Who doesn’t love snuggling up on the lounge in winter with a warm fire burning? If a traditional fireplace isn’t possible in your home, the next best thing is a DIY fireplace wall with an electric fire.
In this DIY, Adam Dovile shows how easy it is to install a firewall wall with a decorative chimney to fit your electric fire.
Gather your supplies
- 70 x 35mm framing untreated pine 5.4m (4)
- 92 x 18mm x 5.4m primed pine moulding
- 66 x 18mm x 5.4m primed pine moulding
- 31 x 11mm x 5.4m primed pine moulding
- Dulux 1 Step Prep primer and undercoat
- Contour gauge
- Packing shims
- 100mm bugle screws
- Toggle anchors
- MDF panel 2400 x 1220 x 12mm (4)
- PVA wood glue
- Selleys Liquid Nails
- Multipurpose filler
- Decorator’s caulk
- Paint for chimney and wainscoting
- Brad nail gun with angled brad nails
- Wallpaper smoother
- Wallpaper paste
You’ll also need
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Combination square
- Mitre saw
- Circular saw, guide and clamps
- Rollers
- Paintbrush
- Stud finder
- Multi-tool with a saw blade
- Long level
- Safety glasses
- Ear protection
- Chisel
- Claw hammer
- Drill
- 5mm drill bit
- Impact driver
- Jigsaw
- Spacers (scrap wood cut to 336mm)
- Sander
- 120-grit sandpaper
- Vacuum
- Ladder
- Glue gun
- Bucket
- Utility knife
- Scissors
For you to note
- Before you start, measure entire wall and consider chimney position and size. Take care with electric fire cavity to ensure your measurements are accurate. Measure twice and cut once! For an electric heater, consider location of electric points and utilise in or near the chimney if you can. Sketch a plan for the layout of chimney, alcove and electric points. Book an electrician to install electric points if required.
- For easy transportation and to minimise cutting, most timber suppliers will cut to size for free or a nominal cost. Provide the cut list when you buy the timber and simplify the job.
- Hire a brad nailer from your local hardware store to make your build fast and easy. For masonry walls, install your chimney using a hammer drill and masonry anchors.
How to make a DIY fireplace wall
STEP 1
Check the Components list and Chimney diagram (below), then measure, mark, and cut chimney components with a tape measure, pencil, square, and mitre saw. Cut MDF panels with a circular saw, guide, and clamp. Apply primer to all MDF panels. Allow to dry.
STEP 2
Assemble chimney Face frame components on a flat, even surface. Use a brad gun to attach top and bottom plates to studs, then through studs into the noggings. Repeat the method for chimney Side frames.
STEP 3
Determine position of fireplace then use a long level and pencil to mark lines on wall 1200mm apart.
STEP 4
To prepare the wall, remove skirting with chisel and claw hammer. Position the Side frame along the inside of the wall stud line. With a multi-tool cutter, mark and cut
away the picture rail (if applicable) so the side frame is flush with the wall. Repeat for the other side frame.
Chimney diagram
STEP 5
To secure side frames to the wall, predrill through the rear stud and into the wall. Adjust till plumb with level and shims, pack between wall and stud with shims as required. Insert toggle anchors, and then tighten them with an impact driver. Repeat for the other side frame.
STEP 6
With an extra pair of hands, position the chimney Face frame between the side frames. Square up corners, then clamp to side frames.
STEP 7
To complete the assembly of the chimney frame, predrill equally spaced holes through the Face studs and into the Side studs. Insert 100mm screws and tighten with an impact driver.
STEP 8
Use a contour gauge to trace the coving profile onto the Chimney side panel. Cut to fit with a jigsaw, then check everything fits in position. If the wall is out of plumb, scribe the panel with a contour gauge, then cut with a jigsaw.
STEP 9
Working one panel at a time, apply liquid nails to chimney framing and PVA for MDF joins. Attach all panels then secure with brads.
STEP 10
Fill nail holes, and panel joins with filler and scraper. Allow to dry, then sand-filled areas with a sander and 120-grit paper. Vacuum away dust, then apply 2 coats of water-based paint in your colour choice. Allow to dry after each coat.
STEP 11
With an extra pair of hands, slide the fireplace into the cavity. Secure into studs with screws provided. Refer to electric fire assembly instructions.
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