I’m about to start a project which will involve installing a gas insert in the masonry fireplace pictured below. The brick opening measures 39″ wide by 25″ tall. Problem is that I need 25 3/4 ” for the insert that I want (the next smaller size in height has a dramatically smaller viewable fire area). Also, I’m going to be refacing the whole thing in a stacked stone, and the soldier course around the perimeter of the current opening stands proud of the rest of the brick by about 1 1/4″, which would screw up the installation of the new stacked stone.<!—-> <!—-><!—->
So here’s my plan. I want to tear out the soldier course around the current opening, but leave the rest of the brick in place. That will give me plenty of height for the unit I want to install (the firebox is taller on the inside than the brick opening). The soldier course along the top rests on a steel lintel that is supported by the two vertical soldier courses. Does the brick above the top soldier course rely on that lintel for support, or will the mortar behind the existing brick keep everything in place? Stated differently, will the brick on the front of the fireplace collapse under its own weight if I tear out the soldier course? Just to be clear, the lintel mentioned above does nothing to support the fire brick (or any part of the fire box) – just the brick veneer on the front.
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Edited 3/15/2007 7:54 pm ET by MNMike
Replies
Bump...
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Pleeeeeaaasse????
Mike,
The brick will hold up just fine. Take out what you want, raise the steel, and/or re-lay brick as necessary.John
J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.
Indianapolis, In.
It should hold itself fine.
Please learn to resize your pictures to fit the screen. It took forever to read this with the phto embedded as I had to scroll back and forth and up and down untill my eyes got dizzy.
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Piffin,You need a bigger monitor. I know its not exactly a power tool but it'll make your time in front of the computer much easier. Think about the fact that the majority of your feedback to a computer is the screen.
Ditto on that! If you are over 40, you should definitely have a 21" screen. It will make up for a lot of the degradation in your eyes.
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2"
Edited 3/16/2007 8:57 pm ET by DougU
Why not just cut the decorative brick back to form a flat front? You could also just grind enough off to fit the insert.
Thanks for the suggestions. I would consider just grinding back enough from the top soldier course, but it is actually the steel lintel that is the problem. Basically, right behind the top of the current brass door insert is a steel lintel supporting the brick above. Can't grind that puppy away.
I've finally gotten around to posting some pictures of this now completed project. Finished it a couple of months ago. Above is a picture of the "before" fireplace. Here is a picture of the "after" fireplace - a new gas insert and cultured stone surround and hearth.
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Also, a couple pictures of the entire room, showing the overall before and after. Installed new cherry cabinets in place of the oak (to match the adjoining renovated kitchen), a new hardwood floor, and enameled the coffered ceiling.
Before:
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After:
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