I've started renovating my masonry fireplace. I've removed the raised hearth and will be tiling the hearth flush with hardwood floor. I will tile 12" surrounding the firebox and build a wood surround and mantle to encase the brick.
I cannot figure out what these gaps were intended for and when I've had others look at them they can't either. The only time I've seen this there has been a fan apparatus that would blow hot air out of the vents into the room. In my fireplace there is no apparatus at all - doesn't look like there ever was as it is original to the home (1957). There is cool air that I can feel when I hold my hand against the gaps. I'm assuming this is air that is coming down the chimney?? Not a good thing as far as the heat bill is concerned When I have a fire going there isn't hot air coming out of these vents, but there isn't cold air coming out either. I don't see them serving any purpose at all. Maybe it was an masonry experiment back in 1957.:huh:
Here's my question: Can I tile over these vents/gaps without filling the gaps first? Oh, just thought... if there is a gap how would the grout workout? Maybe not, huh? So.. if I need to fill in the 1/2" wide gaps any suggestions of what to use for filler?? Gorilla Glue strips of cement board into the gaps? Anything different to use? I don't deal with masonry stuff much so somewhat clueless to available/proper product to use. I am intending to tile right over the brick after first doing a scratch coat to make certain the face of the fireplace is plumb before tiling.
I don't like the gaps and don't want to have them in my fireplace design if I can avoid it. Thanks for your input!!
Rox
I cannot figure out what these gaps were intended for and when I've had others look at them they can't either. The only time I've seen this there has been a fan apparatus that would blow hot air out of the vents into the room. In my fireplace there is no apparatus at all - doesn't look like there ever was as it is original to the home (1957). There is cool air that I can feel when I hold my hand against the gaps. I'm assuming this is air that is coming down the chimney?? Not a good thing as far as the heat bill is concerned When I have a fire going there isn't hot air coming out of these vents, but there isn't cold air coming out either. I don't see them serving any purpose at all. Maybe it was an masonry experiment back in 1957.:huh:
Here's my question: Can I tile over these vents/gaps without filling the gaps first? Oh, just thought... if there is a gap how would the grout workout? Maybe not, huh? So.. if I need to fill in the 1/2" wide gaps any suggestions of what to use for filler?? Gorilla Glue strips of cement board into the gaps? Anything different to use? I don't deal with masonry stuff much so somewhat clueless to available/proper product to use. I am intending to tile right over the brick after first doing a scratch coat to make certain the face of the fireplace is plumb before tiling.
I don't like the gaps and don't want to have them in my fireplace design if I can avoid it. Thanks for your input!!
Rox