Project finished

I am going crazy trying to figure out how I want to install the new Jotul. Not so much of the install of the stove rather the stone and aesthtic surroundings.

I have 4 options I am running between. So, I will try to explain them best I can and any and all responses are appreciated.

The room is on a concrete slab so I really don't have hearth R value concerns. First, I will be taking out the brick in the front because I need the increased height to fit the F600. I will also be taking the hearth out in the front to get requirements for hearth in front and sides for stove. Not sure on bluestone or sandstone yet. Also, the cabinets will be coming out...wife is not crazy about them and they are not the best quality...look good from a distance, but not really up close.

Option 1 - Run stone up the center of wall, floor to ceiling....about 8 feet wide. Drywall the remaining wall on either side.

Option 2 - Run stone width of wall up to the height of mantel....drywall across top.

Option 3 - Stone the entire wall with mantel width of wall....I am leaning towards this.

On all options, I will need to run the hearth on the bottom across the width of the wall because I don't have wood to match up the floors of where the cabinets will be taken out. The hearth where the cabinets were will not be out as far as the hearth where the stove sits.

I will be using cultured stone veneer. Not sure though on the fieldstone or the ledgestone. I am thinking ledgestone, dry stacked.

I am going to have cans in the ceiling with lights on the wall too.

What may I be overlooking? Anything I have not thought about or might be a problem? Oh, and pool table will be moving to other room.

Thanks for the help.

Going with Option 1 and the firewood holder on the right side.

I have 3 pieces of 24 X 48 bluestone for the hearth. Then I have 2 pieces of 22 X 48 bluestone for either side, which will be raised slightly higher than the center hearth. The firewood holder on the right will have a bluestone mantel and there will be a mantel above stove. Width of stone up the wall will be 7'. Friend who is electrician is coming over tomorrow to run switch for a pairof recessed lights. Center above mantel with hopefully have a TV one day. So, I am building a box from 2x4s to have somewhere to anchor a wall mount. For now, there will be a mantel so that small area will not be stoned. Keep posting pics as I move along.

Any suggestions. I realize my descriptions are not as specific or detailed as they could be...
















Tough getting work done with him trying to mimick every single thing I am doing.













Any suggestions? How does it look so far?

I took the cabinets/shelves out this week and there is no turning back now (I am sure in 10 years I will be saying I wish I had kept them). Yesterday morning ordered the stone veneer. I am doing a ledgestone and I plan on doing a dry stack.

Going 7 feet across and floor to ceiling. Also, taking BG's advice and building the wood holder on the right side (should be fun) and I think it will add a good look.

My question is for the hearth. I am using bluestone. The floor is concrete slab. Do I need anything under the bluestone? I think I really don't need to worry about the R value requirements. Am I correct thinking this?

If I get 2" think bluestone it will be 1/4" above the floor, which I think will be perfect.

The minimum requirements for the hearth are 50 by 55. I am making it 54 deep by 72 wide.

Posted pics of the project above. Any ideas, things I'm overlooking, or help along the way is appreciated.

Not sure if the post got bumped after posting new pics.

I finally finished the job. All in all took a little over a month and I ( and thankfully the wife is too) am very happy with the outcome. Now I will wait until the fall to install the liner and fire her up.





Decided to go with a dry stack. Had to cut a lot of stones but happy with outcome


I built a box with and ran electrical and wiring for a TV if we ever decide to put on up there. Also gave something easy to mount the mirror. I built out a little so it was even with stone.


Not sure why but it appears in pictures the mantel on the right side is not symmetrical but it is. It is just annoying in the pics.




BeGreen recommended the wood holder and I thought it was a good idea. A pain the arse but I think it will be great. It is 20 inches deep, about 30 wide and 28 high.


Everything is within clearances and I can't wait for next winter to see how she performs.

I also had to cut the bluestone for above wood holder and the mantel. The width of the mantel is 92 inches with 2.5 inch overlap on either side.