I don’t think I have had more requests for a tutorial than my DIY faux wood log fireplace screen. I personally can’t stand the ugly black void of my fireplace when it is not in use. And here in Austin, it rarely gets used. I love the look of the wood fireplaces stacked to the brim with wood, but that is also not feasible if you actually want to use your fireplace. Which we do, on occassion. So I did the next best thing and made a faux wood log screen that can cover the fireplace when not in use, but is easily removed for when we do want to have a fire.

The process to make it was really quite simple. All you need is a chop saw and wood glue.

Materials for DIY Faux Wood Log Fireplace Screen:

-Chop saw
-Birch wood logs (or another light wood)
–Wood glue
-1/4″ brich plywood (you can get this at the home improvement store)
–Dark walnut wood stain

Begin by measuring your fireplace opening. Cut your plywood to this size or take your measurements to the home improvement store and have them cut it for you. I had my husband use our circular saw to cut it. Once you have the plywood cut, use the dark walnut wood stain to stain the plywood. I found that an old sock works really well!

Once stained, cut your birchwood logs into 1″ thick slices using your chop saw. Then arrange the slices on the plywood and glue down. If you are using fresh wood and not the craft variety found at the craft store, you may want to bake your wood for 20-30 minutes at 250F to kill any bugs living inside.

Once the wood glue is dry, your screen is ready to use. Just prop it up onto your fireplace opening. My screen actually sits on the floor so that it can fit over the entire opening, If you have an elevated opening, you may want to find a way to secure the screen so that it doesn’t fall out of the opening.

As you can see, it is really quite simple as long as you have the tools and can find the wood!