How to Build a Shaker Fireplace Mantel and Surround – Woodworking

September 19, 2025
Posted by Philip Miller
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How To Build A Shaker Fireplace Surround

DIFFICULTY: Intermediate

The center of any living room should be the fireplace. This is a special place in the house because it brings people together. I have wonderful memories of the fireplace that was in my house as a kid growing up in Georgia. We were lucky and had a real wood working fireplace. Not many fireplaces these days are wood burning, most of them use natural gas. The fireplace I grew up with was always a special place full of great memories and laughter. Now that I have my own home I decided to build my fireplace surround based on the classic Shaker Style, clean, simple and timeless.

I have provided plans for you to download if you want to build this fireplace for your home.

DOWNLOAD THE PLANS

📝 MATERIALS LIST

WOOD	QUANTITY	DETAILS/LINKS
1”x3”x6” Select Pine	7	Select Pine is okay, Poplar is best https://homedepot.sjv.io/1AyWR
1”x4”x6” Select Pine	4	Select Pine is okay, Poplar best https://homedepot.sjv.io/ZWLyq
Molding Cove 9/16”x3.5”	10ft	This is not at your local hardware store https://www.owlhardwood.com/mouldings.html
2”x4”x8” Pine	1	Framing lumber https://homedepot.sjv.io/xMjkA
1”x6”x6” Select Pine	1	Select Pine https://homedepot.sjv.io/AqjbJ
2”x10”x96” Poplar	1	4/4 (true 1in thick) Poplar board is best however if you can’t find it a standard 2”x10” will work https://www.owlhardwood.com/domestic-lumber.html
1/4”x24”x48” MDF	1	MDF board https://homedepot.sjv.io/rADNy
1/2”x3x36”	1	S4S Polar Board https://homedepot.sjv.io/R4nqa

🧰 TOOLS

⭕ MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

MISCELLANEOUS	QUANTITY	DETAILS/LINKS
Titebond 3	1	The best wood glue https://amzn.to/3dyUEXo
1” 1/4” Screws	25	Kreg Jig 1” 1/4” pan-head coarse screws https://amzn.to/3aMDxQd
1” 1/4” Brad Nails	1	Box of brad nails https://amzn.to/2ygWw7j
3/4” Brad Nails	1	Box of brad nails https://amzn.to/2vXUPe6
2” 1/2” Wood Screws	1	Box of wood screws http://amzn.to/1SZAQfN
3” Wood Screws	1	Box of wood screws https://amzn.to/39Za0DU
220 grit sandpaper	1	Pack https://amzn.to/33SfEnu
Thin Set Mortar	1	White Thin Set Mortar http://amzn.to/23p73FA
Grout	1	White Grout http://amzn.to/1NkKAwL
Ultraset SF	1	Ultraset SF for covering the metal so your tile can stick – https://bit.ly/39W1TaS
Liquid Nails	1	Liquid Nails (Optional) https://amzn.to/3iCvE4K
Carrara White Marble	10	Carrara White Marble 12×12 sheets – http://amzn.to/1YpJyFH
Caulk	2	DAP Caulk White https://amzn.to/2UlWHXq
Wood Putty	1	32oz DAP Plastic Wood Putty https://amzn.to/33NNPwQ
White Paint	1	1gal White Urethane Paint http://bit.ly/3skvDa0
Tile Spacers	1	1/8 Inches Wide Tile Spacers https://amzn.to/3c4afQF

Instructions

How to build a shaker fireplace surround. Please note this is a basic instruction how to for a more detailed version be sure to download the plans.

DOWNLOAD THE PLANS

Step 1

Watch the video and download the blueprints.

Step 2

First, lay your tile. This was probably the most challenging part of the build. The one thing you need to keep in mind when laying tile around a fireplace is that the walls and surround are going to get very hot. The heat from the wood or gas burning fireplace release a lot of thermal heat into the room and surrounding walls where the fireplace is installed.

The other thing you need to remember is that you cannot lay tile over metal without some type of membrane. The reason is that the mortar can’t adhere to metal it will just slide off or dray and crack. I did a lot of research and came across a great product Ultraset SF by Bostik. You can purchase Ultraset SF online or your local tile dealer may be able to order it for you. This stuff worked great and did the job. I didn’t realize how sticky it would be. It has the consistency of thick putty or really sticky chewing gum. I recommend you use gloves before even opening the case. If you get this stuff on your hands won’t be able to get it off easily, trust me I learned the hard way. I would purchase the G & F 3100 Knit Glove with Textured Latex Coating from Amazon, you will be glad you did. This will give you the textile feedback you need to get the job done and won’t break down or fall apart if the Ultaset happens to get on them.

Step 3

Cut your material to size. If you don’t have all the tools to cut down your material, most hardware stores will pre-cut it for you.

Step 4

Drill your pocket holes.

Step 5

Glue and assemble your fireplace surround.

Step 6

Attach the surround to the wall by installing 2×3 blocks of wood to the drywall. I used liquid nails and screws. You can see by the picture that the 2×3 blocks of wood are screwed into the drywall and that I then placed the boxes I made over the blocks to hold them in place. Once the boxes were in place I simply used my nail gun and nailed them to the block of wood.

Step 7

Next I installed my fireplace mantel top

Step 8

Before you paint your surround you will need to caulk and wood putty and cracks or holes. Be sure to sand everything smooth.

Step 9

I painted my fireplace white. I recommend using an enamel based paint. This is much more durable than acrylic based paint.

The Built-ins and Bookshelves

After I finished building my fireplace surround I then began working on the build-ins on either side of the fireplace. I continued the shaker look and feel thought the design of the cabinets and bookshelves.