"Rumfordization" of 1950's Fireplace

"Rumfordization" of 1950's Fireplace
Replacement of a rusted out heatalator
12/12/97

The rambler, built in 1954 had a double wall heat circulating metal fireplace form built in to the masonry. It was warped and rusted through in places and besides the massive painted brick surround extending 8" into the room looked heavy and dated and (in our opinion) ugly.

Once we got the old rusted metal fireplace cut out the firebox was laid out pretty much as it would be in new construction.

The firebrick was laid with premixed HeatStop refractory mortar.

Firebox finished and washed.

30" Rumford throat set. We were able to use the existing smoke chamber and clay 8"x12" flue although we did have to patch, parge and rebuild part of the smoke chamber using HeatStop II (the dry hydrolic refractory that can be cast or parged in thicker layers).

We used a Superior Clay Terra Cotta surround glazed white which still looked kind of 50's but, because of the shallow Rumford, it only projected into the room about 3" instead of the 8" the old brick surround encroached.

Finished in time for Christmas.

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