Enjoying a fireplace made of reclaimed curbing - we could watch that show all day!
Picking the Pieces to Meet the Specs
A fireplace surround is usually the focal point of an interior project. A good-looking fireplace can completely change the look and feel of a room. Our client called us looking for a few pieces of antique stone to match the historical character of her living room. We worked with her to find the perfect match for her desired result, providing the project with two pieces of generation 1 granite curbing that each had a heavy patina on it from our storage yard. The measurements of the pieces were very specific to fit into the fire box. The first piece was to be used for the mantle, measuring 72” long x 14” wide x 5” thick. The side pieces would be cut into two pieces, so they matched, measuring 35” long x 10” wide x 5” thick. The natural face would be exposed on the outside of each side. Each saw cut needed to be flamed/thermaled, so it had a natural appearance as opposed to a smooth cut face. In order to make these pieces match the specs of the project, we created a drawing for our shop to fabricate.
Generation 1, reclaimed granite curbing picked out in the yard.
Client looked for a used piece of granite with attractive patina
A rough draft of the shop drawing was used to fabricate the curb to meet the specs of the fireplace surround
Fabrication
There were several challenging dimensions to cut on the curb pieces for the fireplace surround which put our saw shop staff to the test. We were able to successfully fabricate each piece by using a bridge saw with a wet milling wheel cutting several passes out of the granite stone. This was a slow process, taking several hours for each piece. All in, the mantle and two side pieces of the fireplace surround were perfectly completed for the contractor to install on site.
Milling wheel fabricates the antique granite curbing into a fireplace surround.
Fabricated salvaged stone is milled and cut to spec for client’s fireplace.
Fireplace installation, making a house into a home
After completing the fabrication in our saw show, our team safely packaged the curb pieces and shipped them to their destination. Upon arrival, the contractors carefully installed each piece around the fire box in the living room of our client’s house. The antique, reclaimed curbing with rich patina will now add authenticity to the historic character of the room. This project was a joy to be involved with and we hope to have many more like it in the future – finding new life for curbing as fireplace surrounds!
Experienced Brick and Stone