What is fireplace refacing and what does it involve?
In Swannanoa, refacing means a new surface over the same firebox — but here that often happens inside a home being rebuilt. Storm recovery has Grovemont-area owners renovating 1940s-to-60s houses with original masonry fireplaces, and a reface is the natural way to bring a dated firebox into a fresh interior without tearing out the working heart of the room.
Refacing as part of the rebuild
Swannanoa's recovery from storm damage has driven real demand for new fireplace and stove work, and many of these older Grovemont and Bee Tree homes have solid original masonry worth keeping. Refacing lets a rebuild reuse that non-combustible, load-bearing firebox and dress it to match the new room — stone veneer, large-format tile, or a clean modern surround. It's faster and less invasive than a full replacement, and it puts the budget into the visible payoff rather than into ripping out a firebox that still works.
River-valley damp, and a sound base
The Swannanoa River valley brings fog, cold-air pooling, and damp air that's hard on masonry over the years. Before we cover an old brick front we confirm it's dry and structurally sound — especially in a house that's seen water — because veneer over compromised masonry doesn't last. We prep painted surfaces with lath, set a scratch coat, and cut the finish clean around the opening, keeping the flue and venting untouched behind the new wall.
Backup heat and the licensed side
A lot of these rebuilds pair the reface with a sealed gas insert or a wood stove — the kind of hearth that kept homes warm when the grid went down. That's licensed gas work wherever fuel's involved: we permit it with Buncombe County and pressure-test the line. Millivolt or battery-backup ignition means gas heat even when the power's out, which owners here don't take for granted anymore. Fifteen minutes east of our Asheville showroom — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Swannanoa
We install and service fireplaces throughout Swannanoa and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes east from our Asheville-area showroom.