Fireplace

Seems like there is a sequence to everything. So to get to the final goal there are many steps, yet no progress can be made until we check off each task along the way. It's exasperating at times.

We have a two-story fireplace that was re-stuccoed during our remodel last year. Pictured is the downstairs fireplace-in the den where we have a TV and sectional. Before and after pics. Nice improvement huh?
So now, we had to get the chimney sweep to come. So that took a while.

Then we went to look at fireplace doors. Well, this became complicated. See the cut-out? So the door opening isn't exactly rectangular? This meant either a) we got an expensive custom door or b) we retrofitted the opening so that it was squared off. B was preferred as it would be to code, safer for the kids, and would help insulate this room in winter and keep it warmer (on the average cold winter day it is about 5 degrees cooler in this room than the rest of the house).

So we had a firm come in to bid on this little project. Then a subcontractor "fireplace guy" came over. Wouldn't touch the project, couldn't figure out why - thought it was because I was orchestrating this and these are "men's men" e.g. I wasn't in the "club" therefore not worthy of the job.

Went back and forth. Finally had the stucco contractor come in to do it. Seems the problem was, the hearth is beautiful yet fragile marble. This guy was mortified that they would cut into the brick and the hearth would break! Ahh-now this is making sense. But the lack of communication of the supposed real reason mystifies me.





So finally this week we got to this point. Before and after. Opening nicely squared off now.


But we're not quite there yet! There's some cement patching needed in the grooves and openings made when they cut out the brick.

Then the doors can be ordered and installed.

And all I wanted was to be able to have a nice fire. Not so simple it seems.