Replies

1. 
   Norse | Feb 21, 2005 08:32pm | #1

   What is it you're looking for?  Plans for building the frame for the drywall or finish ideas?  Usually, you set the unit and run the flue pipe, then frame for drywall and go with your favorite finishes.  I've seen tile and stone borders around the fire box.  Sometimes the framing steps back for a mantle shelf.  I just built a mantle for an old corner fireplace.  I used raisied panels on the sides, a top mantle board with crown molding and framed 4 panels with molding on the face board. 

   Norse

2. 
   Pugs | Feb 21, 2005 09:17pm | #2

   I simply arranged the box like I wanted then built the enclosure out of cement board (it was a zero clearance insert but I'm a bit cautious) Followed up by building the frame, using backer board to cover then the tiles of my choice and the wood trim and mantle I wanted. Followed it up with a bookcase on top of the mantle with leaded glass doors. I'll be happy to post a photo some place if that would help. I will give you one caution. I knew my house was not square (built in 1924) but you have no idea how out of square it is until you try and and center the firebox then realize that the top and bottom of the box have completly different spatial relationships with the sourrounding walls in multiple dimensions. You have to end up doing and awful lot of hand fitting of the edge but it all turned out looking pretty good.

   Allen

1. 
   jrusz | Feb 21, 2005 10:31pm | #3

   What I hope to do is build a frame out of probably 2x4 pine and then cover that with a birch plywood initially.  We are toying with the idea of man-made stone as a final finish!  Worst case finish would be stain!  So right now we are looking for plans to select ideas from!  My wife is a mechanical engineer and loves to "tweak" plans to fit her wants and needs, so I have resigned to the fact that this will be a truely unique set-up.  Using a ventless log  set, I won't be doing a flue, that being part of the reason for gas logs a cleaner look!

   !

3. 
   wilkesland | Feb 22, 2005 05:28pm | #4

   The October 2002 issue of Workbench Magazine carried an article about a "fireside retreat" which utilized a direct vented gas heater. While it is not a corner unit, I think it would be adaptable pretty easily. In fact, I remembered the article as being a corner unit, because it was on my long term list of projects to build something similar in the corner of our great room. Now we are going to sell the house - oh well.

   I just checked and they still have the plans for sale. Here is the link:  http://store.yahoo.com/plansnow/firesideone.html

   Hope you find this helpful.

   Regards

   Barry

4. 
   MarkRD | Feb 24, 2005 06:45pm | #5

   Before you buy the gas log set, consider a gas stove. I was set on a gas log set then went to the showroom and ended up with a heartstone. The Hearthstone web site is here: http://www.hearthstonestoves.com/Stoves/Gas/index.cfm?Prod=SantaFe
   (santafe is our model, they have several)

   The first photo shows the stove right after I installed the bamboo flooring around the tile.
   The second shows the room as it is now (including legos :-)

   Here is why I love this stove:
   Direct vent - does not use room air, fed from the outside but all with one pipe (pipe within a pipe)
   Heats fast.
   Takes less space than any fireplace we looked at
   Comes in many colors of iron and tile - the top and sides have tile inserts
   Runs on a microvolt thermostat (no electricity needed - great during power outages)
   works for Natural gas or propane (comes with the adapter hardware)
   Looks great
   The flame is so convincing, I've had people ask if it was a wood stove...
   Easy to install
   Total with pipes about $1200-$1600
   Pipes come in any color you are willing to paint (factory colors are black or metal, you paint to match your stove...
   the one downside, it gets really hot so you have to be careful with little kids

   
1. 
   jrusz | Feb 24, 2005 07:52pm | #6

      Great job Mark, looks like that room is cozy and useful now!  Bet the kids love it!  I have looked at wood burning stoves, gas stoves, etc,etc!  Already have the log set as my wife worked for a company that made them!  Have to agree with the realism comment, the makers of these kinds of units go to great lengths to make the flame look authentic! They even use slo-mo video!!!    I would like to know more about the bamboo flooring though if your don't mind, what is the cost per sq. ft.?? How easy was the install?  Thanks for your interest in my question.

    

   Regards, Ky Joe 

1. 
   MarkRD | Feb 24, 2005 10:29pm | #7

   I bought the wood back in March of '03. $3.29 a sq foot. I purchased it from Lumber Liquidators. Its called "Horizontal Carbonized" It's about as hard as Oak, it's only 5/8" (actually metric I think 12mm). Many floor nailers can not be set up for that thickness. Nailing it was a pain in the neck because I couldn't rent an air nailer for that thickness and the rented manual nailer kept breaking on me. Next time, I'd rent the nailer from Lumber Liquidators instead of the local rental place because they are likely to have one for 5/8" lumber.The last 120 square feet I drilled and nailed by hand with 8 or 10 penny finish nails, then went back and set them with a nail set. (sputter sputter groan moan :-)The finish scratches, about as easy as any, but it shows up more because the wood is fairly dark (the same scratches on red oak, white oak, or maple would be nearly invisible).Overall it looks great. It looked even better when there was no furniture, children, or legos in the room :-)Mark