We have a HUGE ugly 70's stone fireplace. All the stones are different sizes and heights and they kinda have an orange tint to them. The ashes from the wood just cling to the stone and it's possible to clean. It's terrible. I really would like to update the fireplace but I'm afraid that we don't know what we're getting into. Since the stones are so uneven, we will have to remove them and then reconstruct the wall and hearth seating thing. From what I've seen online, it looks like we should have some sort of framework under the stone and then we will just need to put concrete board over it. Then I would like to use travertine tile (not sure if you all remember my post asking about where to find the tile?) and a mantle. I feel like I'm over simplifying this remodel. Has anyone done this? Any advice?
No, but I want to. We would likely switch to gas so it is a ways off. I'm not sure how much of a DIY project it can be.
Ours is very dated with a slightly rounded front and brass (could paint that at least). I would just worry about regulations for how far material needs to be from the opening, flammability, etc b
Post by lavender444 on Feb 29, 2016 15:25:27 GMT -5
We did ours, but it doesn't sound like our project is near the undertaking yours will be. We did go down to the studs on the bottom half of our fireplace, then built up a new surround ans did new tile.
Here's our before (bad listing pic. I was in too big of a hurry to redo it, I didn't take any other pics of it) and after.
Would painting the stones and grout all a light color help it all blend into the background? I might try that before a major overhaul.
The problem is that we are wanting to replace our carpet with some sort of hard flooring. It would be over 12 feet of complicated cuts due to the unevenness of the stone. Even if it were easy to make the cuts, I still would hate to have to deal with patching the flooring later on.
I really don't know what to do. I hate the fireplace. It's huge. It overpowers the space. It really dates our home. I wish there was a simpler way to fix this eyesore. If it were flat bricks, I feel like all of this would be so much easier.
Would painting the stones and grout all a light color help it all blend into the background? I might try that before a major overhaul.
The problem is that we are wanting to replace our carpet with some sort of hard flooring. It would be over 12 feet of complicated cuts due to the unevenness of the stone. Even if it were easy to make the cuts, I still would hate to have to deal with patching the flooring later on.
I really don't know what to do. I hate the fireplace. It's huge. It overpowers the space. It really dates our home. I wish there was a simpler way to fix this eyesore. If it were flat bricks, I feel like all of this would be so much easier.
Can you just put a thick baseboard to hide the gaps between floorboards and stone?
The problem is that we are wanting to replace our carpet with some sort of hard flooring. It would be over 12 feet of complicated cuts due to the unevenness of the stone. Even if it were easy to make the cuts, I still would hate to have to deal with patching the flooring later on.
I really don't know what to do. I hate the fireplace. It's huge. It overpowers the space. It really dates our home. I wish there was a simpler way to fix this eyesore. If it were flat bricks, I feel like all of this would be so much easier.
Can you just put a thick baseboard to hide the gaps between floorboards and stone?
There is a huge difference in the height of the stones. I laid a flat board across and there is up to a 5 inch difference in how far the stones stick out.
It is made out of lava rock if that helps give you a visual.
Post by dr.girlfriend on Mar 2, 2016 11:58:17 GMT -5
Lava rock is pretty porous, right? Can you chisel out some of the worst sticking-out parts? But, yeah, you definitely need to post a pic so we can accurately assess the hideousness of this thing. ;-)
dr.girlfriendlavender444 Here's a portion of it. There's a bookcase to the right with a whole bunch of personal items that I didn't want to spend time cropping out. The orange isn't super obvious in this pic but when natural light comes in the window, it has an orange tint to it.
Post by lavender444 on Mar 2, 2016 23:32:10 GMT -5
Ah. That would be a lot of labor to get rid of, but totally doable. I would go at it with a crowbar and a sledge and see how easily those stones pop off. Wear gloves and goggles.
Stalking this post because we have the same stone in our living room fireplace, except ours has hideous multicolored slate on top of the hearth to make it even more 70s.
I love that!! Would you mind sharing how much your bids average?
Yes, once we get some. We are VHCOL though, where are you? I'm in OC.
I'm in the Midwest. LCOL. I know it won't cost the same here, but I think it could be a great reference for how much it would be if everything possible went wrong
I have a 2-story wall of a similar stone wall, don't love it but we live with it and it's kinda grown on me. Ours is moss rock and more grey. I Strangely, we get compliments on it. I think ours is too big to replace, but yours looks doable.