Using stone in the presence of fire

["Dawn Husemann" <dawn@zzzzzzzzzzzzzz>]

Hello all,

My name is Dawn, a novice to the world of stone, very new to the stone
industry and on a very steep learning curve.  I import and sell natural
stone products (sorry I don't work with stone but someone has to sell it)
Anyway I am rather hoping the networks knowledge can help me ensure I am
only giving best advice to my clients.

Anyway, I've been eavesdropping on the 'Using stone in the presence of fire'
conversation as this is particularly relevant to a problem we are having.  I
would appreciate any genuine independent guidance - ideally definitive - on
the use of different types of fire inserts with my solid carved limestone
fireplaces.

Over here (UK) depending on who you speak to and what they sell themselves
(and can therefore make money from) seems to determine the 'advice' I am
being given.  Because I am getting very conflicting information. I would
hate to mislead anyone and cannot afford to have to keep replacing
fireplaces that have cracked.

I would very much like to be able to offer my clients an unbiased pros and
cons of the different types of inserts and the effects they may have on the
surround, possible problems and solutions/remedial actions. So they can make
an informed decision as to whether or not to have a real stone surround.
Any information you can provide to help me with this would be greatly
appreciated.

Questions are:

Can you have a real open fire (coal or wood) with a solid limestone fire
surround and hearth?

Would it crack?

Would you have to prepare it or part of it in a special way to overcome the
problem?

If cracking is likely what can be done to eliminate or minimize the risk?

Can you have a free standing stove (coal or wood) with a solid limestone
fire surround and hearth?

Would it crack?

Would you have to prepare it or part of it in a special way to overcome the
problem?

If cracking is likely what can be done to eliminate or minimize the risk?

Some of my clients have been told, apparently categorically, that you cannot
have a limestone fire surround with a freestanding stove but I have been in
houses, usually period ones, that have old sandstone or limestone
firesurrounds and woodburing stoves in the middle and no signs of any
cracks?

I look forward to hearing from you and appreciate you sharing your knowledge
with me.

Best wishes

Dawn

Dawn Husemann
Director
All Things Stone Ltd
Anchor House
33 Ospringe Street
Faversham
Kent
ME13 8TW
Telephone: 01795 531001
Fax:  01795 530742
e-mail: dawn@--------------------

-----Original Message-----
 From: Tomas Lipps [tmlipps@-------------]
Sent: 21 May 2005 03:54
Subject: [stone] Re: Using stone in the presence of fire

interesting.

I once used (for 5 or 6 years) a limestone basin as a hearth.  it was
4 to 5 inches thick.  built hundreds of fires on it, kept some of
them going for days.  no problem.  also heated lumps of basalt, until
they were glowing red,  for heating sweat lodges. even poured water
on them.  no harm done there either.  perhaps other igneous rock
would work as well. after all it's experienced greater heat than than
it will in a fireplace.  I believe I've seen fireplaces built of
sandstone which would gradually deteriorate, but not explode or throw
hot spalls.  anyone have technical knowledge about which stone can
and can't be used?

tomas