| Installing a Travertine, Marble, Granite or Limestone Natural Stone Fireplace Hearth. Brought to you by Cole Farms, Inc. |
When creating a limestone, granite, travertine or marble natural stone fireplace you start like most things in life, at the bottom. Our hearth was framed in when we built the house and I later covered it with durarock / hardiboard and glued and screwed everything down. This created a nice solid surface for the stone slabs to lay on.
The slabs were measured and cut (see our picture page at the link below) and then installed. The slabs were bullnosed meaning they had a rounded outer edge. This was done at the stone shop with a special grinder. It can be done by hand on location but requires much skill. The slabs are expensive and one wrong cut or grind can ruin one. A thick layer of latex enhanced mortar was applied and then the slabs were installed over that. The two slabs that turn the corner were installed the same way with great care taken to make sure that they lined up and were level. Once dry, the leading edges that came together were ground smooth for a fairly seamless edge. At the end of the entire installation, grout will be applied to the two seams. Also, the vertical slabs that go from the hearth to the floor can be installed at this time or later. Ours were installed later in the process.
You will find below an index of the articles that I have put together on this subject. I have tried to cover building a granite, travertine or marble fireplace hearth, surround and mantle using a step by step approach.
Step by Step Articles on Building a Travertine, Marble or Granite Fireplace Surround.
Intro - An Overview of Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround, Mantel and Hearth - Overview of our articles on Building a Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 1 - Sketching and Designing your Stone Fireplace Surround - Measuring, planning and sketching out your Natural Stone Fireplace.
Article 2 - Finding an Stone Installer - Choosing a craftsman to build your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 3 - Finding your Materials - Choosing your travertine, marble or granite for your natural stone fireplace.
Article 4 - Finding your Materials 2 - Finding Marble, Travertine, Granite, Concrete or Cement Columns for your Fireplace
Article 5 - Installing the Fireplace Hearth - Installing your Marble, Travertine, Granite, or Limestore Fireplace Hearth
Article 6 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Surround
Article 7 - Installing the Fireplace Mantel - Installing a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace Mantel
Article 8 - Installing the Fireplace Surround - Installing Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 9 - Grouting the Fireplace Surround - Grouting Wall Tile on a Marble, Travertine, Granite Tile or Slab Fireplace
Article 10 - Enhancing and Sealing your Fireplace Surround - Applying Enhancer/Sealer to your Travertine or Natural Stone Fireplace Surround.
Picture Page 1 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
Picture Page 2 - Photos, Pictures, Images of Installing a Marble, Granite, Travertine or Limestone Fireplace Hearth, Mantel and Surround.
