You are able to control the temperature and flame intensity with the convenience of a few clicks. There are two options in terms of heat intensity – 120 volt and 240 volt. I wanted the ability to set it at the higher voltage so opted to have the fireplace hardwired by an electrician.
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Framing
Before starting the framing, I removed the carpet squares on the floor (I’ll be installing LVP wood flooring in the new year). I then began planning the dimensions of the entire build. Starting with the fireplace measurements (36 in wide), then determined how I wanted the surround to look. After playing with scrap wood, I decided the surround would be 7 inches wide, then an additional 10 inches for stone. Landing on 6 ft wide, 7ft tall, and 16 inches deep (the insert itself is 12 in deep).
When it came to actually building the structure, I did a bit research on YouTube and found this video, most helpful. First installed three 2x4s horizontally, connecting to each stud. Then build the side pieces by creating a large rectangle then adding supports in the middle. Once those were built, I lifted them into place and attached them to the back horizontal supports. After they were placed, I began building out the remaining framing around the fireplace and then connected to the ceiling.
Fireplace Surround/Trim
After the sheetrock was installed, I began piecing together the fireplace surround. I wanted an additional element to the stone and felt that a thing wood surround would balance it well. The measurements of each piece are as follows: Inside trim – 1×3. Middle section – 1×6 (stacked for depth). Outer edge – 1×4. I preassembled everything, then secured it to the studs behind the sheetrock.
Stone
Hoping to have a stone fireplace I went to Facebook Marketplace to see if by happenstance I could find enough for our project. I was lucky enough to find a listing locally that was spot on the square-footage and for only $300! If I were to purchase these at full price it would have likely been over $1,000. At first, I was worried about some of the stones having an orange or red hue and planned to paint/stain them to reduce the vibrancy. After installation, the color has grown on me and I think I’m going to leave them for the time being. I’ll be sure to update this post if I decide to make that change! If you’re looking for more details on applying the stone, please see the ‘fireplace’ highlight on Instagram.
Over Grouting/Mortar
After seeing Chris Loves Julia over-grout their fireplace, I saved it for this exact project. I followed their tutorial almost to a T when it game to the grout/mortar lines. Their full tutorial is linked here. I used a large format mortar for the grout. Then purchased cement color mix in Charcoal and Buff. Similar to CLJ’s recommendation, I used 4 drops of buff and 3 drops of charcoal per six cups of mix. I found when I did only two drops of charcoal, it was a bit too orange/warm. I mixed to a thick soup consistency. I found the less stiff the mortar was, the easier it was to pipe. I drastically underestimated how much my forearms would hurt the next day!
After piping all of the mix into the grooves, I let it sit approximately two hours – sometimes a bit more. I then went in with a flat object and pressed all of the mortar flat. you can see the difference in the images above. In most areas, I tried to keep the grout flush with the surface of the stone. Afterwards, I used an old makeup brush in warm water to smooth everything out. If you can, try to keep as much residue off the surface of the stone (it will make it easier to clean in the next step. Then go back with a sponge and warm water to clean up any areas on the stone. I preferred a rougher look so was okay with grout/residue bing on the surface.
Cost Breakdown
- Fireplace Insert – $1,200
- Electrician Cost – $390
- Stone (Facebook Marketplace Find) – $300
- Framing – $120
- Cement/Mortar – $80
- Sheet Rock/Screws – $75
- Additional Tools – $40
Total Cost: $2,205
Supplies
Final product
Overall I’m so happy with the final product and very surprised at the impact it makes in the space. It feels traditional but also fresh. I look forward to finishing the ceiling and laying the vinyl flooring as phase two. If you try this project or have any questions – I’d love to hear from you!
