Should You Put in a Fireplace Before or After Plastering?

Giovanni Valle is a licensed architect and LEED-accredited professional and is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). He is the author and managing editor of various digital publications, including BuilderSpace, Your Own Architect, and Interiors Place.

Installing a fireplace can be a daunting task. There are many steps to the process, and you need to be sure that you take on these steps in the correct order to avoid structural problems and other issues. One common question is whether a fireplace should be installed before or after plastering.

You should put in a fireplace after plastering. Fitting and installing a fireplace after plastering will reduce any cracking and issues with the entire installation process. Additionally, further decorating and embellishing will be easier to accomplish if you take on the project in this order.

This article will talk about why fireplaces should be installed after plastering occurs. Keep reading to learn more about the whole fireplace installation process and the steps you need to take to install a fireplace in your home.

Why Plastering Comes Before Fireplace Installation

Fireplaces are meant to endure large amounts of heat. Wet plaster cannot withstand this heat, so you need to make sure that you install and set the plaster before you install the rest of the fireplace and before you set any fires.

Choosing the Right Plaster for Your Fireplace

The plaster that one chooses should have the capability to withstand high levels of heat without cracking.

Ordinary finishing plaster will crack if installed and be useless for a fireplace. If the heat doesn’t crack the plaster, it’ll cause other damage to the stability of the fireplace. Heat-resistant plaster made for fireplaces or even using fireproof cement can be helpful.

Individuals may want to consider having a proper rendering completed for the area by a professional before installing a fireplace. If not, it’s best to get a professional opinion, at the very least.

When choosing your plaster, finding a solution that works for heat is encouraged. Here are a few plastering examples for fireplaces:

Fireproof Cement
Vitcas Fire Proofing Plaster
Everbuild Heat Resistant Plaster

Although finishing plaster is usually not recommended, British Gypsum Multi-Finish Plaster is a plaster that tends to work well with fireplaces. If you’re looking for a plaster that’s more aligned with finishing plaster, this one might be one to try.

Installing a Fireplace Surround

The process of installing a fireplace comes with many essential steps. One of those steps is installing the fireplace surround.

The fireplace surround is the piece of the fireplace that comes out from the fireplace’s opening. This component can be utilized as a shelf or just as decoration.

Fireplace surrounds can also help contain smoke so the room doesn’t fill up with fumes. It also helps create space between the fire and the rest of the room.

Sometimes, people will refer to the fireplace surround when they speak about the hearth, legs, and mantle of the fireplace. The fireplace surround can help provide aesthetic design to your fireplace, making it an essential centerpiece in the room where it is being installed.

Fireplace surrounds are not necessary for all fireplaces, but most people choose to add them. They can be built during the entire construction of the fireplace or added on afterward with screws.

The choice to have a fireplace surround will be up to the individual choosing to install the fireplace.

Installing a Firebox Chamber

All types of fireplaces require a lengthy installation process. Anyone can safely tackle this task with the proper knowledge and tools to accomplish the installation.

Investing in a firebox chamber is the first step in installing a fireplace successfully. A firebox chamber is the area where the burning occurs.

Many companies sell prefabricated fireboxes. These fireboxes are made well, cost-effective, and easy to install. Prefabricated fireboxes are held through a sheet metal system and suspended or held in place.

It is essential for individuals installing a firebox on their own to educate themselves on the spacing requirements before tackling this step. Venting, framing, and following procedure for proper combustible clearing is essential.

Sometimes, the advertised spacing for a fireplace is the actual fireplace that a person sees rather than the open air surrounding the firebox. When considering the size of your fireplace, owners should consider this.

After installing your firebox, individuals can move on to the next step of framing the fireplace. The framing of a fireplace is the process of nailing down the structure into place, and the framing will ultimately set the entire structure.

Building a combustible platform might be necessary to add to the framing if placing the fireplace on the floor is not allowed for combustible reasons. Following along with the instructions or consulting a professional is recommended.

Adding Ventilation

Although plastering, framing, and adding aesthetic additions to a fireplace are necessary, one of the most important parts of installation is venting the fireplace.

When your fireplace is lit, the fumes from that fire need a place to escape. If not, you might have a massive mess on your hands. Although this process has many essential steps, the venting collar is the most valuable ventilation part.

The venting collar initially helps connect your fireplace with the piping that will go through your roof. Depending on your specific fireplace, how you attach and install ventilation may be specific. However, with the proper instructions, this process can occur smoothly, and then your ventilation pipe can attach.

As you walk along this process, it is essential to make sure that you are observing the process and following along with combustible requirements. The venting pipe should be secure all the way through the top of the ceiling, where a firestop can be added.

Final Thoughts

Fireplaces are unique and great for anyone looking to add something inviting to their home.

Whether you choose to plaster and install a fireplace yourself or hire a professional, the process can be enjoyable for everyone involved. The most important thing to remember is to plaster before installing the fireplace.

After that, the fun will begin, and designing your home can be as easy as 1-2-3.