The standard hearth base is approximately four inches thick and needs a masonry foundation to support it.
Build your own indoor stone fireplace.
Once the metal lath is in place mix the mortar.
Tape plastic sheeting or an old drop cloth to a flat surface and use painter s tape to outline the shape of your fireplace on it.
Building a stone fireplace.
The project started with the rough installation of the heat glow northstar wood burning fireplace.
Non flammable material was placed around the fireplace and on top of the hearth.
Apply mortar to a stone and then put the stone in place at the bottom left corner of the mantel.
Now you have to points of reference for your first row of stones.
Step 1 build the hearth and foundation.
Next apply another stone to the bottom right corner of the mantel.
This base must be thick enough and deep enough to support not only the firebox and chimney but also a hearth extension that goes 18 to 20 inches beyond the fireplace opening.
If you re doing mountain rock you ll need to select whether you want your fireplace to have the full grout look or a stacked stone look.
Add the stones by starting on one side and moving to the other.
I opted for a hearth height of about 14 inches which is the perfect height for sitting in front of the fire.
If you are constructing the stone fireplace yourself it is still advisable to seek assistance from a friend.
Select your face type.
Create a dry run of your design photo by wendell t.
Build your fireplace out of the ones that don t split.
Stone fireplaces can weigh up to 6 or 7 tons so if you are installing a prefabricated cast stone or hand carved natural stone fireplace the installation is best left to the manufacturer.