Stacked Stone Fireplace: A Complete Guide

A stacked stone fireplace is a type of fireplace that stands out from other types because of its unique design.

The stones are stacked on top of one another, and the fireplace itself can range in depth depending on personal tastes and space.

This allows for an astounding variety in designs. It is a popular choice for homeowners because it is inexpensive yet durable.

This article will give you a complete guide on how to construct a stacked stone fireplace and the best design ideas.

Stacked Stone Fireplaces Out of Style?

Not at all. They are timeless, elegant, and provide heat in specific areas of the room that other fireplaces cannot reach.

You may have seen stacks of stone fireplaces being used from the early 1900s to the mid-1960s. But since then, the popularity of stone fireplaces has diminished dramatically.

Stacked stone fireplaces have been around for thousands of years, and people have used them for heating buildings and homes.

They are the perfect alternative to traditional fireplace designs that are typically limited in size.

So, even if they aren’t popular, people still use them because they can provide heat in more areas and lower costs than other designs.

How to Install a Stacked Stone Fireplace

Stacked stone fireplaces are ideal for rustic homes. The stacked stones have an earthy look, and the fire itself creates an inviting glow in the room.

Here are some steps on how to install a stacked stone fireplace:

Step 1: Plan your Stacked Stone Fireplace

Get an idea of the dimensions of the room you will be making your fireplace in. Measure out where each stone will go.

Depending on the design, sometimes, you will need to cut some of the stones to fit the space.

Place wooden boards along the length of the wall studs. Place stones on this board one at a time. Secure the stones with wood screws. Fill in any gaps with mortar or fasteners.

Step 2: Build the Fireplace Frame

Before you start building the fireplace, make sure you have arranged the stones on the floor to have a plan.

The frame is made of one-by-eleven boards. Set the first row of stones on the studs. Leave some room between each stone to ensure their stability.

Use the next row of stones and place them at an angle to fit in between two previous stones.

Step 3: Secure the Stones

When you are finished building your fireplace, place stones on top of the frame. Be sure that each stone is placed at an angle. The lower stones will be thicker than the top ones.

You can use wood screws and mortar to secure the stones. Use caution when securing the stones because they could break during installation if placed improperly.

Step 4: Finish and Seal the Stacked Stone Fireplace

Once you have finished building your fireplace, take some extra mortar and seal all of the joints. This process will make the fireplace stronger and more resistant to wear and tear.

You can also use some wood putty as an alternative. Once you have sealed the entire wall, could you give it a coat of primer?

Finally, paint the wall with a color that adds to the ambiance of your room. Use colors like reds and oranges that will make the room feel warm. The color combination will add beauty to your fireplace.

Cost to Install a Stacked Stone Fireplace

Don’t let your remodeling budget exceed your expectations. The stacked stone fireplaces are simple to install. The only cost you will have is for the supplies.

They can be purchased at a home improvement store or online. A typical wall of stacked stone fireplace material will cost between $500-$650 for 100 square feet.

	Basic	Better	Best
Material Prices	$525 – $550	$575 – $600	$625 – $650
Installation Cost	$825 – $835	$860 – $900	$950 – $1050
Total	$1350 – $1385	$1435 – $1500	$1575 – $1700

Source: remodelingexpense.com

Choose Best Color for Your Stacked Stone Fireplace

Stacked stone fireplaces are used in several designs. The biggest design element of these fireplaces is the color.

It is highly recommended that you choose a color that complements your décor and your room.

You can decide on the colors that best suit your room by consulting with a painter.

The colors used in the fireplace should be compared to your wall color, décor, and furniture color.

These are the best color combinations for a stacked stone fireplace:

• Brown/Silver – A brown color, like antique white or stone, is best with silver accessories. You can use silver candelabras and even toss in a few silver coins to add sparkle.
• Red/Gold – Red and gold make each other look good in a fireplace. This color combination can be used to enhance the ambiance of a room by adding warmth.
• Green/Blue – A green and blue fireplace will make the room look fresh and modern. This combination is used in some modern homes.
• Black/Gold – A black fireplace is a great way to make the room look elegant. Gold accessories bring out the best in this combination.

If you want to go with a unique color combination, you can use brown with gold or silver. You can also try using black with different shades of gold.

If you choose this type of combination, make sure it reflects well in the room.

Stacked Stone Fireplace Design Ideas

Although this idea is actually really classic and traditional, it also fits your contemporary interior.

So, how can you apply this idea very well, particularly in the living room? Check these out.

Wooden Furniture & Stacked Stone Fireplace

The stone on the fireplace area is actually enough to make the room has such a classic vibe.

But if you want this sense more, any other natural materials can just be placed around it.

A good example is presented in the picture above, in which there are two big cabinets on the sides of the fireplace.

Meanwhile, the other areas like the floor and furniture also have such a classic and natural look as it is seen from the earthy colors used.

This idea somehow makes the living room look darker.

So, you can brighten it up by applying a good and appropriate lighting system.

Middle-Age Look on the Fireplace Design

Don’t be too doubtful in combining one style to another.

There is no exact rule if a certain interior design must follow particular rules.

Even if you have applied the modern design to the living room, you can make it look more unique with some traditional vibes on certain spots.

The stacked stones are good ideas for this when you use them as the fireplace.

If you want, the ancient idea like middle-age design is excellent also.

Vintage Living Room with Big Stacked Stone Fireplace

This idea is basically still the same as the previous ones. The stacked stones here are only made quite bigger, almost on one side of the wall.

The hole for the fireplace is made in the more traditional look using a half-circle right in the middle.

You can apply it in a vintage living room anyway. To make it more exotic, place some decorations and interior accessories around.

Some of them can be put in front of the fireplace for sure.

Minimalist Spot with Stacked Stones Fireplace

Even if, in general, the stacked stone application is more about the classic look, it actually can also be designed in a more minimalist way.

The key point is about the fewer details and curvy accents on it.

Besides, it should be simpler and cleaner like by varnishing the stones.

The shabby and dull looks on the stones can fade away with the varnish as the finishing.

Some other ideas, including the square fireplace hole and devices like LED TV, tend to make the fireplace more minimalist as well.

The Exotic Living Room with a Shabby Fireplace

This one is the opposite of the idea in the previous point.

The stacked stones should not be varnished or decorated to make them look clean.

In contrast, finish it with a shabbier look. It easily depends on the look of old and of course it is really exotic.

If you can prepare furniture, fixtures, and decorations with a similar idea, it is a perfect idea.

Even for the floor, you may choose tiles with shabby colors.

Stacked Stone Fireplace for a Rustic Room Interior

This idea indeed really comes into people’s minds. Yes, the rustic home decoration is stunning, but it also looks quite dark. The budgets to realize this interior design is also not few.

Actually, it is not bad to apply the rustic style only in certain spots. One of them is the fireplace area.

Interestingly, the stack stone layers meet this idea well.

Then, deepen the rustic look by putting some preserved and dry plants in brownish colors.

Contemporary Living Room Idea with Some Natural Accents

The natural idea in contemporary interior design is demanded widely by people nowadays.

The reason is that they want to make the room feel more refreshing, just like in the open nature.

Stacked stone is a good idea to realize such a natural look. One of them is by applying to the fireplace area.

When you also have the dark wood flooring and some green houseplants, it will be perfect.

Classic Cottage-Like Living Room with a Fireplace in Stones

This can be for your real cottage. But if you want, your house in the urban area can use this idea also.

The living room may have a wooden-layered wall, wooden floor, shabby country furniture, and many more.

Next, complete it with a kind of fireplace in a similar idea.

Since not all of them may be made from the woods, the stones as the layers around the fireplace are an excellent idea to apply.

Simple Fireplace with Stones in Library

It is already known, of course, that the fireplace is basically functioned to warm up the room.

Well, it is when the fire is on. But have you ever thought to warm up the room even when the fire is off?

The most important way is regarding the design around the fireplace itself.

The idea of the stacked stone application is just recommended mainly if you still maintain their natural color.

Additional wooden furniture like bookshelves can make the room much warmer, at least psychologically.

Classic Fireplace for Outdoor Living Room

Maybe the outdoor living room or the patio needs such a fireplace as well. Just realize it with the application of classic-designed stones.

Middle-age style is amazing for this idea. Match such a fireplace with vintage furniture set around and floor with the same ideas.

When there are many plants and flowers around, your own living room can also be the right place for relaxing.

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DIY Outdoor Stacked Stone Fireplace

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Veneer Stone Fireplace Surrounds

Simple Gray Stone Fireplace Ideas

A White-Washed Stacked Stone Fireplace

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Stacked Stone Fireplace below LCD TV

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FAQs

How to hang a picture on a stacked stone fireplace?

It would be best if you prepare your fireplace for hanging art. To do this, make sure that the surface is clean and smooth.

Use a screwdriver to remove any nails that are securing the mantle to the wall. The nails can be placed back after you hang the frame.

Use a ruler to determine the size of your picture. Use a pencil to make lines on the frame where you will place the nails. Make sure that you place them in an area that is hidden by the bells of your frame.

How to clean a stacked stone fireplace?

It would help if you cleaned your fireplace once a year. To do this, you need to use a cleaning solution and mild soap.

If you are using a gel or foam product to clean the screen of your fireplace, you can use a damp rag to wipe down the surface. Do not use water directly on the stones.

Do not use abrasive cleaners on your fireplace. Choose one that is made of detergents or alcohol. You can also use a crystal that has antibacterial properties to keep it clean.

How to mount tv on a stacked stone fireplace?

You can mount your television by using an A-frame. You will need to measure the space between the fireplace and your television.

Cut a piece of cold foam to the size of the frame. Slide the television into the frame and secure it with a cable.

You can also mount your television using a wall mount bracket. If you want to secure your television to the walls, you can use an extension arm. You will need to screw the bracket into place to keep it secured.

You can also put up a floating mount that will allow you to swivel your television from one direction to the next.

Where to buy stacked stone for a fireplace?

You can purchase your stack stone from a brick supplier. You can check with your local building supply or hardware store to find them.

You can also visit a fireplace manufacturer and take a look at their catalogs to find stack stone.

Some of the most common stones are used to make stacked glass fireplaces. These include limestone, quartzite, and granite. Limestone and granite are stronger than other stone fireplace varieties.

Quartzite is a softer stone and can easily be scratched or broken when stacked for a fireplace.

How to paint a stacked stone fireplace?

To paint your fireplace, you need to use latex enamel paints. Ensure that you select a paint that is appropriate for the type of stone you are using.

You can choose from various colors, but it is best to use a color that complements your décor.

After you have selected the color for your fireplace, you need to apply it to the stone’s surface. Make sure that you mix paint well, so it runs evenly on your pan.

You can also apply a primer before you paint your fireplace to seal any cracks and chips. When painting your fireplace, make sure that you use a fine-tip sprayer to cover the entire surface.