At Flintlock headquarters, we had always dreamed of having a fireplace in our home! We can see that there was a gas fireplace at some point in our home, however, it was removed at some point... much to our dismay.
This built out electric fireplace requires no structural changes, venting, or electrical work. It is as simple as building the frame and plugging in the fireplace. The buildout is 12” deep by 48” wide, not including the shelves on either side. If you want to try your hand at an easy DIY that will elevate and add value to your home, this is it!
Tools Required:
Miter Saw
Drill/Impact
Level
Speed Square
Air Compressor
Brad Nailer
Tape Measure
Quick Clamps
Stud Finder
Oscillating Tool
Jigsaw
Purchase List:
List Wood
Screws
Glue
Ikea Billy Bookcase
Ikea Billy Extension
Ship Lap
Quarter Round
Lattice Trim
Outside Corner
2 Tubes of white paintable interior caulking.
Cut List
* Be sure to verify all measurements for your home. Not all floors and ceilings are perfectly level.*
Side Frames:
(4) 2x4x93”
(2) 2x4x12”
(2) 2x4x9”
Front Frame:
Bottom Fireplace Box:
(2) 2x4x42”
(4) 2x4x9”
Fireplace Frame:
(2) 2x4x 18 3/4”
(1) 2x4x42”
Top Frame:
(1) 2x4x42”
(2) 2x4x72”
Trim:
(2) Quarter Round 96”
(2) Outside Corner 96”
(2) Lattice Trim 43”
(4) Lattice Trim 12”
(4) Lattice Trim 36”
Step 1: Measure and mark the dimensions.
After you have determined the perfect location on the wall for your new fireplace mark the 48” width of the frame on your wall and trim. Mark the location of your studs with a pencil. Using an oscillating tool, carefully cut out the trim along the floor and discard.
Step 2: Build the side frame.
Take the (2) 2x4x93” and the (2) 2x4x12” and build a rectangular box. The 12” pieces will make up your top and bottoms. Use a speed square to ensure the pieces are attached at a 90 degree angle. Use (2) 2 1/2 “ wood screws on each corner.
Next take the 2x4x9” and secure it approximately centered in the box. Ours are placed at about 48” from the top.
Repeat this step to create the left and right side of the buildout frame.
Step 3: Secure the frame to the wall and ceiling.
If you are lucky, the space of your frame will be right over a stud, and you can simply screw the frame directly to the wall with 5 or 6 screws spaced evenly from top to bottom. Secure the frame to the ceiling using 2 2 ½” screws.
If you chose a place without studs directly behind, just take a couple scrap 2x4’s and create a nailer. Secure the 2x4 scrap to the stud, then toe nail the frame to your nailer.
Another option that is a little messier and permanent, is to use construction adhesive and glue the frame to your wall. We chose not to do this method, and do not encourage it, as it is VERY permanent!
Step 4: Build bottom fireplace box.
We wanted our fireplace to be 12” off the ground, if you want the fireplace higher or lower, just adjust the middle support pieces to make your desired height.
Take the (2) 2x4x42” and the (2) 2x4x9” build a similar frame to the 2 side frames in step 2. The 42” pieces will be the tops and bottom, the 9” will be the sides. Attach these using (2) 2 ½” screws on the corners. Then place the remaining (2) 9” approximately 12” from either edge.
Step 5: Secure bottom frame to side frames.
This frame will fit between the two side frames. Secure to each other using (4) 2 1/2 “ screws.
Step 6: Fireplace insert size.
The spacing on this step is dictated by the size of your specific electric fireplace. Our measurements are based on the fireplace we purchased. We needed 33” wide and 18 ¾” tall for my fireplace insert. Set the 2x4x42 at 18 ¾” from the 2x4 below it and screwed it in place. Next take the (2) 2x4x18 ¾” and set them at 33” apart. Be sure to center this on the frame. Find the center point and measure over 16 ½” on either side. Secure the top and bottom of these board to the frame using (2) 2 ½” screws on the top and bottom. As you go, double check to make sure the fireplace will fit in the box you are creating.
Step 7: Secure the top frame.
Take the (1) 2x4x42 and attach to the top of the side frames using 2 2 ½” wood screws. Next take the (2) 2x4x72 and attach to the top of the fireplace frame. I used these to mount a small 36” tv onto, so be sure to evenly space these out on the frame and securely attach to the frame.. I set each of these at about 16” from the outside edge. Secure the tops and bottom to the frame using 2 ½” wood screws.
Step 8: Install the shiplap.
At this point the frame for the fireplace is complete. Before securing the fireplace to the frame or mounting a tv, the shiplap needs to be installed.
Note* Shiplap will only cover the front of the frame. The sides do not require shiplap, these will be covered with bookshelves. If you choose not to use bookshelves, you will need to account for shiplap on the sides.
Cut the shiplap to size to cover the face of the fireplace frame. (Field verify actual width of frame. If it is 48” wide, you can simply cut the 8FT shiplap boards directly in half. This will give you (2) 47 ⅞” boards). My boards were approximately 47 ⅞”. Start at the top, using a level to ensure the pieces would be installed as flat as possible. Attach shiplap to fireplace frame using 1 ½” finish nails. The ends do not have to perfectly match up on the sides.
Cut the shiplap to fit around the fireplace insert. I used a jigsaw for the cuts. These do not have to be perfectly straight either. They will be covered with the glass face of the fireplace.
Step 9: Complete buildout sides.
The sides of the buildout will be covered by the bookshelves. There is no need to spend the time installing shiplap that will not be seen. I installed a piece of shiplap vertically along the front edge of the frame. This will allow a nailer for the outside corner trim piece to attach to.
Step 10: Install trim.
Install 1 ¼” outside corner trim pieces vertically on the front sides of the buildout. This outside corner will cover any uneven cuts on the ship lap.
Install 47” (Field verify the lattice trim measurement) along the top and bottom face of the buildout. This will fit in between the outside corner pieces that were just attached.
Step 11: Install Billy bookcase and extension.
Assemble and install Billy bookcase along with the top shelf extension piece. If you have standard 8 FT ceilings the shelf should sit about 2 inches below the ceiling.
Step 12: Install bookcase trim
Once the bookshelf is in place, cut the quarter round to 96” and attach to the face of the shelf closest to the fireplace. This will create a transition from the fireplace to the shelf, giving the look of built in shelving.
The lattice trim will be nailed to each other creating an L shape. Attach the pieces using 1” finish nails. This will create enough space to cover the gap between the top of the shelf and the ceiling.
Attach the L shaped trim to the sides of the shelf first. Then field verify the length of the face trim needed. Be sure the pieces match up to the side trim piece already installed. Attach the front trim piece to the face of the book shelf.
Step 13: Caulk and paint.
Caulk all areas where there are gaps between the trim and fireplace. Paint shiplap and trim.
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