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johnc3_gw

fireplace surround for new gas fireplace

johnc3
12 years ago

We are building a house in the country in California and installing a Mendota "fullview" fireplace that generates a lot of heat. The instructions for the fireplace require that it be comvered with one inche of fire resistant material, such as stone, 13 inches above the firebox.

According to the instructions it is possible to have trim protruding a quarter to half an inch from the one inch material as close as two inches from the firebox. We are trying to design a mantle and surround with a curve that is perhaps as close as 8 to 10 inches.

Mendota customer service strongly recommended not having any wood in the 13 inch area because of issues with crazing or discoloration of paint, saying the temperature could reach 170-180 degrees above the fireplace. This really constrains what we can do with a nice looking fireplace. Anyone had experiences with this? I am wondering if there is a heat resistant material that can be molded or milled like wood and painted with a heat resistant paint that might work.

Thanks!

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