I have bought a 44 elite fireplace. I am going to install stone veneer around the fireplace. The installation manual says to install cement board from "the header to the floor" just wondering if I need to install over the top of the heater box or can you cement the stone directly to the heater box? I will post a picture of what I have later.
Need advice on Fireplace xtrordinair 44 elite
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I've no direct experience with a FPX, but my North Star which I installed myself last year, came with micore board cut to the shape of the face of the fireplace. and that bridges all the gaps to combustibles to the sides and above and below. I don't think You want to cement anything direct to the unit.
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So, I just took a quick look at the FPX instal manual, it says you have to supply the board, so you need to have some facing material.
From page 22 of your units install manual:
Good luck finding it, Micore is a tough retail find. You usually have to buy sheets from a fireplace shop for $$$$. There used to be a couple online places, still $$ but less than a fireplace shop would sell it for. Ask your dealer or your installers, if they bought a whole pallet that's where it becomes really cheap ad they may have pieces to sell you that you can use.
I would have actually thought, if you had it installed, they would have done that, if you did have it installed, I would ask that it be completed per the manual free of charge. Those things aren't cheap, and if you had it installed, I'm sure that wasn't cheap either, it should have been completed to a state ready for a mason to finish it off.
If you installed it yourself, the manual doesn't say what R/K value the material must have, so you might get away with durarock or something like that, available from HD or Lowes. But again, I don't have FPX experience, so I don't know what it's supposed to be, you might ask your dealer to tell you what material is required.
So, I just took a quick look at the FPX instal manual, it says you have to supply the board, so you need to have some facing material.
From page 22 of your units install manual:
Good luck finding it, Micore is a tough retail find. You usually have to buy sheets from a fireplace shop for $$$$. There used to be a couple online places, still $$ but less than a fireplace shop would sell it for. Ask your dealer or your installers, if they bought a whole pallet that's where it becomes really cheap ad they may have pieces to sell you that you can use.
I would have actually thought, if you had it installed, they would have done that, if you did have it installed, I would ask that it be completed per the manual free of charge. Those things aren't cheap, and if you had it installed, I'm sure that wasn't cheap either, it should have been completed to a state ready for a mason to finish it off.
If you installed it yourself, the manual doesn't say what R/K value the material must have, so you might get away with durarock or something like that, available from HD or Lowes. But again, I don't have FPX experience, so I don't know what it's supposed to be, you might ask your dealer to tell you what material is required.
Thanks 73blazer for the info. I am having the unit installed by a dealer they came out and set the unit in place. A longer power cord was needed to make it up to the attic where the blower will sit they did not have one so it is being ordered and coming this Tuesday to finish installing the chimney pipe and electric cord. I do not think they figured a finish facing in the price because they are just charging $400 for the install.
I'm in the process of finishing my self-install of a FPX 36 elite. Pretty much the same thing as yours but a little smaller.
Let me start by saying I'm no expert. Take what I say with appropriate caution.
I interpreted the manual to mean that 1/2" concrete board was appropriate for the facing. I screwed it directly to the front of the unit and to the surrounding framing. I installed tile on that using thinset mortar.
If your dealer is doing the chimney, blower duct and cooling ducts for $400, that is money well spent. It's bear of a job for a do-it-yourselfer like me.
I'll be interested to hear about your use of your FPX when your install is complete. I've been burning for two weeks now and learning more every day.
-Speak
Let me start by saying I'm no expert. Take what I say with appropriate caution.
I interpreted the manual to mean that 1/2" concrete board was appropriate for the facing. I screwed it directly to the front of the unit and to the surrounding framing. I installed tile on that using thinset mortar.
If your dealer is doing the chimney, blower duct and cooling ducts for $400, that is money well spent. It's bear of a job for a do-it-yourselfer like me.
I'll be interested to hear about your use of your FPX when your install is complete. I've been burning for two weeks now and learning more every day.
-Speak
Thanks Speak, I appreciate the info. Do you have any pictures of your install? Are you enjoying your Fpx 36 so far? I am getting very anxious to get my 44 elite burning.
I've got a ton of photos, and when the project is totally done I'll work on posting them somewhere on the web. For now, here's the way she looks. As you can see, I still have the mantel to do as well as some finish work.
NOTE: The mantel is going to be non-combustible (thinking granite or polished concrete), because I chose to go lower than the clearance specified in the manual for a combustible mantel.
-Speak
NOTE: The mantel is going to be non-combustible (thinking granite or polished concrete), because I chose to go lower than the clearance specified in the manual for a combustible mantel.
-Speak
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Thanks for the info and the picture looks like you have done a really nice job with the installation . Let me know when you post all of your pictures I would love to see how the whole project evolved.
SpeakEasy said:
I have the same 36" as well, and my mantle (wood) is I think ~ 15" above (I dunno, I'll measure if you want me too) and sticks out maybe 8". As I recall the the clearance should be 18" but the installer said it'd be ok because of the fan. He was right, with the fan on the air blows straight out and actually the temp under the mantle is pretty much room temp anyway, maybe a few degrees warmer because of the proximity but not a problem. I thought I'd have to go with a non-combustible but it's been fine, hopefully that's not a problem!
hdm2002 said:
Here you go...
(broken link removed to http://picasaweb.google.com/jschwar7/FireplaceInstallation?feat=directlink)
I just posted them last night.
-Speak
SpeakEasy, I am not real good with computers but I could not get the link to work. I clicked on the link and it took me to the home page of Picasa no pictures. Can you help me out?
hdm2002 said:
I'm not much with computers either, so I'm not sure why it isn't working for you. I suspect maybe you need a g-mail account (free) in order for it to work. But hey, what do I know?
-Speak
Yeah I have a g-mail account but it still will not work, but I still have a lot to learn about these computers. Maybe someone else can chime in and help me out.
Yeah that link takes me to my own account.... You need to go into the album and click the share to generate a link HTH
Devon
Devon
OK, I edited the post with a new (hopefully functional) link.
Here it is so that you don't have to page back up:
(broken link removed to http://picasaweb.google.com/jschwar7/FireplaceInstallation?feat=directlink)
-Speak
Here it is so that you don't have to page back up:
(broken link removed to http://picasaweb.google.com/jschwar7/FireplaceInstallation?feat=directlink)
-Speak
Speak, those pictures are great. You have done a very good job with your install I hope mine turns out a good as yours. The tile looks great on the fireplace excellent choice! Post some pics when you get the granite mantel installed I bet it will look good with the tile. I have a mason coming this Saturday the 26th to lay my stone for me I hope it turns out good I will post some pics when I get finished. Thanks for the pics they have helped me answer some questions that I had.
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