Hey Guys,
I have a firplace that i’m building a mantle for, the fireplace is all tumbled marble. It has three brackets which are finished in tumbled marble also. What is the proper way to attach the wood mantle (crown and 1x) to the tiled supports? The supports are tiled on all sides, I’m not sure of the best way to install the mantle. The mantle is roughly 4″ thick by 6′. I always learn something new here, thanks guys.
Mick
Replies
It has three brackets which are finished in tumbled marble Is there any wood visible in the brackets? Or are they solid marble? Got a picture?
No wood visible at all. All four sides tiled. Flat on top, sides and bottom.
Mick
is the top of the bracket going to be covered by the mantle?
If it is and there is grout joint on the top that will not be visible after the mantle is instaled you could scrape the grout out from one of the joints and see if there is wood under it
The bracket will be covered by the mantle, but the tile is one full piece on top, no grout joint.
Mick
Remove the top piece of tile possibly?
Any chance you can get a picture of what your talking about?
mick, don't know for sure if this answers your question but I just finished my third granite fireplace surround and I installed them with PL construction adhesive. Used some 2x4s and masking tape to hold in place until the adhesive set,(24 hours).
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Don't ever do that again, Harry.
Why not?
heat
gotcha!
Qtrmeg, tell me more about that heat problem. Two of them were completed approx. five years ago and have not been a problem. The one I just completed last month is in my own house and while the granite gets warm it doesn't move. Anyway I just e-mailed OSI to get their input on this and I'll post their answer here as soon as I get it.Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Wiley, the last one was built with a raised hearth for seating and is 18" high which seems comfortable. It extends 16" out from the fireplace. 3' across the front with 1' 45s back to the wall so the hearth at the wall is a total of 5' which is the total width of the fireplace and surround. hope this helps.
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Wiley,
Measure your favourite chair
Wiley, sounds like you're on the right track for framing your raised hearth. By the way I e-mailed OSI (PL construction adhesive) last night and their tech rep called me today. He said that it's a very common use for the PL to be used on stone fireplace surrounds. The adhesive is rated to 400 degrees farenheit. Above that temp. the adhesive begins to crystalize. While the front of a gas fireplace gets hot it certainly doesn't approach 400. So I stand by what I said last night. Use the pl to attach your mantle. It's easy, very strong when cured, and will withstand the heat.
good luck on completion.
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
the pl or what ever const adhesive would probably ghost thru marble.
same reason you shouldn't use plumbers putty on marble or cultured marble sinks.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff, what do you mean by "ghost thru the marble"?
thinking it may bleed thru after time it the marble's light enough to show it.
where the darker color of the adhesive is absorbed and leached from the bottom surcafe to the top...where the adhesive lines would "appear".
Plumbers putty can discolor cultured marble when used to set the fixtures. That's why cultured marble will say to use silicone...and I use clear for that same reason.
Not postive that would happen in this case....but I'd make sure first.
it can happen to the point that "white" thinset is perfered for lighter color tils and grouts..as opposed the the standard "grey".
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
Jeff, OSI's web site is http://www.stickwithpl.com they could answer the ghosting question. I didn't think to ask that question today when the rep called me.Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Wiley, I put the granite on the metal front of the fireplace. Top, bottom, and both sides. That way there's only 1" to 2" of the metal showing all around. Beyond the metal is a 6" surround of granite showing then the mantle on top,built out pilasters on either side, and the granite hearth(top only) the front of the raised hearth is
sheetrock painted same color as wall. Since the fireplace is 0 clearance the hole in the wall that the fireplace is in is only 1" clearance all way around therefore no wonderboard was required. Hope you can understand this. Good luck tomorrow and if you have other questions let me know.
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island