Remodel Fireplaces With Sheetrock
Homeowners often choose to cover fireplace surrounds with gypsum drywall, commonly referred to as "sheetrock." For some homeowners, it is an inexpensive way to hide brick or stone fireplaces that are in disrepair. For others, the overall style of the room calls for the smooth, flat and paintable surface that sheetrock offers. Whatever your reason, remodeling with sheetrock is an easy way to quickly and completely alter the look of your fireplace surround. Before undertaking this project, verify that your local building codes permit fireplace modifications such as these.
Instructions
1. Determine what kind of screws will work with your fireplace. If your fireplace is brick or stone, you will need masonry or concrete screws. If it is plywood or paneling, you can use regular drywall screws. Use screws that are long enough to penetrate your fireplace surround about an inch, but not much further. You don't want to risk puncturing the chimney or any other fireplace hardware.
2. Attach wood furring strips to the fireplace using the appropriate screws and a screw gun. Install one furring strip about every 24 inches. For brick fireplaces, insert the screws into the mortar areas between the bricks. This will prevent unnecessary damage to the bricks.
3. Measure and cut to size the sheetrock that will cover the fireplace surround. Use a utility knife to score the sheetrock. Then snap off the excess by pulling it sharply.
4. Apply construction adhesive to the wood furring strips. Run several lines of adhesive along the length of the furring strips. Then place a few dabs of adhesive on any bare spots.
5. Attach the sheetrock to the furring strips using 1-inch drywall screws (longer screws may pass through the furring strip and unnecessarily damage the underlying fireplace surround). Install at least one screw every 4 to 6 inches along the length of each wood furring strip.
6. Finish the sheetrock with joint compound. Use drywall tools to cover each joint where two pieces of sheetrock meet with joint compound. Then place a piece of paper drywall tape over the joint. Wipe the paper tape with a flat tool, such as a 6-inch drywall knife. Allow your work to dry.
7. Cover the taped joints with a thick coat of joint compound. Allow everything to dry.
8. Sand the finished sheetrock with 100-grit sandpaper before priming and painting.
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