How To Buy Your Fireplace

How To Buy Your Fireplace:

Take Measurements

First, a picture or sketch of the spatial layout with length and width measurements is required to build an accurate design and generate an estimate. Please note:

  • type of mantle desired: wood, stone, tile. Please note, we do not install all types of Mantles. A general contractor or a handy man might need to be involved, if you you want a wood or metal mantle.
  • type of hearth: tile, stone
  • hearth will be at the same level as the floor, or raised above floor level

For fireplace tile designs, consider:

  • horizontal or diagonal tile layout
  • desired placement of accent areas or different tile types within layout
  • edge trim, i.e. pencil liners, bull-nose, etc.

The color of the tile grout is typically decided by the installer. If the customer wants a specific color, please discuss with your Artistic Stone consultant well in advance of the day of installation. The installer typically also decides spacing between tiles when he or she examines the prepared site and the tile material. Very small gaps (1/8 in.) are harder to perfect for certain jobs; ¼ inch is more common (the minimum spacing is 1/16 in).

The fire code states that the fireplace hearth must be at least 12 inches (wood-burning) or 6 inches (gas-burning) wide. The distance between the firebox opening and any combustible material (such as wood mantle, floor or wall) must be at least 12 inches for wood-burning fireplaces and at least 6 inches for gas-burning fireplaces.

For the initial estimate, we ask that the customer provide measurements of the layout. To finalize the pricing and material amounts, an Artistic Stone representative will come to your home or office space and take final measurements. We’ll also count how many of your chosen accents are required to fit the space.

Need help with design ideas? Our consultants are experienced stone and tile designers. Contact us to discuss your fireplace ideas.

Choose the Materials

We recommend natural stone slab or stone tiles for fireplaces. Beautiful, organic natural stone can be polished along its exposed edges and requires periodic sealing. Each piece is unique.

Porcelain and ceramic tiles may be used, but the exposed edges are more difficult to trim. Some kind of trim or bull-nosed pieces will be required. Grout should still be sealed.

Quartz is not recommended for fireplaces.

When ordering tiles for fireplaces, remember to account for any trim, accent or bullnose edge pieces. For horizontal lays, add 10% overage for any cutting and breakage. For diagonal lays, add 15%. Allow 4-10 days for tile orders to arrive. Re-stocking fee could apply to tile returns.

Place the Order

Artistic Stone is not responsible for shortage or extra tile orders if our staff did not perform the measurement or installation. Please check with your contractor before ordering.

When ordering stone for fireplaces, inventory from the Artistic Stone warehouse in San Leandro has the shortest lead time. Full slabs purchased from other vendors are typically delivered to Artistic Stone within 3-7 days.

Demolition

To ensure a smooth installation of the fireplace, note that the area must be completely cleared before it is prepared. The amount of labor is determined on a case-by-case basis, which may involve no demo or may involve removing some or entire existing rock, brick, tile, or slab structure.

Preparation

Preparation of the fireplace area also depends on the scope of the job. If leveling is required, at least one day will be needed to ‘float’ the surface with thin-set mortar or cement.

Please note: Any structural construction and/or firebox installation must be permitted and signed off by the city inspector. This should be performed by a licensed general contractor

Fabrication

For slab jobs, 5-7 business days are required for shop fabrication.

Installation

Setting a tile fireplace requires one day for most jobs (add an extra day for large jobs or for elaborate accents or lay designs). The installer needs 2-3 hours for grouting, which is usually done the day after tile setting is complete, and one hour for sealing the day after grouting is finished.

For a stone slab fireplace, most jobs can be completed within one day.

Fireplace Mantles: we do not install all types of Mantles and a general contractor or a handy man might need to be involved. Contact our staff for more information.

Final Payment

The final balance is collected after the job is finished.