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with Comments Off on Outdoor Kitchen Installation – MA
At this Organic Farm in MA we build an outdoor kitchen area. It will consist of bluestone counters, natural stone veneer, an Argentine style grill, and a pizza oven. Along with regular cooking and entertaining the owner will use this outdoor kitchen for cooking demonstrations and videos as well.
Outdoor Kitchen Installation:
To build the kitchen we install a concrete base, and then block up the form. The counters are designed to stand on columns so that there is space below for wood storage. It also has a small set of shelves and a firebrick cutout for the Argentine grill.
Outdoor Kitchen Prep
Once the blockwork is done we install the natural stone veneer. This is a 1″ thick sawn stone in the stacked stone style. We use a mix of sizes, run the stones mostly level, and break the joints to give it an authentic drystack stone wall look.
At the same time we install the firebrick to line the open grill. Firebrick is a special heat resistant type of brick that is used to inside fireplaces, ovens, etc. It can withstand a very high heat without cracking and crumbling like regular brick/concrete/stone. As an extra detail we lay the firebrick in a 45 degree herringbone pattern.
Outdoor Kitchen Stone VeneerOutdoor Open GrillNatural Stone Veneer
Once the veneer and firebrick is on get ready to install the counters. We use 2″ thick thermal bluestone and the kitchen is designed to use several standard size pieces. We also add some steel to the spans b/c there will be a stone pizza oven on top.
Stone Counter PrepOutdoor Kitchen – Stone Counters
The grill is an Argentine Style grill or sometimes called a Gaucho Grill. It is an open grill with large adjustable rack. The pizza oven is a pre-made oven from Forno Bravo that we set on top of the re-enforced counter. Once the grill and oven are in the wood fired outdoor kitchen is ready to use.
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with Comments Off on Stone Surround Fireplace – Concord, MA
At this home in Concord, MA the owners would like to update their existing brick fireplace with a new granite stone surround. They are also interested in removing the raised hearth and setting the new hearth flush with the floor to open up more space in the room.
Fireplace Before
This job is fairly straightforward in that the new stone can be built right over the existing brick. The granite we use is only 1″ thick so fits inside the existing wood frame without needing to re-do any of the carpentry. The existing hearth will need to be removed in order to lower the new hearth to the floor.
First we remove the brick hearth and install the new granite hearth in the old footprint. We are able to remove enough brick to get the new hearth perfectly even with the floor as desired.
Granite Hearth
Next we install the granite facing for the fireplace. The granite we use is a ~1″ thick stone sold as paving stones, but makes for good veneer as well. We are able to use standard sized stones from the stoneyard which we cut to fit on-site. A high bond mortar adheres it to the wall, and we set the stones very tightly as to hide the joints.
Stone Surround InstallationStone Surround Installation
The last few pieces go in and the new stone surround fireplace is complete. The new fireplace has a much cleaner and contemporary look and is a quick and relatively easy way to make a big improvement.
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with Comments Off on Outdoor Fireplace Installation – Concord, MA
Fireplace Design
At this home in Concord, MA we are hired for an outdoor fireplace installation on the back patio. The homeowner wants a fireplace that throws a lot of heat and that has a nice hearth for sitting on so they can enjoy the patio and fireplace during the colder months. To accommodate this we design a custom Rumford Fireplace. Named after Count Rumford’s design from the late 1700’s, the Rumford Fireplace is a tall, shallow fireplace that narrows towards the back and reflects more heat outwards. We follow the specified dimensions for the firebox itself, and then we custom design the surrounding stonework.
Fireplace Design
The fireplace design has a wrap around hearth and a cavity below for wood storage. The face of the fireplace is handsome and proportional with sloped sides and a chimney matching the width of the firebox. We will use a gray stacked stone veneer, granite for the hearth and caps, and reclaimed wood for the mantle.
Before
Outdoor Fireplace Installation
Foundation/Firebox/Blockwork
First we excavate and pour a concrete pad, and then block up the hearth. Once the hearth is up we start the brickwork for the firebox. The firebox is made from a special brick and mortar both of which can withstand very high heat.
Blockwork for Hearth
Starting the Firebox
As the firebox goes up we block around it forming the body of the fireplace. Once we reach the top of the firebox we need to transition the opening to meet the chimney. This is either done by corbeling the brick, or by using precast Rumford parts. In this case we corbel the brick until meeting the 1′ x 1′ size of the chimney liner.
Top of FireboxTransitionChimney Liner
Once the first chimney liner is in we are done with the brickwork and continue blocking up the slopes and chimney until we reach full height.
Completed Blockwork
Fireplace Veneer and Cap Installation
The blockwork for the outdoor fireplace installation is done and now we can begin the finish work of capping and veneering. First we make a test fire to make sure the fireplace is drawing properly. Proper draw is important for any fireplace so the smoke goes up and away and not out the front. Outdoor fireplaces can be extra challenging in that swirling winds, downdrafts, and other outdoor variables can blow smoke where you don’t want it. To guard against this we make sure the opening of the fireplace, chimney liner, and chimney height are all to the proper proportions to ensure the best possible draw. In this case the fireplace is drawing great and no adjustments need to be made.
Test Fire/Veneer/Hearth
The hearth goes in and we veneer up the face until reaching the sloped portion of the caps. The sloped caps take some extra care as it is a steep slow, so we pin them onto the backing block with metal ties before mortaring them in place.
Slope Cap Installation
Once the caps are on and dry we continue veneering. We leave a wooden spacer where the mantle will go and finish veneering to the top.
Veneering the Outdoor Fireplace
The mantle is a hand hewn hardwood beam that we pick out from an architectural salvage yard. We pin it onto the face to give it a ‘floating shelf’ look without the need for any corbels or brackets below.
Hand Hewn Fireplace MantleFireplace Mantle InstallationFireplace Mantle Installation
The mantle is in. Next we add a granite cap to the top of the chimney, give everything a cleaning, and the outdoor fireplace installation is complete and ready to enjoy.
