Fireplace construction

[PerformanceMasonry]

Anybody have a step by step construction process, from firebox, damper, throat to chimney?
With pics?
thanks

 

[bholler]

Yeah there are allot of sites on it but the most important part of it is the design. I have seen tons of fireplaces built very well by very good masons but they didnt work well at all because the mason didn't know how to design it. There are also allot of different ways to do a fireplace i feel the best is a rumford or some variation on that design They seem to work better and throw off allot more heat

 

[begreen]

Building an indoor fireplace is a complex topic. There are a lot of variables, designs, codes and materials involved. It's more like something one would cover in a book along with some apprenticeship with a good mason.

 

[Grisu]

If someone really thinks about putting in the effort and time to build a masonry fireplace, I would suggest to look into a masonry heater instead. That way you won't just get a nice fire view but also an efficient heater. http://www.mha-net.org/

 

[Jo191145]

Anybody have a step by step construction process, from firebox, damper, throat to chimney?
With pics?
thanks

You might try your local building official. They won't have a step by step tutorial but they'll have all the local codes required. Study those first before learning something that won't fly in your area.

 

[Simonkenton]

I built the fireplace, pictured at left. I bought two books on fireplace construction, and off I went! I had never laid a brick in my life.
My fireplace turned out well and is a very good heater, for a fireplace. You do realize that even a well constructed fireplace uses about 5 times as much wood as a wood stove to get the same amount of heat.

Nevertheless, I love my fireplace, there is nothing to compare with the look and feel of a fireplace. The first thing is, you need to build a Rumford style fireplace.
I am out on the road in the big rig just now, but will be home in a few days.
Upon my return I will get the names of the two books I used to build my fireplace. Send me a pm.

 

[Simonkenton]

OK, I am back home, and here are your books. The main one is Fireplaces by Ken Kern and Steve Magers.

http://www.alibris.com/Fireplaces-The-Owner-Builders-Guide-Ken-Kern/book/8485227

This is a great book.

Another good book Building With Stone by Charles McRaven.

You can do it if you have the will. Good luck!

 

[rideau]

There is also a small book on how to build a Rumford Fireplace, I think written by Rumford, if I recall correctly, but perhaps not. Anyway, it is very detailed, and I believe I bought it at the Vermont Country Store. I bought it in the 70'd, when I built this house, so don't know if it is still in print. If it is, it is worth buying.

 

[ccmac]

Many people have built their own chimney's and fireplaces. You know your skills best. If I only did what people told me I was capable of I'd never accomplish anything significant in life. Go for it and when you are done, post us a picture please.

 

[bholler]

Many people have built their own chimney's and fireplaces. You know your skills best. If I only did what people told me I was capable of I'd never accomplish anything significant in life. Go for it and when you are done, post us a picture please.

It is absolutely doable as a diy project but it is a huge undertaking and it will take a massive amount of planning and research as well as tons of work. And when you are done even if you do it right you will have a fireplace that only adds a very small amount of heat to your house and burns a ton of wood. But if you are dead set on doing it go for it

 

[Jo191145]

It is absolutely doable as a diy project but it is a huge undertaking and it will take a massive amount of planning and research as well as tons of work. And when you are done even if you do it right you will have a fireplace that only adds a very small amount of heat to your house and burns a ton of wood. But if you are dead set on doing it go for it

As a mason who's built hundreds of em I couldn't agree more. Even the best ones are mere showpieces in reality.