The crackling sound, incredible warmth, and visual appeal of a real wood fire in a masonry fireplace creates an inviting atmosphere, enhancing the overall ambiance of your living space.  

Finished with brick, stone, or tile, masonry fireplaces serve as classic, timeless focal points that add incredible value to your home. From the choice of materials to the design of the mantel and hearth, they can be customized to reflect your personal style and architectural preferences.  

Use this guide to learn how to create your own masonry fireplace. Find out what materials you’ll need, what the assembly process looks like, and how you can simplify your project with Isokern pre-engineered fireplace kits.  

Table of Contents

• Masonry Fireplace Benefits
• Tools & Supplies
• Planning
• Foundation
• Firebox
• Ventilation
• Chimney
• Finishing Materials
• Safety
• What Are Isokern Fireplaces?
• Isokern Features
• Isokern Fireplace Styles

Durability: Masonry fireplaces are designed to last, often outliving prefabricated metal fireplaces. They can also withstand very high temperatures and heavy use, making them ideal for areas that experience harsh winter seasons.  

Customization: You can finish your masonry fireplace with a variety of different materials to match your home design. The most popular materials include brick concrete, tile, and stone. For a more affordable solution, consider brick or stone veneers.  

Heat Efficiency: Masonry fireplaces radiate heat efficiently and evenly throughout your entire space, providing consistent comfort.  

Before you get started, you’ll need to gather a few supplies to assemble your DIY masonry fireplace. The tools and materials you need include:  

• Firebrick 
• Mortar mix 
• Concrete blocks 
• Steel reinforcement bars 
• Fireplace damper 
• Chimney flue liner 
• Angle iron 
• Trowel  
• Level 
• Shovel 
• Tape measure 
• Safety gear (gloves, goggles, dust mask)  

Before you start building, plan the location and size of your fireplace. Consider factors such as the size of the room, ventilation requirements, and style preferences.  

You may also need to obtain certain permits to ensure your fireplace design complies with local building codes. Be sure to check your local regulations regarding fire features. 

A strong foundation is essential for supporting the weight of your fireplace. First, you’ll need to excavate the area. Dig a hole for the foundation that is at least 12 inches deep and extends beyond the planned dimensions of the fireplace. 

Next, fill the hole with concrete, adding rebar for reinforcement. Allow the concrete to cure for at least 24 hours. 

The firebox is the section where the fire burns. It must be made of firebrick to withstand high temperatures without cracking.  

Using a trowel, apply a layer of mortar and begin placing your firebrick in a U-shaped pattern. Make sure each brick is level, and the joints are sealed tight.  

Continue to build up the walls of your firebox in a U-shape, using a level to ensure the walls are straight.  

The smoke chamber guides smoke into the chimney and reduces backdraft. The damper is a small, manually operated door-like mechanism made of metal or ceramic that sits inside the chimney to control airflow.  

Above your firebox, build a tapered structure using bricks and mortar. This will funnel smoke into the chimney. Place the damper at the top of the firebox, ensuring it fits snugly and opens smoothly.  

A chimney allows all the smoke created by your fireplace to exit the space safely.  

Install a chimney flue liner on top of the smoke chamber to protect the masonry and improve draft.  

To build the chimney walls, surround your flue liner with bricks or concrete blocks, using mortar to secure them in place. Reinforce your chimney with rebar for added stability.  

Finish the top of your chimney with a cap to prevent rain and debris from entering the fireplace. 

Complete the exterior of your fireplace with your choice of finishing materials, such as brick, stone, stucco, or tile to match your home decor.  

Before using your new masonry fireplace, we recommend hiring a local licensed professional to make sure it meets safety standards and operates properly. They’ll inspect all the parts of your fireplace, offering troubleshooting tips as necessary.  

Earthcore, the manufacturer of Isokern fireplaces, originated in Iceland and has become renowned for its high-quality, modular fireplace systems.  

The company’s innovative designs use pure volcanic pumice extracted from Iceland’s Mt. Hekla volcano for superior insulation, durability, and ease of installation. Earthcore has exclusive rights to mine this high-grade material from a 25-mile-long volcanic fissure and the volcano itself, which rises to a height of 5,000 feet. 

Modular Design: Isokern fireplaces are pre-engineered modular kits that include all the materials you need for your project. This reduces installation time, cost, and complexity, so you can complete your new fireplace ASAP.  

High-Quality Materials: Volcanic pumice is a natural insulator, allowing Isokern fireplaces to reflect heat into the room while preventing heat loss. The material allows flue gases to heat up faster and burn cleaner, boosting your fireplace’s efficiency and safety. Pumice is also lightweight, making the assembly process much easier.  

Total Customization: You can tailor your Isokern Fireplace to your space and style preferences. It’s safe to use custom finishing materials, like tiles and natural stone, to create a unique, cohesive look that ties into your home.  

We’re Here to Help  

Do you need help with your DIY fireplace? Our NFI-Certified experts are here to answer all your questions! We’ll guide you through your project from start to finish. Connect with an expert today at 800.919.1904.  

More Resources: 

Follow this step-by-step maintenance guide to keep your wood fireplace in perfect condition.  

Find out how adding a fireplace can increase your home’s value and appeal. 

Learn how to properly inspect your masonry chimney to ensure your fireplace works safely.