Masonry Magazine December 2009 Page. 21
by Justin Whitman
Renovation With Manufactured Stone
The fireplace is the focal point of every room. Furniture often is arranged to face it, our favorite items are placed on our mantels, and it is the heart of every home. Updating the look of a fireplace is a great way to enhance a home, and an easy way to update a fireplace is by giving it a new face with manufactured stone.
Manufactured stone is gaining popularity as a building material for both indoor and outdoor projects, due to its authenticity and versatility. First and foremost, it is difficult for the untrained eye to differentiate between manufactured and natural stone. Manufactured stone, which comes in countless styles, is easy to install over most substrates.
Weight can be a factor when renovating a fireplace. If a fireplace is above a basement or on the second floor, extra caution should be taken to find a lightweight product. Manufactured stone is a fraction of the weight of natural stone, so the concern of putting too much strain and stress on the foundation possibly can be eliminated.
Manufactured stone is available in a large variety of colors and styles. The most successful projects are created using stone styles that look native to the project area. Many companies will customize a color, making it easy to match just about anything from a paint color to a natural stone.
Another way to get a custom look from manufactured stone is by selecting the type of grouting technique that works for the project. There are three main techniques: dry stack, ?-inch mortar, and over-grouting. The dry stack technique means there are no mortar or grout joints. It gives a cleaner and more contemporary look to any stone profile. The 7-inch mortar technique is the most common and lends itself to a traditional look. The over-grouting technique is stylish and can give the stone profile a more Tuscan look. All three of these can dramatically change the appearance of a project. Custom colors for grout also can be used. IMAS
Justin Whitman works with Tejas Textured Stone.
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READER SERVICE #200
December 2009
MASONRY
19
Bernard Dalsin Manufacturing has introduced an exclusive copper-powder-coated chimney cap that provides the appearance of copper at a fraction of the price of actual copper. Under this copper-powder coat is a chimney cap made from stainless steel, so it carries with it the lifetime warranty. Many manufacturers of professional grade caps will actually make custom chimney caps to suite the distinctive homeowners' tastes. Custom caps are sometimes made to resemble clay chimney pots, typically installed on homes with dramatic rooflines and tall distinct chimneys protruding from the roofline.
Although custom caps can be made to limitless design specifications, it is important that all codes and performance standards are maintained. Finally, one can purchase "wind directional" chimney caps, which can be aesthetically pleasing, and provide the function of assisting the flow of flue gasses out of the chimney. These caps will usually swivel to the direction of the wind, thus providing a wind barrier and allowing the smoke to exit the chimney without competing with a strong crosswind. There is one downside to these caps, in that the moving parts can become seized from the buildup of soot or the formation of ice, so periodic inspection and cleaning are important.
My position is that every masonry or chimney service contractor should include professional-grade chimney cap installation as part of the service. When the benefits are properly explained, this is the no-brainer, add-on sale for any homeowner with a masonry chimney. IMAS
Joseph Burns is sales and marketing manager for Bernard Dalsin Manufacturing (BDM).
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Photo courtesy of Gustav Schmiege Photography