Stone Veneer Fireplace Rehab

Stone veneer fireplaces are a becoming increasingly popular these days.  With advancements in thin stone veneer production, and more suppliers offering the product, thin stone veneer is an efficient/cost effective way to build natural stone fireplaces.

At this home in Acton, MA, the existing brick fireplace is outdated.  The customer is looking for a more natural and light feeling for the centerpiece of their home.

Stone Veneer Fireplace Installation

The process in this case is fairly simple.  First we take out the old hearth and mantel and install a new bluestone hearth and bluestone mante.  We also block over the old wood storage compartment per the owners request.

The new stone veneer then goes right over the existing brick.  A special high-bond mortar keeps it in place, and we make a tight fit so that no mortar shows in the joints.

The veneer stone is local stone that is sawn in a factory to 1″ thickness.  This makes installation light and easy, and possible for most any fireplace rehab.  On the other hand full stone fireplaces need to be planned from the start to account for the +6″ thickness of the stone.  This can be done in new construction, but, is harder to accommodate for rehabs.

A trained eye can tell the difference between a full stone and stone veneer, however, when done right stone veneer can looks just as good.

Stone Veneer Fireplace Rehab

The resulting fireplace brightens the room with a more contemporary and timeless natural stone.  Take a look at the finished photos below.