Masonry Magazine December 1992 Page. 42
MASONRY FIREPLACE same chimney at minimal additional for these highly corrosive gas fur-
Continued from Page 15
From a point of view, interior chimneys are more traditional and look more integral to the design of the house than the "tacked on" chimney options common on many modern tract houses. Designing houses so that the master bedroom is over the living room, or the family room shares a common wall with the living room, makes it possible to build two or more back-to-back or stacked fireplaces within the cost.
Incorporate masonry flues for gas furnaces: All masonry chimneys built in houses heated with gas should include a 4" round tile flue with belled joints for the new "mid-efficiency" gas furnaces which will be mandated in 1992. If a masonry chimney is to be built anyway for a masonry fireplace, running a tile lined gas flue is definitely better and cheaper than a short-lived B-Vent in a separate chase furnaces.
The "bottom line": Putting all this together so far, the masonry crew that is trained and supported by a masonry supplier and is already set up to build the foundation, could build a manufacturer designed and palletized fireplace and chimney in about a day for about $1,800-less if the chimney were within the house and could be built in part with block and backup brick. A 4" clay flue for a gas furnace would only cost an additional $200 or $300 and a second fireplace in the same chimney could be added for perhaps another $800.
Comparison of Costs
36" Fireplace With 20' chimney
| | Masonry | Metal |
|-----------------------|---------|-------|
| Foundation (slab) | $50 | $0 |
| Fireplace materials | | |
| 50 firebrick | $30 | Temco fireplace | $150 |
| FC mortar | 10 | Chimney (17') | 204 |
| damper | 30 | Cap/sp. ar. | 30 |
| throat | 20 | | $384 |
| sm. ch. | 50 | | |
| 15' flues | 80 | | |
| | 220 | | 384 |
| Chimney/enclosure | | |
| 200 4" block | $180 | Wood/plywood | $180 |
| stucco | 50 | metal top | 100 |
| | $230 | stucco | 175 |
| | | | 50 |
| Labor | | | $180 |
| 2 men/1 day | $500 | Installer | 700 |
| headers | 100 | chase | $575 |
| builder's time | 100 | | 75 |
| Total cost | | | 300 |
| | | $1,200 | 200 |
| | | | $1,139|
Mason goes in early. Metal later when more complicated. One day labor on masonry assumes accommodation with inspectors. Mantel/decoration same for both. Bottom line: Masonry safer, more durable, preferred by customers, easier for builder, accommodates chimney tops, and not much more expensive.
Fireplace
Seminar
"HOW TO EARN MORE MONEY while Building Better and Safer Fireplaces," is the title of the workshop Jim Buckley will present at Masonry Expo '93 in San Diego in February. This is what the expo program says about the workshop: "Surveys show that new home buyers overwhelmingly prefer real masonry fireplaces. Why then are most new homes built with metal, so-called "zero-clearance" fireplaces? Buckley, who is a member of the Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Association, will demonstrate a number of ways the industry is beginning to build better and less expensive masonry fireplaces-systematically. His slide presentation includes new fireplace designs, more efficient material handling systems, planning tips for builders and architects and, most importantly, new ways that manufacturers, masonry materials dealers and masonry contractors are working together to provide builders with the service they demand and a product we can proudly stand behind-the masonry fireplace."
Masonry & Concrete Consultants, Inc.
SERVICES-Analysis of Existing Problems
-Design Assistance and Testing
-Masonry Restoration
-Contract Claims-Expert Witness
-Experience Includes-Precast and Masonry Panels, Load Bearing Masonry, Glass Block, Marble and Stone
Contact: TURNER SMITH/5211 Berry Creek/Houston, Texas 77017/ (713) 944-1148
42 MASONRY-NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1992