My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

[Les]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Ken,

Did you tie the decorative brick into the firebrick? Also, in the pic's, it doesn't look like a standard thickness for a brick. Is that just the camera or did you use splits?

Les...

[PizzaJNKY]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Tear it out? No way Ken, your decorative arch looks very cool. I think Les and I both noticed the center brick looks like a firebrick. It really stands out...If it is, I love the idea.

[james]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I built my decorative entry arch this week. Well, it's not exactly an arch . I used a form but the shape turned out more like a triangle than an arch.

Ken,

I like it a lot. Way to go. If you want to put a little curve in it at the bottom -- you can use an angle grinder to finish it off. Brick is really grind-able. You can also grind the face of the bricks to get off all the mortar.

Congratulations.
James

[Frances]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

It looks great! I like the keystone, too. Cool shape - especially the way its a bit taller than the other bricks... you're going to leave that showing I hope.

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Off-topic question: do you have any noticeable heat loss into the cement that butts up against the firebrick at the entryway?

A little. The concrete landing near the vent landing measures around 150-190F during a fire and drops significantly as you move away from the oven. So there's definitely heat leaching out. Doesn't seem to be a big deal.

Did you tie the decorative brick into the firebrick? Also, in the pic's, it doesn't look like a standard thickness for a brick. Is that just the camera or did you use splits?

Les, on the sides I used brick ties (real ones this time ) to tie the structure into the studs behind the Hardibacker. On the arch I attached ties to the firebrick vent box with Tapcon concrete screws. I sure hope that was the right thing to do!!

You have a sharp eye. I didn't want the decorative arch to stick out a full brick width so I lopped off about a third of each brick with my HF saw.

...the center brick looks like a firebrick.

Actually, it's a chunk of "Mountain Stone", a concrete "stone" product. I'm going to finish the bottom of the oven stand with it to match the retaining walls around our pool. The keystone was supposed to be larger, but my mason skills didn't allow me to stick with my original plan .

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I like it a lot. Way to go. If you want to put a little curve in it at the bottom -- you can use an angle grinder to finish it off. Brick is really grind-able. You can also grind the face of the bricks to get off all the mortar.

Thanks James. The bricks are pretty clean, I just have a whitish haze on them that some Muriatic wash will take care of. I think I'll just leave the bricks shaped the way they are... gives it personality (and I don't want to grind off the factory skin on them).

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

It looks great! I like the keystone, too. Cool shape - especially the way its a bit taller than the other bricks... you're going to leave that showing I hope.

Thanks Frances. Yes, this time all the bricks remain showing!

[SpringJim]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

It's a keeper Ken...be proud of those handmade perfections!

[thebadger]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Ken,

Looks great! Not sure if it looks that much different in person but I kinda like the whitish look on the bricks - might go with your final finish materials???

I hope mine turns out just as nice.

Any tips you can give - since this is the few things that people will see?

Thanks
Dick

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Thanks Jim and Dick!

Dick, I'm going to shy away from giving advice in this area. I had my arch all planned out. Cut my bricks perfectly, laid them out on the garage floor; couldn't have looked nicer. After I added mortar, it turned out completely different; my keystone didn't even fit. I'll let the pro's suggest how it SHOULD be done!

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I built a soffit over the chimney vent box. The vent box protruded just a hair too far so I made a decorative addition .

I'll probably hang a little kokopelli or sunshine thingie on it.



Oh, I acid washed the arch bricks yesterday... I really like them brightened up.

[Les]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Looks good! One would think it was part of the design all along

Les...

[thebadger]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Ken,

Not sure of your final look but I had planned (before switching to the igloo) to do what you did).

I then was planning on installing a 12 round paver stone with a decorative pattern in it above the oven opening - where your soffit is.

Just a thought...

Looks great!

Dick

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

Not sure of your final look but I had planned (before switching to the igloo) to do what you did).

I'm not sure of what my final look is either!

I then was planning on installing a 12 round paver stone with a decorative pattern in it above the oven opening - where your soffit is.

OOooooh... COOL! Hmmmm..

[Ken524]

Re: My Old Kentucky Dome Enclosure

I started applying the stone veneer this afternoon. It goes on easily and quickly. A few more sessions and it should be done.