Next Steps

Here's the fireplace all set to go: I've completed the installation of the tar paper and the metal lath.

Click to expand

The fireplace is wrapped in steel mesh and ready for battle!



Full disclosure: The next step for the fireplace is to hire a contractor to install the stone veneer. I was originally planning on installing the stone veneer myself, but the stone that we purchased uses a 'dry stack' technique. A brick pattern would probably be easier, as a level would be used to install the brick veneer and then the grout would be applied. But with a dry stack technique, all of the pieces need to fit together tightly, and no grout is used.

Here is what I mean: This is the stone we purchased and how the pattern will look once installed:



Basically this is a giant 3-D jigsaw puzzle spread out over 8 boxes of 1500 lbs of stone veneer. Since the fireplace will be the anchor of the Ground Floor, I want it done right and to look good. I think a key to doing anything successfully is to know one's circle of competence, and installing dry-stack stone veneer is probably not one of mine.

Once the stone is installed, the fireplace company will follow up with a visit to install the interior brick face, logs, embers, the hearth front, the blower, and the electronics, and then burn it in for a few hours to remove any new-build fumes. Good thing NG prices are cheap at the moment.

Next up for me is the window jamb extenstions. Below is a picture of a ton of 2x6 3/4 inch clear pine that will be cut, then ripped, to make the jamb extension boxes. But I probably will not start on this until the new window blinds arrive, as I don't want to leave the windows wide open for anyone to see all of my tools, etc. in the basement.