I'm looking for advice on how to decorate my fireplace surround without going overboard on weight. We have a fireplace insert that weighs 205 lbs, and I was considering a stone veneer, but the tile I found weighs about 1200 lbs for 100 sqft—yikes! My general contractor (GC) thinks adding too much weight could be an issue, as they suggest keeping it under 300 lbs. Since our town requires structural permits for heavier installations, I'm concerned about our options. The fireplace is in a corner supported by two sides of the foundation, so I'm unsure about the best approach here. Are we limited to just drywall and a wooden mantle, or are there other options?
1 Answer
As a contractor, I'd recommend installing a double LVL 12" beam from the left to the right exterior walls. This would help distribute the weight and keep everything secure above the fireplace. It’s not too costly, just a few materials and an hour or so of work to install it. You might even use conventional 2x12 lumber since the span isn’t that long!
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll definitely bring this up with my contractor to see what he thinks.