Looking for the perfect home improvement project? Installing stone around a fireplace is a great way to transform an interior or exterior space, while adding character and value to your home. Read on for installation and safety tips, advantages of manufactured stone veneer and design ideas and inspiration.
Stone Veneer Fireplace DIY Installation
A DIY fireplace surround can easily be achieved with stone veneer, as it offers a versatile solution that complements home styles ranging from traditional to contemporary to everything in between.
Can You Use Evolve Stone for a DIY Install?
As a nailable, mortarless, color-throughout stone veneer, Evolve Stone is an extremely DIY-friendly product for fireplace installations. Depending on the complexity of your project, you can nail an Evolve Stone fireplace surround in as little as a day.
For fireplace installations, you will need to order our Class B fire-rated product. Each combination of our stone styles, colors and accessories is available in both non-rated and Class B fire-rated versions. When you place your order, be sure to specify if you need fire-rated products. While non-rated products are generally readily available, fire-rated products are made to order and may require additional lead time.
Stone Veneer Fireplace Installation Safety Guidelines Â
First and foremost, it’s important to check with your local fire code for any special regulations before installing stone veneer around a fireplace. From there, you’ll want to make sure you don’t use the material inside the firebox or on the hearth. If the fireplace is open burning, a non-combustible material gap needs to be maintained. There are multiple companies on the market that make metal firebox trim kits specifically for this purpose. Evolve Stone can be installed behind a wood stove; however, to be compliant with building code, the stove should be 36” away from the stone face.

Natural Stone vs. Manufactured Stone Veneer
When it comes to installing natural stone vs. manufactured stone veneer, there is a big difference when it comes to ease of install, workability and design possibilities.

Versatility
When it comes to installation and design possibilities, manufactured stone veneer, like Evolve Stone, is much more workable than natural stone. Evolve Stone’s engineered easy-to-install patterns are very versatile and can be customized to fit any installation field, especially when it comes to complicated areas such as intricate molding, arches or obstructions. To make specialty cuts with Evolve Stone, all you’ll need is standard woodworking tools, as it cuts like balsa wood.

Ease of Install
Since Evolve Stone doesn’t require the use of mortar, lath or hardware, it installs up to 10X faster than natural stone. All you’ll need for your installation is an appropriate substrate for your application, finish nails and a finish nailer, standard woodworking tools, a hammer and a level. Unlike natural stone or even other stone veneer systems, Evolve Stone doesn’t cause you to work against gravity during installation. This allows you to install the product bottom-up or top-down and properly hide your cuts in the most visible area. To learn how to install a stone veneer fireplace, check out our installation tips blog.
Stone Veneer Fireplace Ideas & Tips
Discover how you can elevate interior and exterior spaces with an Evolve Stone fireplace. Visit our products page to see the endless combinations our distinct stone patterns and exquisite colors offer.

Color
With Evolve Stone’s color-throughout and texturable material, you can truly get creative with your fireplace installation. Our colors range in hue from cool and sleek to warm and organic, offering something for virtually any home style. Plus, if you’re looking to truly add a “wow” factor to your fireplace, we recommend blending our colors with a 50/50 or 80/20 ratio.

Stone Patterns
Whether you’re looking for a more uniform, linear look or an offset, organic feel, our stone veneer patterns will complement your personal taste. Before starting your installation, we recommend laying out your stone’s pattern. For a more in-depth look at this process, visit our video page and select the dedicated stone style video to see the pattern come to life.
