Got a project to re-face the interior side of a chimney / fireplace. existing, it’s floor to ceiling, a rustic brick chimney / harth. They want to go for a more modern look and tile the harth and around the firepace, install a mantel, and stucco above the mantel.
I haven’t done this kind of thing yet, but I’m thinking I’ll want to cover the whole thing with diamond mesh and then smooth it all out with morter before installing tile or doing the stucco.
Sound like the right approch? any sugestions?
Replies
anyone?
I'm a carpenter and have been thinking about doing the same thing to our brick fireplace, by covering it with slate. I'm interested to know the best way to do it.
It would be tough to smooth out a rough surface enough to tile it, (taking into consideration expansion and contraction from heat)but sounds like you have the right idea.
The main consideration would be getting the backing securely anchored to the old stone. (sounds like a shame to cover it up, but oh well.)Whatever works...
Just a suggestion, what about facing it with some type of cement board? Anchor it and use some super duper PL adhesive. Then you can stucco.
Something else just came to me. Place ferring strips on the brick, then put up Hardi panels, then caulk and paint. Bypass the stucco step. Clean smooth look.
Semper Fi
"To be young and a conservative, you have no heart"
"To be old and a liberal, you have no mind"
Winston Churchill
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985
Edited 4/12/2007 1:08 pm ET by Jarhead
have you looked into manufactured stone veneers? (http://www.culturedstone.com is one example).
You can apply them to a bed of mortar right over the existing brick (Dan Morrison calls them "lick n stick") - no wire mesh, cement board, etc.
Justin Fink - FHB Editorial
Your Friendly Neighborhood Remodelerator
I like to maintain the option of removing a covering placed over brick.
I'd recommend furring strips attached with tapcons screwed into the mortar joints, then cement backer board screwed to the furring strips, then your choice of stone, tile, or vinyl siding over the cement board.
The flatness of the cement board is key if going over it with any sort of veneer tile.
It'll go faster and look mo' beddah.
Mongo
I don't have expertise in how to attach this, but you might consider using custom cut slabs of polished marble instead of tile. Have one piece on each side and another across the top. Have them cut about 3/8" to 1/2" thick. The larger size of these slabs will cover the uneven brick surface better than tile, in my opinion.
I hope to do something similar with my fireplace next year, so I'll be reading all the replies too.
George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service