One of the neat projects we're working on to create some real uniqueness in our house is a custom slate fireplace. My father had built one in his house some 15 years ago and fortunately still had the original design in his files. We purchased the same fireplace insert from Napoleon (NZ26) and like the height that it sits in this mantel. The fireplace also carries lots of nice memories.
First step was locating sources of slate in Vermont and NY. After searching on the Internet, I came across these companies:
- Vermont Natural Stoneworks
- Sheldon Slate (this was where my father got his slate)
- Vermont Slate Depot
- Vermont Marble & Slate
- RMG Stone
Next I drew up a spec sheet of the different blocks I would need cut and whether to have the surface be "natural" meaning hand cut and with a rough natural look or "honed" aka "gauged" meaning cut and sanded smooth. Our mantel will have rough faces on everything facing you except the top shelf which will be honed, and the rest all honed.
Prices vary widely by manufacturer with Vermont Natural Stoneworks coming it the best so far. I've ordered some samples of their stone, black and "grey strata" aka "J grey" which is the grey with black specs/fossils in it. Unfortunately we're going to get hammered with high shipping costs all the way to California, but c'est la vie. It should be well worth it. Brian of Structural FX assures me it will be no problem to install this.
