Faux Rock Panels for Fireplace

[Model A Fan]

I have a very dated looking fireplace (think 1970s tan and dark brown bricks). I've seen these faux rock panels advertised on YouTube and was intrigued by the relative ease (maybe not as easy but I don't know yet) at which they can be installed.

I don't really like the bricks and would prefer a "lodge" look with river rock or something like that. I had thought perhaps to borrow my Dad's rock saw (can cut most any normal rock in half or pieces) and use that to take the rock halves and then "glue" them to the brick face and then put mortar or whatever between them to make it look like the entire structure is made from big rocks, but in reality it would almost be a "veneer" of sorts.

Has anyone used "Faux Panels" or a brand similar to them? Has anyone redone a chimney and fireplace surround using real rocks? Anything I should be concerned about (added weight of real rock vs. fake rocks is one I am concerned with).

This is a YouTube link to the brand I've looked at, but they're kinda pricey.

I've attached a picture of what I currently have (my actual fireplace).

 

[engineer2]

I've done stone veneer panels on the front of my house. Buy veneer panels or make your own. I used thinset since it is easier to work with than type S mortar. Finish with whatever sanded grout you like. It makes a mess, so you'll need some good floor protection.

 

[paredown]

I've done stone veneer panels on the front of my house. Buy veneer panels or make your own. I used thinset since it is easier to work with than type S mortar. Finish with whatever sanded grout you like. It makes a mess, so you'll need some good floor protection.

I'm also interested in this topic--but would be doing an external application much like you are describing.

Our house actually shows full sized stone below all the windows on the original plans--which they didn't do, although they left a full 8" block depth on top of the foundation wall to carry the stone, and inset the windows/window wall sections. (It may have been for budget reasons--they ended up finishing the punctuations with the same cypress siding as the rest of the walls.)

I'm curious about the detailing--do you typically use cement board, thinset and then the veneer stone, or mesh, scratch coat and then stone? Any pointers to sites where there are some detail drawings or people who are doing this and are willing to help amateurs get the job done?

For the OP--my inclination based on fighting tile installs is that you might do better to put a cement board substrate, locked into the brick, and work with a flat surface--just seems like it would leave you dealing with one problem (layout and level) rather than two problems at once...

 

[Model A Fan]

I've done stone veneer panels on the front of my house. Buy veneer panels or make your own. I used thinset since it is easier to work with than type S mortar. Finish with whatever sanded grout you like. It makes a mess, so you'll need some good floor protection.

I plan on pulling this carpet out, so I was going to take advantage of that fact and just have at it. It was very stained when I bought the place, so I kinda knew going into the house it was coming out. The upstairs has some nice clear fir flooring I have to sand to get to the original wood, but the subfloor downstairs (1970s addition I believe) is an unknown.

What are you referring to as stone "veneer"? Are they on the mesh backer kind of like tiles? I live near a river, so unlimited river rock is definitely a possibility

I was looking at the Liquid Nail type stuff that is supposed to hold really strong and tight (they did a commercial a few years ago with it being used in the rain I believe).

 

[4xdog]

I had the spalling brick on my parents' former home clad in faux stone a few years ago. It turned out pretty well, I thought.

The faux stone we used, ProVia Heritage Stone, is shown in the pix below.

(Click on images to see more detail)

 

[yeldogt]

The majority of the fake stone .... looks fake. It's fine at a distance -- proceed with caution.

What are your plans for the room ? The wacky angle is more objectionable vs the brick. I don't really have a problem with it -- it is what it is. Squaring off the brick at the left meeting line would blend it in to the ceiling.

What's the plan with the wood wall?

 

[engineer2]

Go to the Home Depot site and look up "stone veneer" If usually comes in 1ft x 2ft panels and is usually real stone glued to mesh. I used the kind that was stacked tight so I didn't have to deal with grout joints.

I exposed the studs, stapled two layers of heavy plastic sheeting and attached regular gray cement board with coated cement board screws. Metal weep screed along the bottom edge (required by our local code). Attached the stone with thinset and applied tile sealer when it was all done. It's like putting up wall tile. It was passed by our building inspector. I just googled for info on how to do it the right way.

If your walls are set back several inches from the foundation, it's likely it was set up for real brick facade. Different construction technique. I forget how you waterproof the wood wall, but typically there is an inch gap between the brick and the wall of the house. Brick is not waterproof and the air gap helps deal with any water seepage. Local codes and techniques may vary. I think some brickies post here and they will have more details, like how to let the water out at the bottom with pieces of rope and tying the brick to the wall.

 

[mrvm]

This is a YouTube link to the brand I've looked at, but they're kinda pricey.

The faux rock concept sounds and looks good. The u-tube comments about the product center primarily around the hot installer. At least she makes it look super ez

 

[Hollywood D]

The faux stuff still looks pretty ‘plastic’ to me. But it depends what your budget is. I did fireplace in my last house with norstone veneer stone. It looked ****. It’s not cheap tho at about $16 a square foot. But if you don’t need a lot it’s not too bad. They make integrated corners too so everything looks professional. If there’s a floor and decor by you they sell veneer panels as well for around $6 a sqft but only some of them have the integrated corners. I did my fireplace in a weekend without any masonry experience. We’re getting ready to do the one in the current house with norstone again.

 

[TractorJeff]

From what I have seen of those huge 70"s Fireplaces, most of that brick is a facade! Take your Dad's concrete saw and take it down. I am starting on ours in the Spring, same reason its 70's dated!

 

[yeldogt]

NTY has a current article in the RE section ... see last picture.

 

[Bruce 993 SEA]

Home Depot has a real stone "stacked stone" veneer that is about 6 x 18 with interlocking edges. Install with thin set over the brick. I back butter the pieces and make sure thin set does not goop out. If it does, just wipe it off.

The corner pieces are a little pricy but you can do it yourself. Order more than you need and return the excess.

I have done 3 or 4 or these and they look great.

View media item 99256
There is no need to grout between, it is the dry stack look. Use a level the whole time to keep from getting off.

You can cut with a tile saw or a diamond blade in an angle grinder.

For the Home Depot haters, your local brick distributor carries this as well. Here in Washington State, Mutual Materials has a good selection.

I see the OP is in NW Washington...State or DC? I just looked at the picture again...it says NWMLS so Wash State.

 

[Varty Yo]

In the masonry industry we call this "lick and stick" haha. Ive redone dozens of old dated fireplace as yours. Pretty straight forward. I suggest calling on local bricklayers to quote you on a price. Typically i charge $22-26sqft that material and labour. You can try it on your own but be prepared to pay alot more if you do it and screw it up lol. Ive had to fix alot of "youtube" masons that have royaly screwed up the install. Bricklayer for over 20 years so i have exp. There are quality products and cheap "home depot" junk. Eldorado stone or Creative mines make a really good product. Shop around for different suppliers in your area.

 

[Lynden]

Eldorado Stone veneers and mantels.

https://shop.eldoradostone.com/products/angelo-mantel?variant=12155725380