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Here’s the problem:
The fireplace will be built on an exterior end wall of a two-story house. It will be a gas fireplace. There is no intention to ever use wood. The owner wants the exterior to be all brick.
The contractor thinks that the traditional all-masonry fireplace would cost about the same as the pre-fab box and wood framed chimney w/ metal flue & brick veneer. He has also expressed concern about the brick veneer going 30+ feet.
Questions: Do these alternatives really cost about the same? I’ve had experience w/ veneer chimneys and had no problems. Is this concern warranted?
Any recommendations/comments appreciated.
Replies
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i The contractor thinks that the traditional all-masonry fireplace would cost about the same as the pre-fab box and wood framed chimney w/ metal flue & brick veneer. He has also expressed concern about the brick veneer going 30+ feet.
As a general rule, all-masonry is much more expensive than pre-fab. How many masonry chimneys do you see anymore in housing projects? Or new single houses. Very few due to the cost and shortage of good masons. In your case (gas only) the masonry could terminate somewhere above the damper and go over to metal flue for the gas burner - is this what you are thinking? If you buy a listed gas appliance fireplace (some now even are no-vent) the instructions will tell you what type of flue to use. If you build a hybrid you want to get the flue right. Others here will post with more detailed information on that, I think.
Regarding the concern for brick veneer going 30 feet on frame construction - you bet! It won't. Especially on a 'thin' structure like a chimney. You did mean brick veneer on frame, right?
PS - If you don't have it, you should get the following book: "Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Handbook - Second Edition" from the Masonry Institute of America.
Jeff
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Here's the problem:
The fireplace will be built on an exterior end wall of a two-story house. It will be a gas fireplace. There is no intention to ever use wood. The owner wants the exterior to be all brick.
The contractor thinks that the traditional all-masonry fireplace would cost about the same as the pre-fab box and wood framed chimney w/ metal flue & brick veneer. He has also expressed concern about the brick veneer going 30+ feet.
Questions: Do these alternatives really cost about the same? I've had experience w/ veneer chimneys and had no problems. Is this concern warranted?
Any recommendations/comments appreciated.