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Attatching granite to a verticle surface on a gas fireplace.

mbr440 | Posted in Construction Techniques on April 1, 2010 11:17am

I have three pieces of 1 1/4″ granite for the face of a  gas fireplace. A lintel and two legs as a surround.They are approx 6″ x 36″.

Should I Silcone them to the 2×6 frame work,or thinset..? Or should I ?   I am  concerned about the heat affecting the silicone. Thanks.

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  1. User avater
    MarkH | Apr 02, 2010 07:44am | #1

    Construction cement is used to attach the granite normally. 

    Also I don't think the granite will get hot enough to affect the bond of silicone, silicone has a very good resistance to heat, possibly better than construction adhesive.

    1. JTC1 | Apr 02, 2010 07:50am | #2

      ?????

      >>Construction cement is used to attach the granite normally. 

      Also I don't think the granite will get hot enough to affect the bond of silicone, silicone has a very good resistance to heat, possibly better than construction adhesive.<<

      "Cement" or "adhesive"?

      If "cement" - is that thinset? define please.

      Thanks,

      Jim

      1. User avater
        MarkH | Apr 02, 2010 08:17am | #3

        Sorry, construction adhesive is probably the usual term.  I'd use pl premium construction adhesive myself.

        1. DanH | Apr 02, 2010 08:50am | #4

          Some people get bent out of shape when you use "cement" rather than "adhesive" for something that doesn't contain Portland cement, just as they get bent out of shape when you say "cement" rather than "concrete".  But if you're going to go back to the literal origin, "cement" really means "crushed rock".  However, it has a long history of being used to denote any sort of binding agent.  Don't sweat it.

          1. User avater
            MarkH | Apr 02, 2010 09:28am | #5

            Yeah, and what about PVC cement?  And rubber cement? Then, there's glue too.

        2. JTC1 | Apr 02, 2010 09:31am | #6

          Thanks for the clarification.

          Since the OP mentions thinset, a cement, as one option in his post, I was not sure what you were saying.

          The only vertical granite I have ever installed is kitchen & bath backsplashes. Never been asked to do a surround or larger surface.

          I assume you would rig some sort of bracing system for a day or so to allow the surround adhesive to cure?

          Jim 

          1. User avater
            MarkH | Apr 02, 2010 09:44am | #7

            I don't think that you NEED to brace it, but it's a pretty darn good idea to do it.

            The reason I would use construction adhesive is that I have experienced bond failures with silicone, but never with construction adhesive.

          2. JTC1 | Apr 02, 2010 10:12am | #8

            Thanks again.

            Silicone vs PL ---- good info there!

            Any idea or pattern to the silicone bond failures?

            Jim

          3. User avater
            MarkH | Apr 02, 2010 02:47pm | #9

            I"ve had silicone fail

            I"ve had silicone fail several times on bare wood.

  2. mbr440 | Apr 02, 2010 02:51pm | #10

    PL Construction adhesive it is then.... I will brace / tape them in place while they dry. I have also see granite installers us a hot glue gun and silicone.. the hot glue holds it while the silicone dries.. Used this process myself with a back splash and it worked well.

    Thanks for the replys. FHB and breaktime come thru again...

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