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I have a Majestic 36: direct vent gas fireplace. I want to place a border of 3″ or 4″ marble around the fireplace. I would like to do this so that there is a noncombustible barrier between the metal firebox and the wood of the surround and mantel I intend to build out of wood. I know nothing about how to join marble or attach it around the fireplace and to the mantel. I anticipate I will use 3 pieces. A top piece and two sides.
What I need to know is how do I join the marble or stone to the fireplace and the 3 pieces to each other and then to the mantel. I have a mantel construction book but it is of no help.
I appreciate all the advice you can provide.
Ken
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Kenny,
I just treat the marble pieces like ceramic tile. I attach some 1/4" durock to the framing around the fireplace opening and use the same adhesive that I would use if I was tiling the fireplace, and grout the seams where they come together.
Ray
*Kenny,so the box is metal. What is the wall made of adjacent to the box? And how is it supported?Typically, the drywall comes just shy of the flange. You want to span that distance 'tween your woodwork and the fire box. That means the marble will cover partly over the flange, is that correct?If so, ust get some PL400 and stick the marble to the wall. Six or so spots (1/4 x 3") of adhesive should do it. Get some help to lift the top into place, secure with wood battens 'til cured.
*Some kinds of marble will require a certain kind of Quikset. The colour will bleed through the marble sometimes. It has slight opacity in lighter colours. The outfit that cuts and sells your marble to you should be able to advise.
*As Piffin mentioned watch what you use. Some petroleum based construction adhesives will "stain" (darken) the marble. Much like silicone will bleed into white or lighter shaded marbles.For mine, I did like Ray mentioned and fastened some backerbaord to my block surrounding the opening. I used 1/2" but did so to make it work out with my block, marble and mantle planes of elevation. I used gray mortar for my beige colored marble and it worked out fine.Just brace it for 24 hours after you set them and it'll be all set the next day.Also, 99% chance says you won't do this but don't make a fire for a few days to allow the marble to dry. If the marble has any water retained in it and you start a cooker of a fire, it could rapidly expand (the moisture in the marble) and crack your marble. Chance of this happening are very slim but even if its 1/2 of 1 percent, I'd hate to have it happen after you had them in place. Did an experiment like this in college geology class long ago. Still not sure why but I remember the results???Mike
*If you have acquired the marble through other surces than the dealer, it is easy to cut. Put a diamond blade in your circular saw. Fill a plastic milk jug with water and poke a nailhole in the bottom edge. Pull the saw backwards through the marble while a helper holds the jug so that the water stream hits the point where the blade enters the marble. It's almost as fast as sawing wood. Be careful around water and electricity.BJ
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I have a Majestic 36: direct vent gas fireplace. I want to place a border of 3" or 4" marble around the fireplace. I would like to do this so that there is a noncombustible barrier between the metal firebox and the wood of the surround and mantel I intend to build out of wood. I know nothing about how to join marble or attach it around the fireplace and to the mantel. I anticipate I will use 3 pieces. A top piece and two sides.
What I need to know is how do I join the marble or stone to the fireplace and the 3 pieces to each other and then to the mantel. I have a mantel construction book but it is of no help.
I appreciate all the advice you can provide.
Ken