Project restart ... masonry work involved

[Paul L]

OK ... when demo revealed a heatilator box, the rules changed. Rather than refacing, I am looking at rebuilding. My plan is to reconstruct the front of the fireplace with one course of concrete block, and then reface it with decorative stone. Comments on any aspect of this plan are welcome.

Specific questions:

Is hollow block ok or should I use solid block. Weight is not an issue but cost is.

The former masonry work I ripped out was attached to 2 x 4's on the floor. What is the proper base for the bottom layer of block? Cement board? The floor is 1" thick boards covered with tar paper.

I will need to use a lintel over the opening of the box to support the block. If you have any experience with this should I be looking at metal or masonry lintel as the best alternative in this application?

Due to the uneven face of what I have now, there will be gaps between the new wall and the old stuff. Should this be filled? Cement? Insulation? Nothing?

I am making a space for a Quadrafire Grand Voyager that should be here in a couple weeks.

Thanks very much ...


Here is the scene:

 

[Sons924]

I can't give you any advice but that you for showing me what's behind my wall! I have a heatilator also

 

[webby3650]

Do you know if there is any additional support under the hearth? There really needs to be something other than traditional framing under there in order to support "real"masonry in front of the existing fireplace.
Unless I'm not seeing it clearly, it looks like there is very little distance between that smoke chamber and the wood on the wall. What's the distance there?

 

[webby3650]

Hollow blocks would be better, less weight.
You probably don't really need anything under it, but I like the idea of cement board.
I would use an iron lintel. You can buy used and new angle iron at most scrap yards, a used piece could save you a little cash.
The gap between the fireplace and the face should be filled, mortar is best.

 

[Paul L]

[

Hollow blocks would be better, less weight.
You probably don't really need anything under it, but I like the idea of cement board.
I would use an iron lintel. You can buy used and new angle iron at most scrap yards, a used piece could save you a little cash.
The gap between the fireplace and the face should be filled, mortar is best.

Thanks webby ... Yep that area in front of the smoke chamber was filled with insulation in this '61 construction and nothing ever caught fire but it is pretty tight. That area will be non combustible in the remod.

And yes, the area under the fireplace in the crawl space is heavily reinforced. I'll probably be installing about 1/2 the weight that I removed in the demo. There was a course of bricks plus 4 to 5 inches of stone and mortar.

Thanks very much for the masonry tips. Much appreciated.

Paul