Huge outdoor fireplace and patio project.

[C_Dave45]

Doing a very unique project right now up in Crescent Heights.

Using a new system from the US, called "GrateDex". A system of epoxy "grates" are attached to your typical joist framing. Then your finished tile or stone is "glued" onto the grate, leaving the joints un-grouted so the water can run right through. The water underneath is taken away from the house through weeping tile.

About twelve, 5' footings were placed under the framing. Under the fireplace is another concrete slab, poured overtop of 5' footings again.

On top of the patio is going to be a 5' high by 10' wide, 100,000 btu fireplace, covered with 3'x10' porcelain sheets.

Progress pics so far:

400 square foot patio
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10509706_10152190730491892_2468425567682936758_n.jpg


Epoxy grating attached
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10440763_10152190730691892_3100599425317210649_n.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/1919628_10152190730591892_5275578839355331887_n.jpg



16x24 Slate going down nicely
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10444364_10152191351856892_6245242065679625049_n.jpg



http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10502025_10152191352001892_6576630456132552849_n.jpg




http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10516680_740276236033639_7247002014498800578_n.jpg




http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/10447748_740276199366976_6145546076395564604_n.jpg



Fireplace is framed and ready for tile
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140728_111554.jpg


An eight foot firebox, that will house a 100,000 BTU gas fireplace
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140728_111608.jpg



3x10 foot porcelain tile!!!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140729_142714.jpg



Only 3.5 mm thick...hardest part is taking it out of the truck without snapping it in half. It's like glass
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140729_142927.jpg


And of course we pick the hottest week of the summer. A steady hand and a smooth blade....
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140729_160147.jpg


(to be continued......)

[avishal26]

nice! unique for sure. Should look great. The walkway down to the detached garage is broom finish concrete?

[Graham_A_M]

Holy shit, amazing. :thumbsup:

[Lex350]

cool....should be quite the thing for our climate

[C_Dave45]

Pretty much finishing up on this project. Just have to grout it up (not that there's much grouting to do! ;) )




http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140730_132019.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140730_132025.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140801_120120-1.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140801_171625.jpg



Not bad for cutting by hand!!
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140801_171124.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140801_171035.jpg


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Tile%20Work/20140801_171101.jpg

[D'z Nutz]

Wow, that's pretty awesome Dave! You're a master of your craft. How long will this project end up taking?

And out of curiosity, how will that porcelain hold up to hail?

[C_Dave45]

The deck took two of us 3 days.
The fireplace took the son and I, four days.

Once the porcelain is set with 100% coverage of thinset..you could give it a few good whacks with a hammer before you saw any damage. I doubt hail would do any damage at all.

Oh and btw...I still need to meet with you for the amp. I've just been SO busy!!

[D'z Nutz]

No worries, Dave! You clearly have other priorities at the moment!

[Kjonus]

Where can these grates be bought? What is the cost per square foot?

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Kjonus
Where can these grates be bought? What is the cost per square foot?

The complete grateDex system was $5,000 for 400 square feet. That is material alone. Labour extra. Builder drove down to Montana and brought everything back himself. http://www.gratedex.com/
Entire patio including fireplace, concete work, lumber, etc was probably around the 40-50 k mark.

[mr2mike]

Looks awesome. Only thing is deck doesn't really suit the house unless there's major reno's going to happen to the house. I'd hate to see someone come in and tear the place down and then have to remove that deck carefully.

Does the fireplace provide enough hear for the whole deck? If so, great alternative to having the patio heaters above.

[JordanEG6]

Subscribed.

Very nice, I can't wait to see more pics!