How To Install Our Panels On A Fireplace
Antico Elements` Stone Panels can be used in a variety of applications including refacing or building a fireplace.
There are two basic ways to use our panels and we'll explore both scenarios in this page:
-With our Corners
-Without our Corners ( mitering our Panels )
Tools needed: ( same as wood cutting tools )
• Measuring tape and pencil
• Saw ( a table saw, or circular with a straight edge are ideal for this project but other types will work too)
• Nails or screws ( exterior grade if used outdoor and "Tapcons" if installing on masonry, concrete or brick )
• Hammer (or screw driver/drill if using screws)
• Level
• Construction adhesive, E.G: Liquid Nails or PL.
• Safety Glasses
Click on the photos to enlarge them, then click your browser's Back button to come back here.
Below we'll use a brick fireplace as an example but these instructions will also work for existing stone, cement boars, plain studs and other materials. Our Stone Panels can be installed directly over these surfaces.
Original Fireplace
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The ideal installation ( not a requirement ) of our panels includes a 4"-6" frame around the firebox made of tiles or other heat-resistant material. You can use tiles, bricks, slate. Ideally this material should be a bit thicker than our panels, approximately 1/8" more.
Please keep in mind that our panels can be ordered in fire-rated material which is different from fire-proof therefore our panels should not be used inside the firebox area. We strongly suggest ordering the products in fire-rated for those areas that might reach high temperatures.
Please note that even with the fire-rated option, our products are not heat-proof or fire-proof. As a rule of thumb, if you are not comfortable using a piece of hardwood at that distance, you might want to consider increasing the clearance from the firebox of stove.
Frame around the opening
.Click HERE to view a real-life example of this type of frame.
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If you decide to use our Corners this is the step where you should install them:
Install the corners
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Once the corners are installed you can cut our panels to fit between them and cut the opening around the frame / firebox.
Install the panels left to right, bottom row first. The first panel should have the left side "fingers" removed, creating a straight line.
The best way to secure the panels is by placing a few beads of construction adhesive ( E.g. Liquid Nails or PL ) on the back of each panel AND where the panels overlap and interlock, then use some screws.
Make sure to blow off all the dust from where the adhesive will be applied.
Apply adhesive.
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We suggest using screws in the middle of the panel (possibly hiding them under a stone) and some around the edges, where panels interlock and overlap. You can cover the screw heads with caulking and paint them with our Touch-Up Kit.
Install the panels between the corners
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Install the rest of the panels.
If installing multiple rows of panels start from the bottom up. The next row up should start with half panel to stagger the vertical seam and create a better look:
Install all the panels
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If you have a raised fireplace with some space below the hearth you can use the left over material to fill that space. At the corners you can miter the ends of these strips or use a short section of our Corners:
Install the panels below the hearth
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This is how it will look at the end:
End of installation with corners
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If you decide not to use our corners the panels can be easily mitered at the corners. Please refer to our instructions on How To Create A Mitered Corner .
You can miter the end of the panels using a table saw, circular saw with a straight edge or other wood-cutting tools:
Mitering panels
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This is how your fireplace will look without our corners:
End of installation without corners
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Alternatives for treating edges around the firebox opening.
Other ways to treat the edges around the opening are:
- Cutting the panel flush with the opening.
- Create a narrow return going inside the opening.
If creating a frame around the opening is not part of your plan you can easily cut the panel flush with the firebox.
After createing the opening use a file or sand paper to round the edges and create some fake grout lines.
Cover the exposed edges with some caulking or Bondo and use our Touch-Up Kit to match the colors of each stone. This is actually very quick fun. See example below.
Cut the panels flush with the opening.
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The last method is to create a return inside the firebox. As mentioned before we do not advice using our products close to the heat source but if your fireplace is pretty deep and your return is just a few inches deep you should be OK. Please run a test by placing a piece of the panel or one of our Samples where the return will be.
Please follow our instructions on How To Create A Mitered Corner in our installation pages.
Miter the ends and create a return
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Once again, to finish the job smooth out the corners and use our Touch-Up Kit if needed.
Touch up the corners
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Congratulations! Your job is done and you can now enjoy an incredibly realistic stone look.
We are always available for comments and questions during any stage of your project.
Thank you for your interest in Antico Elements' products!
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Feel free to request additions and modification to these instructions. Send us a comment by clicking here to email info@anticoelements.com.
Thanks!
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How To Create A Mitered Corners
Antico Elements` Stone Panels are designed to interlock on all sides to create a seamless look.
When it comes to corners you have two choices:
-Use our Inside and Outside Corners, which are very easy to install,
Using our corners
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or:
-Cut a panel in the middle and wrap it around the corner.
Using our Panels to create a corner
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The instructions below are for the second option. Here is how you can cut and miter our panels to create a beautiful corner.
Tools needed: ( same as wood cutting tools )
• Measuring tape and pencil
• Saw ( a table saw, or circular with a straight edge are ideal for this project but other types will work too)
• Nails or screws ( exterior grade if used outdoor)
• Hammer (or screw driver/drill if using screws)
• Level
• Construction adhesive, E.G: Liquid Nails or PL.
• Safety Glasses
Click on the photos to enlarge them, then click your browser's Back button to come back here.
As mentioned above, the ideal saw for this particular project is a table saw BUT you can also use a circular saw with a straight edge.
The two important things to consider in order to create a professional looking corner are:
1- You must miter the edges of the panels that will intersect at the corner and,
2- Both sides of the corners should come from the same panel so that the stones will line up.
Start by measuring where to cut the left side of the corner on a panel. Remember that you should always measure and mark the back of the panels.
Cut the left section so that the back edge will line up with the corner on the wall.
Cut the right section.
You should be left with a triangular piece.
Cut a panel in two
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The edges that will intersect at the corner need to be cut at 45 degrees.
Miter at 45 degrees
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The best way to secure the panels is by placing a few beads of construction adhesive ( E.g. Liquid Nails or PL ) on the back of each panel AND where the panels overlap and interlock, then use some screws.
Make sure to blow off all the dust from where the adhesive will be applied.
Apply adhesive.
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Install the two halves of the panel to create the corner. Use construction adhesive behind the panels and at the corner joint. Secure with some screws making sure to minimize any gap at the front edge of the corner.
Install the two halves
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Using a file or sand paper smooth out the edges and excess material. If both sides of the corners come from the same panel you should have very little to sand.
Smooth out the edges
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If necessary use some caulking to seal the gaps and cover to exposed material.
Our Touch-Up Kit can be used to cover the caulk and the sanded areas by matching every color of the stones. Click HERE to view the instructions on how to use our Touch-Up Kit.
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Continue installing the rest of the panels, left to right, and repeat the above instruction for every corner.
For inside corners you can use similar procedure and by mitering the panels with the opposite 45 degree angle.
If installing multiple rows of panels remember to start the next row with half panel to avoid lining up the vertical seams in the same place.
Install our Top Sills if necessary. They add a very nice finished look.
Install the rest of the panels.
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Once all the parts are installed you may caulk all gaps to prevent water from sliding behind the panels.
Seal the edges
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Congratulations! Your job is done and you can now enjoy an incredibly realistic stone look.
As always, we are available for questions and assistance at any step of your project.
Thank you. Antico Elements.
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Feel free to request additions and modification to these instructions. Send us a comment by clicking here to email info@anticoelements.com.
Thanks!
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Installation Instructions For Interlocking Stone Panels
Antico Elements` Stone Panels are designed to interlock on all sides to create a seamless look. Even though the installation is very simple, make sure to read the instructions in order to avoid problems and gaps.
Animation
Before installations:
Always try to keep the panels leveled. The walls should be dry and free of dust. Some of the fasteners and adhesive should be used where the panels and lips overlap.
Tools needed: ( same as wood cutting tools )
• Measuring tape and pencil
• Hand saw ( a table saw, miter saw or jig saw can be used if available )
• Nails or screws ( exterior grade if used outdoor)
• Nail set
• Hammer (or screw driver/drill if using screws)
• Level
• Framing square
• Chalk line
• Construction adhesive, E.G: Liquid Nails or PL.
• Safety Glasses
Installing parts:
Prepare The Inside Corner
If you plan to use our corners start by installing them TEMPORARILY before the panels making sure they are perpendicular to the floor. For now just use a couple of nails and NO adhesive.
Position The First Panel
We recommend that you install the panels from left to right. For better results marks some horizontal chalk lines on the wall to keep your panels leveled.
Position the panels so that the horizontal 48" lip is at the top and the horizontal notch at the bottom.
The 24" left side of the first panel ( the one with the open lips) should be trimmed (square with the top or bottom edge of the panel) removing the fingers and creating a straight edge. Apply a few lines of adhesive and fasten the panel to the wall using screws or nails.
Install The First Row Of Panels
Continue with the rest of the panels of the first row. Trim the right end of the last panel to fit against the corner. It is always better to mark your dimensions in the back of the panels.
Proceed With The Next Rows
If installing multiple rows of panels, we strongly advice to cut the first panel of the next row in half, and use the right half with the straight lip. This is needed to stagger the vertical seams. ( This doesn't apply for Castello Panels )
Complete All The Rows
Continue until all the rows of panels have been installed in a straight line.
Mark the height of the corner at the same level as the top stone of the panel, not the top lip (see photo below).
Remove the corner and cut it to that mark. Lay some adhesive in the back of the corner and secure it back in place.
Cut The Corner's Heigth To Size
If you are not using our corners but you are mitering the ends of the panels to create a corner, please refer to the How To Create A Mitered Corner instructions.
Instal The Next Wall Of Panels
Install the rest of the panels on the opposite side of the corner the same way you did above.
Installing The Top Sills
Install the top sills in the correct direction making sure to locate the unfinished edge and placing it against the wall. The bottom front edge should be the finished one. If the sill isn`t touching the wall it should be turned. To create a better seam, the sills should be mitered where they meet at the corners.
In most cases caulking the seams shouldn`t be needed but you can apply any exterior grade caulk and use our Touch-Up Kit to match the stone colors.
Enjoy The Great And Very Realistic Stone Look
The great and rewarding finished look
Enjoy!
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Feel free to request additions and modification to these instructions. Send us a comment by clicking here to email info@anticoelements.com.
Thanks!
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