The Faux Stone Fireplace...
Extraordinary Custom Designs!

The faux stone fireplace has come a very long way from  the hideously fake stone look of the 60s and
70s . . . . . . .

Thanks to  significant advances in product development and finishing techniques,  many of today's faux stone  hearths  are barely discern-
ible from the "real deal."     In fact,
the  best examples are virtually im-
possible  to  distinguish  from their natural stone counterparts!

Amazingly, a natural stone look can
be achieved with a variety of differ-
ent  materials  today,  including nu-
merous  blends  or mixtures of cast
and manufactured stone, concrete, gypsum and plaster. The versatility
of  these products,  particularly  in
the  hands  of  a skilled artisan,  is
truly mind boggling.

The  custom  and  semi-custom designs pictured on this page reflect the wide range of different looks that are possible with a faux stone fireplace. The  beautiful  example  above  with a smooth pearl marble finish is made
from  glass  fiber  reinforced gypsum (GFRG), a natural mineral mixed with water  and  glass fiber that can be finished to resemble limestone, marble and alabaster.

The two heavily carved examples below, also made from glass fiber rein-
forced gypsum, are finished to resemble travertine, on the left . . . and limestone, on the right.

The elaborate mantel at right is made from decorative  plaster and finished
to  resemble  highly  polished  marble
with carved and gilded accents.

Unlike gypsum or plaster, which can only be used indoors, most cast stone mixtures can be used both indoors and out, such as shown in the example at right, below.

The casting blends and finishing techniques employed to create many of today's cast stone  hearths are so advanced that they can closely repli-
cate the colors and textures of natural stone.    Similarly,  the fine hand carved detailing found in natural stone products can now be reproduced
in quality cast stone blends, as shown in the examples below.

One  cast stone type enjoying a resurgence in popularity is  Scagliola,  a mixture of crushed marble, limestone and travertine. Principally developed by  Italian monks in the 17th century,  it is virtually indistinguishable from hand carved quarry stone.   The fireplaces directly below, from Francois and Co.  (except bottom row, right),  are outstanding present day exam-
ples of that centuries' old art form.

See More striking mantels and surrounds from Francois and Co.!

If you're aiming for a less formal and a more casual look, such as the exam-
ple pictured below, please click here.

Regardless of the overall look and feel you're aiming for, you will find a wide range  of  quality  products  and skilled artisans to give you a very realistic natural stone appearance at a fraction of the cost.   Not only will you save on  the  cost  of the fireplace,  itself,  but due to the lighter weight of faux stone  products,  labor  costs will be considerably lower because you won't need  any  additional  footings  or  structural reinforcement to support your new custom or semi-custom faux stone fireplace.

If you're looking for the best there is in a present day custom faux stone fireplace, you need look no further than the quality products and highly skilled faux stone artisans behind the outstanding examples shown here. For more  information  about  any  of  these  amazing products and skilled artisans, please contact us.

Please check back often or  sub-
scribe to  our  RSS feed,  for  we continually add new images  as we  discover  exceptional   new talent to bring to you.    Also,  if
you know of  a  skilled  designer
or   artisan   that   you    believe should be featured here, please let us know.

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