Step 1: Pry off mantel

giving a fireplace a facelift
Photo: Brian Wilder
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• If the mantel is to be reused, mark its outline on wall and floor.

• Use prybars to gently remove mantel from wall (as shown).

• Make sure all wood framing and lath are at least 2 inches away from the firebox opening, as required by code.

Tip: This is a good time to consider building or buying a new mantel.
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    • Demolition hammer
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    • suction cups
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      for moving heavy slabs of stone
    • notched trowel
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    • mallet
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    • circular saw
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    • jigsaw
      Jigsaw

    Shopping List

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    1. STONE SLABS
    Make cardboard templates of the pieces you'll need and take them to a fabricator that specializes in stone countertops.

    2. TILE
    Make cardboard templates as you would with stone, and then plot the layout of the tiles on these. This will give you an exact count, but order extra.