Houston Outdoor Fireplaces

Thousands of satisfied customers
Local and family owned
+15 years in business
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Certified Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing in Houston, TX

Cracked tile, dated brick, or a smoky firebox can turn a focal point into a frustration. We design and install code-compliant surrounds that look stunning and perform safely. From marble and cast stone to thin brick and porcelain slab panels, our team delivers clean lines, proper clearances, and a durable finish built for Houston homes.

At Houston Outdoor Fireplaces, our NFI- and CSIA-certified pros bring 15+ years of experience to every project. We follow NFPA 211, IRC R1001/R1003, and ASTM C1780/C1088, and protect your home with HEPA dust control. We’ve completed projects across River Oaks, Memorial, Montrose, and The Heights. For Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing Houston TX, count on us for precise installation, smart design, and on-time results. Contact us for a free, no-pressure estimate and design consult.

Why Our Professional Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing Deliver Beauty, Safety, and Longevity

You want a fireplace that elevates your room, meets code, and lasts. Hiring professionals for fireplace surround installation protects your home and investment. We combine certified expertise with meticulous craftsmanship to solve common problems - loose veneer, out-of-code mantels, stained mortar, and heat damage - while creating a centerpiece you’ll love. With our fireplace surround and masonry finishing services, you get clear timelines, code-ready plans, and a finish that stands up to everyday living.

Safety & Risk Elimination

Fireplaces mix heat, masonry, and sometimes gas or electric - there’s no room for guesswork. We design to NFPA 211, IRC hearth and clearance rules, and UL-listed appliance requirements. That means non-combustible zones are respected, mantel projections are verified, and hearth extensions are sized correctly for your firebox or insert.

We protect your home during work with plastic containment, HEPA vacs, and OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153 silica controls. Example: a 1930s Montrose project had failing mortar and a smoky firebox. We parged the smoke chamber with refractory mortar, repointed joints, and re-set the surround - eliminating smoke rollout and improving draft immediately.

Professional Results & Quality

Great finishes start with great prep. We handle substrate correction, lath and scratch coat thickness (1/2–3/4 inch), and adhered veneer per ASTM C1780. Thin brick meets ASTM C1088, and natural stone gets sealed for stain resistance. We laser-level layouts, back-butter veneer, and tool joints for clean, consistent lines.

Materials matter. We install cast stone, marble, limestone, slate, quartzite in non-combustible zones, and large-format porcelain slabs (Neolith, Dekton-style) with heat-rated adhesives and planned expansion joints. The result: crisp reveals, tight miters, and a finish that still looks sharp years later.

Time & Stress Savings

We streamline the entire process - design guidance, samples, shop drawings for custom surrounds, and coordination with licensed trades. Most refacing projects finish in 2–4 days; more complex stone feature walls run 4–7 days. We protect floors and furniture, and we handle debris removal so you don’t have to.

You avoid the learning curve, tool rentals, and callbacks. Our team brings the right saws, grinders with dust shrouds, mixers, trowels, jointers, and laser levels - plus the experience to prevent lippage, cracking, and crooked lines.

Cost-Effective Solution

Precision now saves money later. Proper base prep and expansion planning prevent cracks and delamination. Correct clearances protect finishes from heat discoloration and smoke stains. We repoint loose mortar before it becomes a full rebuild and seal porous stone to prevent etching.

Example: a Spring Branch refacing was quoted a tear-out elsewhere. We preserved the substrate, added metal lath, and applied an engineered scratch coat - cutting the client’s cost by 28% while improving performance.

Peace of Mind & Warranty

We’re fully insured, background-checked, and active members of HPBA and GHBA. Our installers hold NFI and CSIA certifications, and we follow manufacturer instructions for direct vent and electric systems. You get documented clearances, care instructions, and a written workmanship warranty.

We stand behind our work with clear communication and post-install support. If something isn’t right, we fix it. That accountability is why homeowners across Greater Houston refer us year after year.

How Our Fireplace Surround Installation & Masonry Finishing Process Works

We make the process simple, transparent, and code-compliant from day one. You’ll know exactly what to expect and when.

1) Consultation & Code Review – We assess your firebox/appliance, discuss materials, and review NFPA/IRC clearances and any permit needs in Houston.
2) Design & Detailed Estimate – We share samples, create layouts or shop drawings for custom surrounds, and provide a fixed-price estimate.
3) Site Protection & Prep – We protect floors/furniture, handle demo, substrate correction, and install lath and scratch coat where required.
4) Precision Installation – Veneer, slabs, or cast stone are set with proper adhesives and techniques; joints are tooled and stone sealed as needed.
5) Final Walkthrough & Warranty – We review clearances, care, and maintenance; then leave the space spotless and ready to enjoy.

Why Choose Us for Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing in Houston

Houston Outdoor Fireplaces combines certified hearth expertise with master-level masonry. Since 2009, we’ve completed 2,000+ fireplace projects across Greater Houston. Our team holds NFI and CSIA credentials, follows NFPA 211 and IRC hearth rules, and installs to ASTM standards. From marble mantels to large-format porcelain panels, we deliver safe, beautiful results - on time and on budget - for Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing Houston TX homeowners.

Certified Expertise & Qualifications

Our installers carry NFI Gas/Wood/Pellet certifications and CSIA credentials for chimney and fireplace systems. We’re active members of HPBA, GHBA, the Texas Masonry Council, and MCAA. This ensures we’re current on materials, adhesives, and evolving code requirements for factory-built and masonry fireplaces (UL 127, UL 103, UL 1618).

We design surrounds that respect appliance listings and clearances, handle smoke chamber parging, and perform tuckpointing with proper refractory materials where required. You get documented compliance and a surround built to last.

Licensing, Permits & Safety Practices

Need a direct vent or gas line? We coordinate licensed trades: TSBPE-licensed plumbers for gas and TDLR-licensed electricians for electric fireplace circuits. We manage Houston permits for vented fireplaces (Dec 1, 2023 update) and schedule inspections so you don’t have to.

On site, we use containment, HEPA vacuums, and dust shrouds to control silica. Our team wears PPE and follows OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1153. Your home stays clean, and your installation stays safe.

Equipment, Materials & Techniques That Perform

We bring the right tools: wet saws, angle grinders with diamond blades, laser levels, grout bags, and jointers. Our methods include metal lath and WRB layering where appropriate, 1/2–3/4 inch scratch coats, back-buttering veneer, and top-down installs for tight joints.

Materials we install: cast stone, marble, limestone, slate, thin brick, cultured stone, Austin/Lueders natural stone, porcelain slabs (Neolith/Dekton-style), and refractory firebrick inside the firebox. We seal natural stone and plan expansion joints for slab systems to mitigate thermal movement.

Local Knowledge & Jobsite Experience

We know Houston’s homes - from River Oaks limestone and West U thin brick to modern Uptown linear fireplaces. Painted masonry? We mechanically roughen surfaces for bond. Historic plaster? We protect it with careful demo and ledger-supported layouts.

Outdoor projects face heat and humidity. We use appropriate mortars, hot/cold weather procedures, and breathable sealers to help your veneer resist Houston’s climate.

Customer-First Warranty & Communication

We provide clear timelines, daily updates, and a tidy jobsite. Most projects finish in 2–5 days, depending on scope and materials lead times (custom cast stone often 3–4 weeks). Our workmanship warranty backs every install, and our punch-list process ensures you’re delighted before we call it complete.

Post-project, you receive care instructions and maintenance tips. Need help years later? We’ll be there - just like we are for our many repeat clients.

Precision Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing Backed by Years of Local Experience

We specialize in Fireplace Surrounds & Masonry Finishing across the Greater Houston area - from traditional masonry restorations to sleek modern feature walls. Our team handles indoor and outdoor projects, direct vent linear systems, electric media walls, and custom cast stone mantels. Whether it’s marble in River Oaks or a large-format porcelain slab in Memorial, we tailor materials and standards to your home and lifestyle.

Types of Fireplace Surround Projects We Handle

Residential: refacing dated brick with thin brick or stone veneer, installing cast stone mantel-and-overmantel packages, and building slab-panel surrounds with minimal joints. Commercial: amenity lounge feature walls, lobby fireplaces, and durable finishes for high-traffic spaces.

Outdoor: stone veneer and stucco surrounds, poolside features, and seating walls that complement your fireplace. We also finish surrounds for direct vent and electric units, coordinating trades and permits when required.

Our Proven Process & Methods

We start with substrate prep and layout, then lath, WRB, and 1/2–3/4 inch scratch coat where needed. Veneers are back-buttered and set with proper bond lines, and joints are tooled and brushed for a clean finish. Thin brick meets ASTM C1088; adhered stone follows ASTM C1780.

For large porcelain slabs (Neolith/Dekton-style), we use heat-rated adhesives, plan movement joints, and install over flat, stable substrates. Natural stone is sealed and edges are mitered for elegant profiles.

Complex Situations We’ve Mastered

Historic home in The Heights: we repointed soft mortar, parged the smoke chamber with refractory, and installed a limestone surround while preserving original millwork. Result: improved draft and period-correct aesthetics.

Galleria/Uptown high-rise: modern linear direct vent with a 10-foot porcelain slab feature wall. We coordinated inspections, managed elevator logistics, and achieved perfect reveals around the appliance with verified clearances.

Results You Can Expect

Typical timelines: 2–3 days for tile/thin brick refacing, 3–5 days for stacked stone veneer, and 4–7 days for slab-panel systems. Custom cast stone fabrication averages 3–4 weeks before install. We target dust-free handoff and provide maintenance guidance.

Our clients report fewer callbacks and easier cleaning thanks to sealed stone and correctly tooled joints. The finish looks great on day one and performs season after season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What materials do you offer for fireplace surrounds?

We install marble, granite, travertine, slate, limestone, cast stone, thin brick, cultured stone, natural stone veneer, ceramic and porcelain tile, plus large-format porcelain slabs (Neolith/Dekton-style). For Houston homes, we match materials to appliance type, heat exposure, and maintenance goals. We’ll review sample boards, show real project photos, and explain sealing needs so your surround stays beautiful and easy to clean.

Can you reface an existing brick fireplace with stone veneer or thin brick?

Yes. We mechanically prepare the surface, add metal lath and a scratch coat where needed, and install veneer per ASTM C1780 or thin brick per ASTM C1088. In many Houston homes, refacing takes 2–4 days and avoids a full tear-out. We’ll confirm clearances, plan joint profiles, and seal porous stone to resist soot and stains.

How long does a typical fireplace surround installation take?

Most tile or thin brick refacing finishes in 2–3 days. Stacked stone or complex patterns take about 3–5 days. Large-format porcelain slab or multi-story feature walls can run 4–7 days, depending on layout and substrate prep. Custom cast stone mantels typically need 3–4 weeks for fabrication, followed by a one-day install.

Do I need a permit for my fireplace project in Houston?

For vented gas fireplaces, inserts, or direct vent systems, Houston requires permits and inspections (see the Dec 1, 2023 update). We handle the permit paperwork and coordinate with city inspectors. Surround-only refacing without appliance changes usually doesn’t need a permit, but we still design to NFPA 211, IRC, and manufacturer clearances to keep your project safe and compliant.

What clearances are required for combustible mantels and trim?

Clearances depend on your firebox or appliance listing and applicable codes (NFPA 211/IRC). Side trim typically needs at least 6 inches from the opening, and the allowable mantel projection changes with height above the opening per code tables. We verify the exact dimensions, provide a diagram with your estimate, and ensure the surround and mantel comply with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do you repair fireboxes, mortar joints, and smoke chambers?

Yes. We replace damaged firebrick, repoint or tuckpoint joints, and parge smoke chambers with refractory mortar to improve draft and safety. Many Houston projects combine refacing with these repairs, preventing smoke staining and extending system life. We’ll evaluate your firebox and chimney and recommend only what’s needed.

Are your installers NFI or CSIA certified?

Yes - our team includes NFI Gas and Woodburning Specialists and CSIA-certified technicians. Certifications matter because they ensure your surround is designed with correct clearances, materials, and transition details around the appliance or firebox. Credentials also help with permitting and inspection approvals across Houston and nearby suburbs.

Can you install large-format porcelain slab surrounds (Neolith/Dekton-style)?

We do. We use heat-rated adhesives, plan movement joints, and install over flat, stable, noncombustible substrates. We also maintain appliance-specific clearances and use high-temperature sealants at transitions. Slab systems deliver a clean, modern look with minimal joints and are popular in Memorial, River Oaks, and Uptown projects.

Do you coordinate licensed gas and electrical work?

Yes. We schedule TSBPE-licensed plumbers for gas lines/log sets and TDLR-licensed electricians for electric fireplace circuits. Our team manages permits, inspections, and surround finishing so you have one point of contact and a fully compliant, turnkey project across Greater Houston.