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Easy DIY fireplace hearth update with concrete skimcoat, so you can get a new look without demolition.
The houses in my neighborhood were built in the mid-1980’s. They still carry many telltale signs of that decade. And not necessarily in a good way.
Shortly after I moved in, I was chatting with a neighbor in my living room, and mentioned the ugly exposed aggregate concrete hearth. She told me they had the same thing in their house, and wasn’t it hideous.
I asked “What did you do about it?” And she said, “Nothing.”
For a few years, I didn’t really know what to do about it either. I couldn’t think of any inexpensive changes I could make that wouldn’t require major demolition.
Until one day, when I walked into a local concrete store.
I just walked up to the counter, and told them my dilemma. They pointed me to the concrete skimcoat, and now I have a clean, classic looking hearth.
Here’s how I did it (and the materials cost under $100).
Before Pictures: Old and Ugly Fireplace Hearth
My house has the slightly unique feature (for such a small and modern home) of having two fireplaces. One is in the living room, and the other is in the master bedroom. They’re both built with lovely red brick.
The only thing I didn’t like about the fireplaces were the hearths. They were made of exposed aggregate concrete (feels and looks like little pebbles).
Not only did the slab look outdated, but it always looked dirty. It was hard to get it really clean between the stones.
Applying a simple top coat of concrete skimcoat gave my outdated hearths a whole new look. (This is the same sort of product that can be used for concrete countertop updates.)
DIY FIREPLACE HEARTH UPDATE WITH CONCRETE
Materials
- Henry Feather Finish Patch & Skimcoat
- Concrete trowel tool
- Bucket for mixing
- Concrete sealer
- Paint brush
- Drop cloths
- Masking tape
Directions
1. Prepare the work area
First, it’s important to clean the hearth as much as possible. I put down a drop cloth, and then used a bucket of warm water and scrub brush to clean the aggregate stones.
I also applied masking tape along the front of my fireplace insert, to keep it clean.
2. Apply the concrete
Mix up the concrete skimcoat in a bucket, according to the package directions.
Apply the mixture to the hearth with a trowel. It’s kind of like icing a cake. Take your time, and smooth it on evenly over the entire surface, including the sides.
3. Seal the surface
When the skimcoat is dry, you may want to apply a sealant. I did this to mine to protect the surface from staining, but also to add a little shine.
Let the sealant dry. Then you are done. Yes, it’s that easy!
After Photos: DIY Concrete Hearth
This is how my concrete fireplace hearth turned out:
I think it looks absolutely gorgeous. It’s modern and minimalist. The hearth looks like it was always meant to be that way.
And the fact that I could update my hearth to look more modern for under $100 – and that the DIY project was so easy – is crazy to me!
Even better, there was no demolition involved. So often, making your own fireplace hearth might involve jack hammers, crow bars and lots of elbow grease. But not this fireplace makeover!
What a great improvement! The skim coat really updates the whole fireplace.
Thanks, Cindy! It really does make a huge difference.
I’ve been wondering forever on how to update my aggregate hearth from 1978 without removing it and putting in a slab of slate or granite. Finally an answer! Thank you so much.
So glad this was helpful to you Debra. Let us know how yours turns out!
I can’t find the tuff duck sealant. Would any sealant give the same affect?
Hi, Alicia. Yes, any concrete sealant should give the same effect. Look for a satin or semi-gloss sheen.
Thank you so much!!! I was quoted 600 to redo my fireplace and I decided to do airstone and this concrete hearth thanks to your blog. I’m gonna try it!!! I appreciate you getting back to me!
I’m so happy to hear that, Alicia! Let me know how it turns out!
How long did it take the concrete to dry?
I don’t remember exactly, but not terribly long, because it wasn’t a thick layer. Maybe several hours. I think I waited a few days before applying the sealant.
Also, how did you do the edge?
Rather than making a sharp or rounded corner, we just used the flat surface of the trowel to create an imperfect angled finish across the edge.
My hearth looks exactly like yours and I’m about to update it! Did you skin coat the sides first or the top? How difficult was it to get the top smooth & streak free? Thanks!
*skim coat
Can you tell me if the concrete cracks at all when you stand on it? Thanks!
My hearth is not one that you can stand on as it is elevated. So can’t say whether or not.
Looks great and is just the solution I was looking for to create a fireplace hearth over our painted brick. Do you recall if you used the 549? Also how many boxes did you end up using?
Thank you for your instructions! I have the same hearth and just finished my DIY with great results.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you had great results!
I just painted fire place and did my. Hearth in skim it looks great thank you
Thanks, Jill! If you wanted to send pictures of your update I’d be happy to add them to my post! Email to singlegirlsdiyinfo@gmail.com if you’d like!