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I just received my first major house commission, with two restrictions: keep the new design within the footprint of the (soon to be demolished) original house AND keep the fireplace. In order to create some internal order and circulation and adhere to the first restriction, I boldly suggested that we disregard the second restriction and move the location of the fireplace. My challenging client maintains that this fireplace draws better than ANY other and unless I could guarantee that the new fireplace would be as exceptional as the old, I couldn’t touch it!…in order to convince her, I would have to produce a gifted mason with already built fireplaces that she could test for herself. I hope that I can find just such a mason here. In addition to this fireplace, there is a second fireplace and more exterior stonework than most contractors see on six jobs. We estimate that the total project will run about two million dollars (plus). The client is high profile and the site is on top of a cliff in Katonah, NY, overlooking all of Westchester Co. If anyone is bold enough to take the client’s challenge (and can commute to northern Westchester) please contact me at the e-mail address below.
By the way, I am an avid reader of Fine Homebuilding and thought that this forum might be the best way to find the “perfect” mason. Thanks.
My e-mail address is [email protected]
Replies
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Keep the original fireplace.
She'll never be happy.
Mount Holly Road? Cherry Street? Only so many high spots in that part of the world... and none that overlook the entirety of Westchester.
*At least half the magic in making a fireplace work is the rest of the building. How is the airflow in the existing building? You could 'tighten' up the house in a remodel and undo the draw they are getting.Also, how central to the building is the chimney? A cold outer chimney has a harder time warming up to create a draw. If you relocate to an outer wall, you may be looking for trouble.A good experienced mason is definitely a good place to start, but know your building mechanics!
*Annmarie-Check out this website for details on better fireplace construction. http://www.rumford.com> It has more information about fireplaces than the average person should know - but it may be helpful.
*My grandfather was a mason and I worked with him alittle.He built alot of fire places in the 70's during the energy crisis and he has told me several times that the same fireplace in different houses will act different.If it's on the windward side it might not draft well. If there's an open stairwell between floors, that will make a big difference. A house on a hill or sheltered by trees will make a big difference in how a fireplace works. If you keep the old it won't work the same in a new house.
*Geez it's only a fireplace, not the space shuttle.To ensure the same "draw" not only would you have to save the existing fireplace and footprint but also the same shape and dimensions of the whole house and roof lines.There's a lot more to the design of a functional fireplace than masonry.Gabe
*Well..I caught a train once at Katonah Station and I can commute.Two million bucks does sound attractive, but I'm not sure you will get a gifted mason for that sort of money...they're kinda pimadonnerish ya know.
*The new fireplace will not draw like the old, so leave the old alone and build around it. Yes it will change the draw but at least you can say you did not touch the fireplace. they will never be happy so do what they want to keep liabilty down.
*New fire place will never draw like the old.....I'll have to add that to the list! .....The list started , years ago...., with....white paint NEVER matches white paint! And other colors are worse! ....once they start "looking" for an exact match....for anything...especially with a guarantee...they'll never find it! Keep the existing, save the hassle. Make'em happy. Jeff
*I don't know a thing about building chimneys but I do know people. Keep the chimney. It seems the odds are too great that the new chimney will draw like the old one. There are too many factors. I begin talking with your client on these factors, outlined by the talent here. Manage expectations! And set yourself up for success.Martin
*Stan cooper in Joplin, Missouri is the best mason I know of. He's been doing it for a very long time and has an excellant reputation.
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I just received my first major house commission, with two restrictions: keep the new design within the footprint of the (soon to be demolished) original house AND keep the fireplace. In order to create some internal order and circulation and adhere to the first restriction, I boldly suggested that we disregard the second restriction and move the location of the fireplace. My challenging client maintains that this fireplace draws better than ANY other and unless I could guarantee that the new fireplace would be as exceptional as the old, I couldn't touch it!...in order to convince her, I would have to produce a gifted mason with already built fireplaces that she could test for herself. I hope that I can find just such a mason here. In addition to this fireplace, there is a second fireplace and more exterior stonework than most contractors see on six jobs. We estimate that the total project will run about two million dollars (plus). The client is high profile and the site is on top of a cliff in Katonah, NY, overlooking all of Westchester Co. If anyone is bold enough to take the client's challenge (and can commute to northern Westchester) please contact me at the e-mail address below.
By the way, I am an avid reader of Fine Homebuilding and thought that this forum might be the best way to find the "perfect" mason. Thanks.
My e-mail address is [email protected]