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How to Install a Gas Fireplace-Planning and Preparation Cont'd
Even after nails are driven home, you can still make minor adjustments to the corner beads’ alignment by bending the nail one way or another with a nail set. Buy 120-degree metal bead for angles greater than 90 degrees and special fillable L-bead to finish the drywall edge against the fireplace. You’ll have to staple the L-bead to the drywall above the fireplace and rely on the joint compound to hold it in place.
It’s all downhill after the corner bead is done. Cover the inside corners and joints with paper drywall tape embedded in joint compound. Then fill the slight valleys between the metal edges of the bead with joint compound. Because of shrinkage, the taping and filling process requires at least three coats, with drying time in between, so be sure to allow a few days to finish.
Premixed Texture Makes You Feel Like a
Master Plasterer
We decided to apply a sandy, plaster-like finish to the
drywall on our fireplace. There are a dozen ways to accomplish this look. We
chose an acrylic-based product manufactured by USG that’s typically used
as an exterior finish. The USG Exterior Textured Finish is available in five
textures, from fine to coarse, and 25 standard colors. A premixed 5-gallon pail
costs about $45 and is more than enough for a project like this. To find
acrylic texture finish like this, check the Yellow Pages for a drywall or
stucco supply dealer in your area or see the Buyer’s Guide below. You can
also get special corner beads from the dealer.
Troweling on the texture is a messy operation, so mask off the walls and floor and put on some old clothes before you start. First prime the walls with a top-quality drywall primer. When the primer is dry, use a wide trowel to spread a thin layer of the premixed texture over an entire section, stopping at a breaking point like a corner. Next you’ll float the area to impart texture and smooth out the trowel marks. If you’re working in hot, dry conditions, start floating immediately. Otherwise you may have to let the texture mix set up for a few minutes. You’ll have to experiment a little to see what works. We used a square of extruded polystyrene foam insulation to float the texture, but a grout float, wooden block or hard plastic trowel also will work. Each tool gives a little different texture. Practice on a large scrap of drywall to get a feel for the material and refine your floating technique.
Work from the top down to avoid splattering on completed texture. Clean up the spills and splatters before they dry and occasionally clean your tools and float in a bucket of water to avoid a buildup of dry texture mix. If you do mess up a section, it’s no big deal—just scrape it all off before it dries and start over with fresh texture mix.
When the texture is dry, usually overnight, you can assemble the log set and light the fireplace. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the exact procedure. If necessary, ask the plumber to help you light the pilot and fire up the burner. The smell of burning oil will go away once the factory residue burns off.
Shopping for a Gas Fireplace
The fireplace we’re using, and the type we recommend,
is a direct-vent fireplace. This type draws air from outdoors to feed the
flame. Not only is this setup more efficient because you’re not losing
valuable heated air up the chimney, it’s safer too because it greatly
reduces the possibility of dangerous carbon monoxide backing up into your
home.The best place to shop for fireplaces is at fireplace dealers that have
showrooms with working models on display. You’ll be able to see how the
artificial logs look when they’re burning and pick a fireplace style you
like.
Buyer’s Guide
A few manufacturers of gas
fireplaces:
Heat-N-Glo: (612) 985-6000. www.heatnglo.com
Kozy Heat: (800) 253-4904.
Heatilator: (800) 843-2848. www.heatilator.com
Majestic: (800) 227-8683. www.majesticproducts.com
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