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Installing a Manufactured Stone Fireplace A fireplace goes from drab to dazzling with an artificial stone treatment. From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-208

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Metal Lath

The next step in this process is the installation of a metal lath to ensure maximum support for your manufactured stone.

Important: When installing metal lath, make sure that you're installing it in the proper direction. When you run your fingers against the lathe, it should be rough to the touch going down and smooth to the touch going up. You want the rough side up so that it will grab and hold the mortar scratch coat.

Secure the lath to your wall studs and in the middle using one-and-a-half inch roofing nails or masonry screws (figures D and E). The marks made from using your stud finder will act as a guide. Make sure to leave at least a two-inch overlap as you attach the pieces of lath. If you need to cut the lath, use wire snips and gloves.

Figure D

Figure E

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Mixing and Applying Scratch Coat

The mortar mix used for the scratch coat is two parts sand to one part mortar. Dean and Derek will also use the same mix to set the stone.

Rock Solid prep tip: Before putting up your scratch coat, cover your gas insert or fireplace with newspaper and painters tape to prevent it from being damaged by the mortar.

• Mix the dry materials first then add the bonding agent. Follow the manufacturer's directions, but add enough water to achieve the proper consistency so that the mix is not too dry or too soupy. Let the mix sit for 5 minutes before using it to make sure that it's properly coagulated.
  

  Figure F

• Apply the scratch coat with a trowel and hawk (figure F). A hawk is a valuable tool that simplifies the job of applying the coat. Put a generous amount of the scratch coat on the hawk and place it right against the wall. Take your trowel and push the mix up and against the lath. As you work your way up, keep the top of the trowel angled out slightly while the bottom is flush with the surface. This will keep the bottom of the properly trowel in line with the surface as you apply the coat. Continue to apply it in an upward motion. If your trowel is too big, try a smaller one to cover the small and hard to reach spots.
  

• Cover the lath entirely with an even scratch coat of mortar (figures G and H) and before it dries, scratch the surface using a trowel to create a rough surface. Let the mortar dry. You will know your scratch coat is dry if you touch it and nothing sticks to your hand.

  Figure G

  Figure H

  
  

  Figure I

  
  

After the scratch coat has dried, install the mantel. Determine the height of your mantel – you generally want it somewhere around chest height – and then mark the top using a level. Measure the width of your wall, locate the center point, and this is where the center of your mantel will be.

• Different mantels are installed in different ways. The freestanding type that Dean and Derek use is installed with an anchorboard. They level and set the anchor board (figure I).
  

• Slide the mantel on top of the anchor, check it for level (figure J) and secure the two to each other (figure K). They don't worry about the screws showing since they will cover them with stonework. Methods of application differ with mantel types, however, so check with your distributor or a carpenter if you have questions.

  Figure J

  Figure K

  
  
  
  

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  RELATED PROJECTS: Fire-Pit: Measurement, Quarry Trip Fire-Pit: Prep Work Fire-Pit: Setting Stone Fire-Pit: Setting Capstones 1903 Victorian: Rediscovered Fireplace 1903 Victorian: Rebuilding the Fireplace

  
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Installing a Manufactured Stone Fireplace