Refacing a brick fireplace

Cork Grones

I want to reface my existing brick fireplace with a dry stack stone. If I am careful to really make good contact to my brick with a mortar bed, can I get by without having to use a wire mesh lath?

crawdoogie

I would definitely use the lath as old brick is not the best substrate as far as mortar adhesion is concerned. Plus with no grout between the stones it makes a stable mortar bed more important. Another consideration is how large an area are you covering as with a larger (especially with increased height) area the mechanical attachment becomes critical.

yesitsconcrete

so would i,,, old brick's not the cleanest surface for adhesion,,, why go to all this trouble for a makeover & not take ALL steps to ensure permanence ? ? ?