- Purchase drywall compound, foam boards, and metal mesh from a local hardware store or home improvement center.
- Cover the entire wall of your chimney with drywall compound.
- Secure the compound to the wall using screws or nails.
- Insulate and reinforce your wall with foam boards.
- Install metal mesh inside your chimney.
It was a chilly autumn day and I was in my workshop in the basement, working on a new project. I had just finished putting up a new wall and was getting ready to start on the fireplace when I heard a knock at the door.
I went upstairs to answer it and found my neighbor, Jim, on the doorstep.
“Hey, Tom,” he said. “I’ve been meaning to ask you about something. I saw you working on your basement and I was wondering if you were going to drywall your fireplace.”
I told him that I had been thinking about it and that I was going to start on it later that day.
“That’s a good idea,” he said. “Drywalling your fireplace will not only make it look nicer, but it will also make it safer. The drywall will keep the heat from spreading throughout the house and it will also protect the walls from the heat of the fire.”
He was right, of course. I had been thinking about getting a nice coat of paint for the fireplace, but now that he had mentioned it, I decided that maybe a coat of drywall would be even better.
I went back downstairs and got to work. It was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated, but after a few hours of hard work, I had finished. The fireplace looked great! Not only that, but it was also much safer than before.
Did this really happen? No, but it could have!
In this article, we will explore three popular methods of covering fireplaces: drywall compound, foam boards, and metal mesh. We will also provide tips on how to install each material for a watertight seal.
If you are searching for ways to cover your fireplace, using drywall is one of the most efficient and effective solutions. Here is a guide on how to cover fireplaces with drywall.
Contents
How it works
- You will need to prepare your fireplace properly for drywalling it.
- The first step is removing the old fireplace covering.
- Next, you will cover the sides and back of your fireplace with a layer of drywall compound, allowing it to completely harden before you start work. Covering the top of your fireplace may require additional reinforcement if you plan on using a different type of material than drywall compound to protect your new fireproofing material.
- After allowing the previous drywall layer to cure completely, you will apply a second layer of drywall. Your goal this time will be to cover your entire fireplace, including the arch and surrounding sides.
- The final step is to cover the entire wall with a drywall compound and the top area of your fireplace that may or may not be reinforced with a different material.
- Finally, you can add finishing touches, such as paint and decorative pieces.
Drywall Compound for Fireproofing
You will need about 10 pounds of drywall compound to cover the entirety of your fireplace. You can buy this in your local paint and hardware store. If you do not have access to this material, there are commercially available fireproofing compounds explicitly designed to cover fireplaces.
The first step to covering your fireplace with drywall is to measure the inside of the chimney. You will then start by cutting the 4×8 sheets of drywall measured per your measurements and apply drywall compound over the whole wall, including around it.
Here’s a great guide from Home Depot about using drywall effectively.
You can reinforce this layer with a fireproofing material of your choice or even metal sheets if your chimney is large enough.
Once you apply your first layer, allow it to cure completely. You can let the second layer dry for about five days, but add another coat if the first layer does not completely harden.
After about a week of curing, you can apply the third, final coat of your fireproofing material. You must wait a day before covering the fireplace area with drywall.
Make sure that your finished article is watertight! Water seeping through the chimney will cause significant problems later on.
Covering Fireplaces
Covering fireplaces is extremely easy and a relatively inexpensive process. All you need are basic materials and tools that you can find at a local hardware store or home improvement centre.
Materials You Will Need
Drywall compound
(This covers the entire wall of your chimney, regardless of the material surrounding it. The combination is secured to the wall using screws or nails. It is necessary to use the compound to ensure that the finished article is watertight.) You will need about 10 lbs. of drywall compound.
Foam boards
(These are used as a backup and a means of insulation. Their purpose is to insulate and reinforce your wall so that it can withstand temperatures reaching around 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Metal mesh
(This is used as another backup and a means of insulation. It is used inside your chimney so that hot air will not be able to hit your walls.)
Installation tools
(This includes screws and nails but does not include a drill.)
Conclusion
To conclude, covering your fireplace with drywall is one of the most efficient and effective ways to improve the overall look of your chimney.
Hi, my name’s Eugene Duke and I love sitting by my fireplace reading a book and sipping on an adult beverage. Do you have a fireplace in your house? I’ll help you figure out the best type and style of fireplace for your home.
