Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Complete Fireplace Project

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jlatham
01-25-09, 09:31 AM
I have a living room where one wall is a floor to ceiling brick fireplace with some built-in cabinets on either side.

My endgame is to have the built-ins still there, drywall on the outside of a new mantel, and the original brick exposed on the inside of the mantel. I also want to place a television over the fireplace. I am aware of viewing angle limitations and heat / soot issues...regretablly there is no better place for the TV due to the slightly awkward layout of the home. Fortunately, I intend to sit far away from the TV (it's a long, narrow room), and I don't really burn anything in the fireplace.

I've done a bunch of reading on the subject...but had trouble finding some of the answers I'm looking for

So my questions are:
-how should i attach the drywall to the brick? directly with some sort of glue? build out a new wall with strapping? should I use something other than drywall like cement board?

-does the mantle sit on top of the drywall, or does the mantle attach to the brick and the drywall go up to the outside of it?

-what should i do now to make managing cords and mounting the television easier later? obviously the more that's hidden, the better

-any general advice or things to plan for?

-pictures of your similar project?


Thanks,
Justin :)


psydeways
02-17-09, 06:52 AM
I am in the process of starting a similar remodel. A good source of basic info & ideas is at:

Do it Yourself Fireplace Remodels (http://www.homebedazzle.com/diy_fireplace_remodels.htm)

Their pics are good for ideas. Their "manual" addresses the stuff you are asking, and provides a logical order to this. It doesn't cover every aspect in tremendous detail, but recovering brick is covered well.

The first question is safety: what kind of FP do you have? With a modern zero-clearance box you have a lot of flexibility. With an old open wood burner, you have a serious fire risk & need to consider flammability & clearances (& local codes) unless you want to convert it (e.g., gas direct vent insert). Even if you survive, you probably don't want to cook your new 70" plasma toy.

Good luck.