Ok, I DID IT! Finally, our first home project and my first DIY project! Yes, first. I have painted a few rooms in my days, but I don’t count that as DIY. I follow many home DIY accounts on Instagram and have witnessed many of Sarah’s DIY projects; I just never thought I had it in me to do it! I am pretty impatient, and I doubt the process too much.
BUT Sarah’s determination is contagious. She doesn’t hesitate with what she envisions. She goes for it and makes it happen. I admire this so much about her.
I knew exactly what I wanted to do first. Our fireplace!
When we moved in, I knew immediately I wanted to do something to our fireplace. The previous owners painted the original brick white and left the grout lines. The grout was too harsh and made it look tiled. It was much too perfect looking.
Sarah suggested using SureCrete. Sarah had never used a concrete overlay before (and obv I hadn’t either), so we watched some tutorials online and decided we would give it a try! It would have taken forever to order online, so I contacted a concrete dealer, and he directed us to a similar product called Flex-C-Ment. He also gave us a premixed, unlabeled primer in a half-gallon lemonade bottle, haha, so not sure exactly what it was. This primer would work the same.
With 3 people, we completed this project in about 2.5 hours!
supplies
1 1/2 bags of Flex-C-Ment
primer
plastic drop cloths
painters tape
5-gallon bucket
paint roller
paint pan
drywall knife and trowel
drywall mud pan
steel spiral mixing arm (drill attachment)
step 1
prepare your area: use plastic drop cloths to cover the floors and painter’s tape around the area you cover with the cement mix.
step 2
With the paint roller, prime the whole area you will be covering.
step 3
Mix the Flex-C-Ment. We used a laundry bucket and mixed it with a steel spiral mixing arm attached to a drill. A 5-gallon bucket works just as well. Add water gradually to create a consistency somewhere between pancake batter and peanut butter.
step 4
Use a drywall knife to put the mixed Flex-C0-Ment into a drywall mud pan. Scoop the mixture out with your drywall knife and spread it onto the surface. To create texture, fan the mix. There is no perfect way to do this, and that really is what is special about it!
photo on left is 1 hour after
photo on right is 1 week after
step 5
Let it be, and let it cure! Be aware as it cures; it will start to lighten and appear blotchy. I woke up the morning after and texted Sarah terrified. Some spots will be lighter than others until the whole thing is dried. It takes a few days!
step 6
Wait a month or two to seal it. We used this concrete sealer.
We are sooo happy with how it turned out! It is my favorite part of our house 🙂
Stay tuned for the whole room!
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How did you seal this fireplace and are you still happy? Could this be done over drywall?
Look into Roman clay!
It doesn’t need to be sealed. I haven’t done it over drywall but second Katy’s response. Roman clay gives the look of this and is less of a hullabaloo to apply and goes over drywall.
Does the brick need to be super smooth? If you have crack n the brick or holes what will happen?
No it doesn’t have to be smooth at all. The cement just fills in the cracks. I did this over a cinder block wall as well since this post and there were tons of holes. Just takes a bit more of the cement.
Can you paint over the cement once it’s dry?
Yes!
Where did you purchase your Flex-C-ment? I have not been able to locate a dealer in the US?
I would love to have the list of supplies that you used!
Hi Joan! Here is the list of supplies from the post:
1 1/2 bags of Flex-C-Ment
primer
plastic drop cloths
painters tape
5-gallon bucket
paint roller
paint pan
drywall knife and trowel
drywall mud pan
steel spiral mixing arm (drill attachment)
I have been waiting for this Paparticular pin right here!! I can wait to try tHis.. Ququestion how much makes per square footage?
Are you able to use this as a working fireplace?
Hi Alynn, yes!
[…] finish: how to change a brick fireplace into a cement one […]
Did the colo turn out cement grey? It looks more Cream/off whi in the pictures
Hi Sherri! It is not cement grey. It is a light stone grey!
What is the pRiMer you used? The link is not woRking. Thank you!
Hi Sara, https://www.stampedconcretesupplies.com/product/triple-bond-7-primer/
If you want even paler/close to white concrete finish, I used white feather finish from Amazon – 1 bag made about 2 1/2 coats and it is gorgeous!
It is the only one I have seen to go very close to white/ivory. just scraped on old fireplace wall with no prep or primer.
Elizabeth
Hey elizabeth! Thanks for sharing you used a product from amazon! So very helpful as I’ve been looking for something close to the flex-c-ment! Do you by any chance have any photos or updates on how it’s holding up?
Hi – have you subsequently had any issues with cracks?
Thanks!
Hi Cynthia, not at all!
Hi! I cannot seem to locate the flex-C-Ment or the surecrete. Do you have any insight on how or where to PURCHASE it in the US? Thank you!!
hi Audrey,
check it out here:
https://store.concreteexchange.com/products/suretex-concrete-overlay?variant=28717461504074¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpshopify_US_3698826510410_28717461504074&sc_intid=shopify_US_3698826510410_28717461504074&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIio7xmr6i_wIVlvvjBx1I8QDzEAQYAyABEgLBB_D_BwE
Love the texture and how it turned out! By chance do you know if you can personalize the color of the concrete? I am wanting a similar look but would love a warmer tone!
Hi abby!
Yes, you can paint over the concrete any color you’d like. Or you can add something like this to the concrete mix https://store.concreteexchange.com/products/surecrete-concrete-color-pack
This looks amazing! are the edges/corners fairly straight and even? we are planning on doing this to our fireplace that is totally open so all 4 corners are visibile and I am torn between applying directly to the brick or installing concrete board first. Thanks!
hi Carrie,
Yes the edges are straight, but the organic look of the concrete isn’t going to be perfect.
Can these materials be used outside?
Hi Ann, most can but it depends on which one you are talking about. Is there a specific one you have in mind?
Hi!
Your fireplace is beautiful. You have inspired me to do this to our fireplace in new/old home we just purchased. I am having a difficult time finding the Flex c ment, would you mind providing the link?
Thank you so much!
Leia
Hi Leia,
Here it is: https://store.concreteexchange.com/products/suretex-concrete-overlay?variant=28717461504074¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=&scid=scplpshopify_US_3698826510410_28717461504074&sc_intid=shopify_US_3698826510410_28717461504074&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIio7xmr6i_wIVlvvjBx1I8QDzEAQYAyABEgLBB_D_BwE
Finally! i’ve been LOOKING FOR THIS POST – THANK YOU! aLSO, WHERE IS THIS RUG FROM. I NEED IT IN MY LIFE!
Hi Angie!
Happy you found it, have fun! The rug is from my collection at lulu and georgia but is sadly no longer available. You can shop my other rugs here
Finally! i’ve been LOOKING FOR THIS POST – THANK YOU! aLSO, WHERE IS THIS RUG FROM. I NEED IT IN MY LIFE!
Would this work over a brick fireplace that has vents? Im assuming you would apply it around the slit vent just where the brick is.
Thx.
hi lisa, yes!