Cultured Stone Fireplace

[i4ni]

I'm getting ready to start laying up my Dry stack Cultured Stone Fireplace and am planning on leaving a 3/8" space under the edge of the bottom course to tuck the carpet under when it gets laid. I couldn't find any info on the subject but it makes sense to me. The fireplace will protrude from the wall like 3 feet including the hearth. Where the sides intersect the drywall I'm thinking about using 1/8" Masonite to shim the stone out from the wall enough that down the road when it's time to paint the walls there will be clearance to get a paint brush behind the stone. The stone is a darker gray so I figured I could use backer rod or a dark colored jute in the gap. I think that will make re-painting about a thousand times easier. Any ideas?

 

[nadogail]

I agree with your thinking, I suggest you stack your 3/8 spacer from layers of your 1/8 Masonite and lube between your shims so that when you grab the bump out you so thoughtfully left on the middle shim your stack will slide apart.

 

[i4ni]

I like that idea Thanks