Plaster/render around fireplace

Leif

I've removed the fire back and rubble from my fireplace to reveal the builders opening, as I want to have a stove installed. I will install a slabbed granite hearth, and probably get a wood fire surround. The wall is flat up to the edge of the opening. At present the walls are plastered, with ~1cm pink undercoat plaster and ~3mm pink finishing plaster. I'm told this will fall off if left in place around the opening. Suggestions please as to how to fix this.

I am tempted to remove undercoat and finishing plaster from the wall area inside the surround, and replace with a heat proof render and plaster from Vitcas. Then paint with acrylic paint to match the room. Is this stuff hard to apply? I could always nail some wood battens to the inside of the opening and use a strip of wood to smooth the surface of the plaster (as for patching a ~6" hole in plaster). Or are there better materials to use? Please bear in mind that I have invisibly patched plaster (filled holes, cracks etc) but I am no plasterer or professional builder.

ormus

ive always used normal plaster on top of metal mesh backing.
never had a major problem. some small cracks after many yrs though. acceptable in my book.

Leif

ormus wrote: »

ive always used normal plaster on top of metal mesh backing.
never had a major problem. some small cracks after many yrs though. acceptable in my book.

Thanks. How close is the plaster to the stove in your house? My fireplace opening is 14.5" deep, 23" wide and 29" high. So there will not be much gap, and plenty of radiant heat on the wall, plus hot air streaming up the wall.

ormus

about 2 inches all round.

Leif

ormus wrote: »

about 2 inches all round.

Oh! Thanks, sounds like I should be okay then. I heard about cracking when someone had plastered inside the builders opening, but clearly that is going to be directly exposed to the heat.

NeverInDebt

Why are your bumping up old posts just to :spam: same product?

mipel wrote: »

i always use xxxxx plaster and never had problem. you shouldn't have any problems with applying it.

Leif

Lordy lordy, a zombie thread. Anyway, I had it plastered to the edge, with beading and bare brick inside the opening. After a year, used in winter, there are no signs of cracks. There is no use for Vitcas plaster. Plasterers have told me it is horrible stuff to use. Inside the opening, lime render will do the job.

cyclonebri1

I thought this was a recent thread, my reply was to be just plaster it "as normal";)