I wanted a fireplace since forever. I grew up with one. I missed the glow and the calm. So I built one. In my small living room. With my own two hands, a lot of wood dust, and one very patient dog watching me measure things twice and still mess up once.
Here’s the thing—I didn’t build a wood-burning monster. I built a clean electric fireplace with a custom surround. It looks built-in. It throws heat. It fooled my aunt at Thanksgiving. She put her hands out like it was real wood. I laughed. Then I gave her the remote.
If you’re curious how someone else approached a similar project—from framing to first flames—take a look at this detailed DIY fireplace build for extra inspiration.
What I Built
- Insert: PuraFlame 33" recessed electric fireplace insert (1500W heater, fake logs, bright ember bed)
- Frame: 2×3 studs for the inner frame, 3/4" MDF for the face, 1×4 pine trim
- Mantel: Pine board, 1.5" thick, stained walnut
- Finish: Semi-matte white paint (Sherwin-Williams ProClassic), simple shaker trim
- Tile: 2×8 white ceramic subway tile on the hearth and inner surround
If you're curious about how the insert performs in lab testing, Consumer Reports did a thorough rundown of the PuraFlame 33" Western Electric Fireplace Insert that covers heat output, build quality, and noise levels.
Final size: 68" wide, 52" tall, 12.5" deep. The insert sits 5.5" off the floor. TV is 9" above the mantel. It balances, so your neck doesn’t hate you.
Power: I had an electrician add a dedicated 15A outlet inside the chase. He charged me $160 and got it done in under an hour. Worth it. If you're not comfortable with wiring, a quick call to the Service Center Team can connect you with a licensed pro who'll get it sorted fast and safe.
Tools I Actually Used
- Miter saw, brad nailer, drill/driver
- Stud finder, level, square, jigsaw (for the cord notch)
- Tile saw (borrowed), notched trowel, spacer clips
- Caulk gun, wood filler, sanding block
Could I have done it with less? Maybe. Would I have cried more? For sure.
The Build Story: The Mess and the Magic
I drew it out on a grocery bag first. It looked like a rectangle with dreams. Then I measured the wall and marked my studs. I built a simple box frame with 2x3s, screwed it to the studs, and left a pocket for the insert with 1/4" wiggle room. I also pulled a lot of design inspiration from Jenna Sue’s step-by-step guide on how to build an elegant electric fireplace—her trim details helped me nail the proportions of my surround.
I forgot the tile thickness on my first cut. So my face frame sat too far in. I had to shim the MDF 1/4" with paint sticks. Yes, paint sticks. Don’t judge. It worked.
I dry-fit the insert, checked clearances, and called the electrician. He added the outlet, tested the load, and told me to run the heater on its own circuit when possible. I nodded like I hadn’t already planned it.
Tiling was slow. Subway tile looks simple until you stare at the corner cuts. I used a ledger board to keep the first row straight. Spaced at 1/16". Grouted in warm gray. It made the white pop without looking too cold.
Painting took the longest. Two coats primer on the MDF. Two coats finish. Light sanding between. I caulked every seam with paintable caulk. That clean line? It’s like eyeliner for wood.
I slid the insert in, locked the tabs, and pressed power. The ember bed glowed and the fan hummed. My dog tilted his head like, “So… fire, but not fire?”
What It Cost Me (Real Numbers)
- PuraFlame 33" insert: $479
- Lumber and MDF: $110
- Tile, grout, thinset: $90
- Paint, primer, caulk: $35
- Screws, anchors, misc: $22
- Electrician: $160
- Brad nails, sandpaper, cups, tape: $18
Total: $914 and three long weekends. One weekend for the frame. One for tile. One for paint and trim. Dry times always win.
The Good Stuff
- It looks built-in. People ask who did it. I point at my dusty hat.
- The heat is real. It takes the chill off my 12×15 room. Not a furnace, but cozy.
- The remote is simple. Flame brightness, ember bed, timer, heat on/off.
- No smell, no ash, no chimney check. I can run it on “flame only” in July. I do. Don’t tell.
- TV height is comfy. No stiff neck, even on movie night.
The Not-So-Good
- The fan makes a soft whoosh. It’s not loud, but you hear it in a quiet room.
- The glass shows fingerprints. I wipe it with a microfiber cloth once a week.
- First run had a factory smell for about 20 minutes. It went away.
- Heat is zone heat. It won’t warm your whole house. It’s a room thing.
- If you need whole-house heating and cooling, a pair of DIY mini-split units might do the trick—here’s what actually happened when one homeowner installed two units.
Safety Notes I Actually Followed
- I kept the insert clearances from the manual. No stuffing insulation inside the chase.
- I used a dedicated circuit. A 1500W heater can trip a busy line.
- I left 12" between the heater vent and the bottom of the TV. No melted plastic, thanks.
- I anchored the frame to studs. Two screws per stud, top and bottom.
A Quick Detour: What I Tried Before
In my old apartment, I used a Real Flame gel-fuel fire bowl on the coffee table. It looked cool, cracked a little when lit, and gave a campfire vibe. But the cans add up and the smell is… a thing. For short bursts, fun. For every night, nope.
I also helped my sister install a Touchstone Sideline 50" in her den. Sleek, wider flame bed, more modern vibe. If you like a long, low look, that one’s sweet. Mine feels more “classic mantel.”
Tips I Wish I Knew
- Plan for tile thickness. Add 1/4" shims if you forget. Paint sticks work in a pinch.
- Prime MDF. Twice. It drinks paint like sweet tea in August.
- Use a ledger board for the first tile row. Gravity is not your friend.
- Test the insert in the box before paint. Heat can shift a tight fit.
- Put the outlet high in the chase so the cord hides clean.
- Seal up drafts first. A quick DIY spray-foam insulation kit can make any supplemental heater feel twice as effective—this review breaks down the pros, cons, and costs.
Six Months Later: Does It Still Make Me Smile?
Yes. I turn it on most nights. While I’m soaking in that faux hearth ambiance, I sometimes scroll through discovery tools like milfmaps to hunt for quirky neighborhood hangouts the internet hive mind swears are worth a visit—an easy way to plan a spontaneous outing once the embers dim. Flame only while I read. Heat on low when my feet feel cold. During December, I lined the mantel with cedar and little brass bells. It looked like a movie set. I’m not kidding—I took too many photos.
If you’re in North Dakota and hoping to share that warm glow with someone new, the Tryst Grand Forks directory offers a discreet collection of local profiles so you can line up the perfect fireside companion without spending an hour swiping.
Cleaning? Quick. Dust the mantel. Wipe the glass. Vacuum the base once a month. That’s it.
Who Should Build One
- Renters who can’t knock walls down? Try a freestanding surround with a plug-in insert.
- First-time DIY folks? If you can build a shelf, you can build this frame.
- Cold-natured types with chilly dens? It’s a win.
- Anyone already comfortable pouring their own countertops will find this fireplace framing a walk in the park—here’s a firsthand account of a DIY countertop adventure for motivation.
Final Take
I built this DIY fireplace for under a grand, and it