Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Backing for Cultured Stone FP

I am redoing an interior FP and have stripped the framing down to wood studs. I will be applying cultured stone but am uncertain what the best underlayment material (e.g. concrete board, plywood, polystyrene insulation board, etc) would be for my project or the advantages/disadavantes for each alternative.

The concrete board, while a bit more expensive than the other alternatives, seems like it will be the easiest application because it doesn't require applications of felt or wire mesh. However, it seems like the polystyrene board, which would require applications of felt and wire, would provide greater insulation, and perhaps be more cost effective. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts and/or experiences as I expect to begin in the next day or two.

josef

Try this,

http://www.culturedstone.com/

Hope this helps!

Hello josef,

You might have already started (and completed) the work but here's what I did. My indoor FP had 12X12 tile around the metal firebox and then plain textured sheetrock for the rest. I pulled the tile and replaced it with 1/4" cement backer board screwed into the metal firebox. Since I wanted the cultured stone (http://www.eldoradostone.com/html_site/home/home.html) to continue up to the ceiling I then applied black construction paper to the existing sheetrock above the FP, screwed diamond lathe into the sheetrock (make sure you hit all studs), then covered with about 1/2" of mortor. Once dry I applied the stone product, let it setup for 2 days, then filled joints with using the grout bag approach.

I wish I had the pictures on my computer here at work. If you're interested I can send you some before and after shots. Good luck!

dmoolenaar,

While you're at it, can you send me some as well? E-mail link is open.

Thanks!

Anyone who's interested in some pictures of the FP stone work I did you can PM me your email address and I will send them to you - 4 pictures total - each < 100Kb.

Thanks,
David

Ok I created a public photo album at the following URL

http://community.webshots.com/album/92904983xrgDbL

Go there to see pictures of the FP stone veneer. Thanks!

Doug,

Thanks for the advice. I ended up putting concrete board over the studs and then applying the stone directly to the concrete board via mortar. Worked out great. Was extremely happy with the final result. I'd be happy to send you and others pictures if you can tell me how to do that. I know how to e-mail but this site is difficult to navigate when it comes to responding to posts.

Josef,

You're very welcome! If you can, send pictures to me and I'll set up a link for others to view.

Thanks for the feedback!