Our kitchen renovation continues, and we are approaching the wood-burning stove. It is currently tiled and connected to a chimney breast that is smoothly plastered and painted (I believe this was done in the 1940s). My idea is to remove the tiles and replaster both the stove and the chimney breast so that they become a single unit. We want a softer feel (slightly rounded corners) and at the same time a coarser surface (a bit like the effect you get with textured plaster). All of it should be white.
1. What sort of plaster should be used? Gypsum is recommended by many. An advantage is that it is naturally white and heat-resistant.
2. Do I need to remove all the old plaster from the chimney breast? There are some cracks where I will obviously remove anything that's loose, but otherwise, the plaster seems to be firmly attached. In that case, perhaps Gypsum Primer would suffice?
3. How do you achieve a nice finish against the floor? Currently, there is a "ledge" that is tiled. Maybe one should skip it and plaster straight down to the floor? Our idea is to place a black metal sheet as a spark guard.
Very grateful for any thoughts and ideas!
1. What sort of plaster should be used? Gypsum is recommended by many. An advantage is that it is naturally white and heat-resistant.
2. Do I need to remove all the old plaster from the chimney breast? There are some cracks where I will obviously remove anything that's loose, but otherwise, the plaster seems to be firmly attached. In that case, perhaps Gypsum Primer would suffice?
3. How do you achieve a nice finish against the floor? Currently, there is a "ledge" that is tiled. Maybe one should skip it and plaster straight down to the floor? Our idea is to place a black metal sheet as a spark guard.
Very grateful for any thoughts and ideas!
I would plaster straight down to the floor. The disadvantage of plaster, especially on the wall behind the stove, is that it will get dirty. It cannot be cleaned without painting to make it look nice again.
In the 1940s, lime plaster was surely used and painted with lime paint or glue paint, but it should be possible to use almost any type of plaster as long as it is not stronger than the substrate. That is, if there is old lime plaster remaining, it should be plastered over with lime plaster, but if the old plaster has been removed down to the brick, you can use B- or C-plaster, for example. Gypsum plaster is also likely suitable.
Keep in mind that the hearth area should be at least 30cm out from the stove. What you have now is insufficient and could be rejected by the chimney sweep at any time.
In the 1940s, lime plaster was surely used and painted with lime paint or glue paint, but it should be possible to use almost any type of plaster as long as it is not stronger than the substrate. That is, if there is old lime plaster remaining, it should be plastered over with lime plaster, but if the old plaster has been removed down to the brick, you can use B- or C-plaster, for example. Gypsum plaster is also likely suitable.
Keep in mind that the hearth area should be at least 30cm out from the stove. What you have now is insufficient and could be rejected by the chimney sweep at any time.
Thank you for your response!
We don't use the stove very much (once a year or so) but still want to keep it because it's nice and fits well in the house. We must have a very tolerant chimney sweep since just a month ago the linoleum flooring was all the way under the stove.
I've read up a bit more and I'm afraid that gypsum plaster might be too smooth. We want a slightly rougher surface, so perhaps it's best to go with lime plaster?
We don't use the stove very much (once a year or so) but still want to keep it because it's nice and fits well in the house. We must have a very tolerant chimney sweep since just a month ago the linoleum flooring was all the way under the stove.
I've read up a bit more and I'm afraid that gypsum plaster might be too smooth. We want a slightly rougher surface, so perhaps it's best to go with lime plaster?
You should use the stove more. It is perfect for Woking. Remove the stove rings/burner and place the wok pan in the hole. Much better than using an electric or induction stove! When you have to cook a lot of food, like during Christmas preparations or parties, it's also perfect to have access to two stoves.
You are probably right - but the stove is in our summer cottage so there won't be much Christmas food there. ;-)
But a wok sounds like a good idea!
Anyone have thoughts on gipsputs vs. kalkputs in this case?
But a wok sounds like a good idea!
Anyone have thoughts on gipsputs vs. kalkputs in this case?
After some research, I've decided on lime plaster, type Weber Cal 142
http://www.weber.se/fasad-puts-och-murbruk/produkter/produkter/putsbruk/webercal-142-kalkbruk.html
The question now is which paint I should use. I want a paint that can withstand heat from the chimney, is breathable, doesn't chalk too much, and preferably can be wiped clean. Is there such a paint?
http://www.weber.se/fasad-puts-och-murbruk/produkter/produkter/putsbruk/webercal-142-kalkbruk.html
The question now is which paint I should use. I want a paint that can withstand heat from the chimney, is breathable, doesn't chalk too much, and preferably can be wiped clean. Is there such a paint?
I would use plaster as it is much easier to work with and becomes less messy since you don't need to "throw" on the mortar.
Where there is wood or a risk of movement, you can apply reinforcing mesh before coating.
Regarding paint, silicate paint is preferable.
Where there is wood or a risk of movement, you can apply reinforcing mesh before coating.
Regarding paint, silicate paint is preferable.
The reason I chose not to use gypsum plaster is that it becomes too smooth. I want a surface with character. Additionally, it doesn't feel right to use gypsum on an old chimney. There is no wood in the chimney.
From what I understand, silicate paint becomes too hard on pure lime plaster, and there is a risk of it cracking. Lime paint seems the most suitable, but I am a bit concerned about the chalking.
From what I understand, silicate paint becomes too hard on pure lime plaster, and there is a risk of it cracking. Lime paint seems the most suitable, but I am a bit concerned about the chalking.
I think you should clean around the stove and just oil the bricks on the chimney, I think it looks awesome... (even though we have plastered most of our chimney and will build up the wood stove with concrete blocks and plaster)
edit: we haven't oiled our bricks yet
edit: we haven't oiled our bricks yet
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From what I understand, the chimney itself must be plastered, but the part to the left of the wood stove does not contain any smoke channels, so we will probably leave it unplastered. Very similar to your picture, in other words.