Stone Veneer (ledgestone) fireplace remodel questions

Augy

Around our fireplace, we are replacing the ceramic tile and oak mantel/surround with stone veneer. We plan to mount a tv above it and getting rid of the mantel will allow us to lower it quite a bit. I have ordered stone veneer ledgestone and am planning to go floor to ceiling with this in the dry stack manner (little or no mortar in the joints). I'm still flushing out the details and have some questions.

We have a typical gas fireplace (direct vent), mounted flush with the wall and up about 8 or 10" off the floor. Surrounding it was 12" ceramic tiles on the wall and floor and outside that were wood pillars and a mantel. I've ripped all that out so all I have now is the fireplace flush with the sheetrock. See pic below.

1. Should the gas fireplace be flush with the surface or can it be set back a few inches? In other words, if it remained unmoved and I "bump out" the surrounding area that will be covered in stone, the front of the fireplace will end up being set back several inches from the face of the stone veneer. Just wondering if it will trap heat or any other concerns. Would a blower make a difference?

2. I am considering boxing out an area above the fireplace that will be flush with the surface of the finished stone veneer,...this would be where I'd mount the flat screen tv mounting bracket. Is this a bad idea? Just wondering if I should just go stone veneer all the way up and mount the bracket through the veneer?

3. My wife would prefer I just install the veneer on the existing wall while I think it would look better if I bump the whole thing out at least a few inches. She is concerned bumping it out will eat up valuable space while I think install just the flat stones on the wall will look a little a little less appealing.

4. Lastly, just gathering opinions but if I have to move the fireplace out...should I move it down to the floor as well and skip the hearth? I'm undecided on this and so is my wife. Just curious what others think.

Thanks for any and all advice.

titanoman

I'de leave it off the floor like it is.
If you pull it out, make sure the pipe doesn't get too close to whatever wood is in the chase.

I'de mount a tv bracket after all the rock is done.

It's all personal preference.

Sent from a Samsung Galaxy S2

bmeeks8

Looking at your picture, I believe we have similar gas fireplace units. Mine is a double-sided model made by Heat-n-Glo. It's hard to see the details in the smaller web picture, but yours looks a lot like the single-sided version of mine.

I have mine mounted in a stone veneer fireplace using man-made stone from Centurion Stoneworks. The stone veneer face is about 2" proud of the metal face of the fireplace, and I have no problems with heat getting trapped in the recess. I do, however, strongly recommend the blower unit for your fireplace if you do not have one. That prevents items above your fireplace (like your future TV) from becoming quite hot due to the rising hot air from the fireplace vents. Having a blower pushes that heat out into the room before it starts rising, and that goes a very long way in keeping the stone right around the fireplace opening much cooler. I did not originally include the blower with mine, but added it later. I'm very glad I did.

jomama45

I would keep it where it's at if it were me, as it's going to be a fair amount of work to lower it at this point. The hearth is purely taste, so I think it is fine either way.

Augy

Ok, thanks for the quick responses everyone. I think I'll plan to keep the fireplace where it's at if at all possible. Still unsure if I want to build out from the wall and use corner pieces or just keep everything flush with the wall. The former would introduce as much as 6" or so of setback from stone face to fireplace face, whereas the keeping it flush would create a set back of just the thickness of the stone (2" or so?).

Any thought on how much recess I could get away with?

And I'll order a blower for the reasons stated by bmeeks8 :-)

Thanks again.

jomama45

If you do want to pad it out from the wall, I'd shot for more like 4-5" finished, only because you'll be limited by the short leg on the return corners. If that doesn't make sense, you may need to get your stone purchased and in your possession before putting the framing in & determining the actual depth. I will tell you though that most of the cultured stone I've come across in the last 15+ years will only have about that 4-5" return on the short face, meaning you would likely need to "two-piece" the returns on some courses. These "two-pieces" would be very small and look awkward as well.

Augy

I see what you're saying. I think you are right about the stone return length...I ordered it but they carry the same type in a different color at the local Lowes (Stonecraft, I think). I'll take a look when I have a minute to stop in but what you are saying makes a lot of sense. I'll plan accordingly. Thanks!

Augy

I have the mount on hand already so this makes a lot of sense. What would you recommend to use as 'temp bushings'? Would some lag screws of the same size as the mounting kits screws work? Maybe some that are extra long so they stick out well past the face of the veneer?

Also, I ordered a fan unit last night and it will arrive Friday. My stone veneer flats have arrived at Lowes as well...just waiting for the corners to come in. Figures the one thing I need the most (the corners...to determine the return length and, thus, set the distance I bump it out) will be the last to arrive.

Again, thanks for the help. I really appreciate the suggestions...