Our client wanted a unique stone implementation surrounding his new gas fireplace. I employed our favorite style - leveled random rubble Dry Stack. I used our Select Colorado Fieldstone for the project. He worked upstairs in his home office while I built the fireplace in his recreation room. We listened to classical music and created.....

The following photo illustrates the construction technique employed for a self supporting arch. A wood form built from matching pieces of 1/2" plywood, carefully cut to the desired shape of the arch, is installed before the stones are placed. Matching stones are dry fit (no mortar) from each side while moving toward the center. Finally the keystone is added in the middle. At this stage mortar is added behind and between the joints.
Click photo to enlarge.

After two days the wood form is removed to reveal the arch and the rough-in construction fireplace face. Touch up mortar work is conducted under and around the arch. This photo also reveals the massive flagstone hearth we employed for the implementation (3" thick and 86" long). It took four of us to lift and set it in place (thanks Peter, Jack and Jaime).
Click photo to enlarge.

After leveling the stonework above the arch, we added a flagstone mantel. The mantel actually rests on a piece of angle iron embedded in the stonework. The stone face above the mantel is recessed about 6" deeper than the stone face below the mantel.
Click photo to enlarge.

The final product - about 8' high and 7' wide. Note that the rough-in construction fireplace face has been replaced by the finish face.
Click photo to enlarge.

For more information, email us at: info@roksolid.com.
Return to the RokSolid Home