How to Install Brick slips onto a Chimney Breast

One of the most frequently asked questions that our team get is: How to install brick slips onto a chimney breast?

As with most British households the chimney breast is a living room focal point and has been for hundreds of years.

Nothing works as well in a fireplace or on a chimney breast than real brick!

Installing real brick can be an issue especially when you are looking at re-cladding or ornamental features.

Installing brick slips around a fireplace will give the fireplace area that warm, traditional feel. Especially when you don’t want to add actual brick or rebuild the fireplace, brick slips are the perfect choice.

We have done countless how to guides on here but thought it being best to keep these things fresh:

How to install Brick slips onto a Chimney Breast

Here’s a brief guide on how to install brick slips onto a chimney breast:

1. Make sure the substrate and the wall surrounding the fire is structurally sound.
2. Remove any furniture paneling or mantel pieces from the wall and brush off any debris and dust.
3. Mix your rapid set adhesive and apply in small areas at the bottom of the chimney breast.
4. Attach you brick slips leaving 10mm mortar gaps using brick slip spacers.
5. Work up the chimney breast slowly applying slips a little at a time.
6. Using brick slip tile spacers, add brick slips to finish the courses until the fireplace wall is covered.
7. If you’re working with a large chimney breast area, make sure to cut edge slips and corners with a wet tile cutter. The wet saw will speed the cutting process.
8. Once fully dry you can point your chimney breast using either a gun injected mortar ( ornamental fire area  ) or a fire cement ( functional fire area ).
9. Clean off all grout from the bricks.

Tips and Pointers

One of the biggest tips we can give you when working to install brick slips onto a chimney breast is to use fire cement to point.

If you use fire cement they your chimney breast will be able to withstand the heat of a fire or a log burner. Even if your intentions are purely ornamental it is always worth pointing with a fire cement to future proof the installation.

Would you like to know more about our brick slips? Please just ask us!

We love to hear you questions and we love to help. Please get in touch if you require any assistance in planning your brick slip project.

Also, be sure to check our Help section which has answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.