I'm no expert, but I do know that quartz doesn't handle heat well and is not suitable for areas where inflammable materials are required. I think, aesthetically and safety-wise, this is a total redo with fireproof materials. I rather suspect the manufacturer will void any warranty because of the way the quartz has been used.

That's my concern as well in terms of the manufacture's warranty. What responsibility is on the GC when recommending materials? I had no way of knowing quartz was inappropriate until this happended and seeing quartz fireplaces all over the internet would certainly lead someone outside the industry to think it's fine to use.

Who designed this? Drew the diagrams? Did the research on materials? Printed out the fireplace clearance requirements? Coordinated it all? What has the contractor said? Is he licensed and insured?

Contractors are not designers. So, who designed this?

Pictures please. My money's on fabricator error.

OP linked a lot of pix at the top of the thread.

One piece design (uneven heating), tightly installed (no flexible expansion joints),...

ci_lantro is correct. There are fabricators over at www.stonefabricatorsalliance.com who won't do any stone near heat without joints.

It may have worked with bigger radii in the corners and on the edges, but a silicone-filled control joint would have been best.

It's toast; no fixing that. Like heat damaged Corian, I'll bet the resin in the engineered stone has distorted the stone. Even if it looks like it will go back together, it won't.

This should not have been installed in one piece. It should have been fabricated with seams.

Quartz is not a non combustible material. If you wouldn’t install wood in the same application, then don’t use plastic+sand (quartz).

Is the insert a 0 clearance? Combustibles are allowed to be installed directly to the face of the insert? (And the sides and rear?) Because I would have concerns about the construction behind the face. You need to find the insert’s specifications, and the pictures of the in progress build of this.

Progress build: http://imgur.com/a/B3DQ4Sw

Box constructed by fireplace dealer to manufacturer spec. Dealer is separate from GC and does not do surround finishing work. Dealer just preps box for finishing. Dealer confirmed via email that they had spoken with quartz master (the quartz manufacturer) and that the material was non-combustable and could be installed directly on to the face of the box as we planned on doing. Manufacturer did not mention anything about seams, just discoloration. Manufacturer warranty is not voided by fireplace installation.

Design for surround was done by fabricator. They originally mentioned seams and then back tracked saying no seams was fine. I feel like even if we did seams the glued mitered edge at the top of the front would be an issue because it wouldn't allow for upward expansion.

So no one person was in charge of coordinating this. Design was farmed out to a couple of different finger pointers. Well, sorry to say but the design and the material used are both incorrect. Quartz is not a non combustible material. It will scorch when too close to heat. It will burn in a fire. It will crack when it heats and there is no expansion joint. At least yours cracked first, before burning.

That build out though. Janky and not planned correctly. Non vented isn’t the same as vented. There’s more heat build up.

100% redo. With a different material. That doesn’t cover over the non combustible area of the insert, and that material has to actually BE non combustible. Thin porcelain would give a similar look. Or real stone. Both will require expansion joints. And neither will adhere to the metal face of the firebox insert. This Not a 5 K project.

First of all, I'd be even more concerned about using a ventless fireplace. Who talked you into that one?

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-ventless-gas-fireplace-doesnt-belong-in-your-home

https://breathepa.org/3671

https://www.angieslist.com/articles/what-are-dangers-using-vent-free-gas-logs.htm

There is a lot more info but I know when we were investigating we opted for a vented fireplace.

As for the material, as others have said, around the fireplace surround you can't have a non combustible product and that does include quartz.

My question to you is do you have anything in writing from the GC or fabricator saying it's not a problem? If not, then it's your word against theirs.

I'm no expert but maybe those who are can answer. Around the fireplace surround shouldn't the material underneath be cement board and not just drywall?

No choice on the ventless fireplace unfortunately. I am in a cinder block constructed town home. There is no way for me to install a vented fireplace in the livingroom due configuration of the home. The wall the fireplace is on is a cibder block party wall shared with an adjoining townhome. Also it was the type of fireplace previously in the home when I purchased it.

I have a 1 year guarantee on work performed by the GC (the fabricator is their sub and we purchased the quartz from Quartz Master through the GC). It was known for almost a year by both parties that the quartz was to be used in this way. The GC recommended the quartz for this purpose, but I don't have that in writing.

However, I have an email in writing from the fireplace dealer that they spoke with Quartz Master and Quartz Master said fireplace install wasn't a problem: "According to the manufacturer it is safe to install the quartz on the top part since it is a non-combustible material."

According to the fireplace manufacturer specs, which I reviewed myself prior to the work being done, and the fireplace dealer, the surround material can be directly adhered to the drywall the way it was and with the top metal portion covered as it is.

Manufacturer install instructions:

http://imgur.com/a/OJcSGvn

Chinese quartz, and people who are clueless about what they’re selling, along with someone clueless about design, does not add up to a successful project. This cracked ensemble needs a complete rethink. Or elimination.

A designer would carry Errors and Omissions insurance that would kick in in the case of Design Malpractice like this. Since a contractor isn’t supposed to be designing, he has no insurance against design errors. Any rectification will have to come out of his pocket.

Polyester resin burns at 750C. Acrylic melts at 160C. Neither is non combustible. Quartz is about half resin by volume. Quartz is a combustible material.

No choice on the ventless fireplace unfortunately. I am in a cinder block constructed town home. There is no way for me to install a vented fireplace in the livingroom due configuration of the home. The wall the fireplace is on is a cibder block party wall shared with an adjoining townhome. Also it was the type of fireplace previously in the home when I purchased it.

Dimplex makes an electric fireplace that is so real looking it fooled me, and not much fools me. You'd be better off and safer with that. I only wish they had this shape when I was buying but at the time they only had a linear style

https://www.dimplex.com/en/electric_fireplaces/linear_fireplaces/products/vf2927l/optiv_solotm

The issue of Quartz being installed near a heat source comes up all the time on the Kitchens forum, where people unfortunately install Quartz directly behind the cooktop, and then it scorches and/or cracks from the heat of the cooktop. However, I've looked at the Quartz Master website, and it displays a couple of charts showing heat resistance and flame resistance and they are saying that Quartzstone has both to a high degree. But is that what the OP has? Quartzstone? If so, then she and her contractor appear to be justified in this installation.

"The issue of Quartz being installed near a heat source comes up all the time on the Kitchens forum, where people unfortunately install Quartz directly behind the cooktop, and then it scorches and/or cracks from the heat of the cooktop."

This is designer, not fabricator or installer, error. It is not a manufacturer or product shortcoming.

Follow the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions and your engineered stone will be fine.

@Miranda33 Yes, we have quartz stone. I contacted the manufacturer prior to proceeding with the project as was provided a sheet with the specs you posted.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC

1) I am going to try to get the quartz manufacturer's install instructions. thanks for the idea.

2) So in a project where there is no designer (like with a kitchen) that is partial remodel of various areas of the home, what should one do to protect themselves? I don't really know how I could realistically find a designer to only design a fireplace surround, and prior to install I did substantial research including contacting the manufacturer, dealer, fabricator and GC to confirm the material was ok to use for my specific application, unit and type of install.

I have a situation where I go to a large reputable dealer of fireplaces, who builds out the underlying box to the specs listed in the install manual. This dealer then recommends me to a third party tile company they work with for finishing. I go to the tile partner and have everything priced out. Still though even through the tile company, there is no "designer". At the same time I am pricing out tile, my GC, while we are literally standing in the quartz master dealer's warehouse, recommends using our excess quartz with mitered edged sides for our fireplace facing and surround. There is a substantial delay in the quartz coming in from China (which to the guy who said cheap Chinese quartz, he should be aware pretty much all quartz is from china except for Cambria). During this time, I reach out to everyone under the sun confirming quartz can be used and can be installed over the metal portion of the top of the firebox. Quartz arrives. The GC hands off final design of all countertops, backsplashes and the fireplace surround to the quartz fabricator, who specifically says a single piece construction is fine.

I feel a lot of professionals these threads (not you though) act like homeowners who encounter problems (1) are idiots and any problem is basically their fault, (2) how its so obvious that they should have done X, Y, and Z, and (3) somehow, despite the homeowner trying desperately to be diligent and research as much as they can, are expected to become experts in every facet of work being done in their home in order to hold an industry of professionals accountable, many of whom seem to have the moral compass of a turn-of-the-century sausage maker. All of this a homeowner is expected to do, while 20 other projects are going on in their house for which the are expected do the same level of diligence and somehow doing their own actual job during the day, without losing their minds. If that is truly the expectation, what is the point of hiring "professionals"?

In all seriousness, I am exasperated. I give up and the industry wins. I have 2 more bathrooms left to remodel, and I get stressed out just thinking about letting another contractor in my home or starting another project.

thank you for reading my rant if you got that far. If you know anyone in Chicago you recommend to do 2 bathroom remodels, i am all ears ....

@Kristin Petro Interiors, Inc. I just wanted to thank you for your very thoughtful and helpful response! I will definitely go through the process you described for my next project. This is the kind of constructive advice I, and believe many other homeowners, are looking for when we come to this site.

Jennifer - I'm not a pro, so I really cannot offer any advice. Just want to let you know that I really feel for you.

I'm in the Chicago area and I wish there was a way I can direct message you as we had our basement finished last fall and was happy with our contractor. We also got new countertops last year and was very happy with our fabricator. I hope neither was the company that you worked with.

I just want to correct you in that Cambria is not the only company whose quartz does not come from China. There are many others. The "cheap Chinese" quartz that a lot of people talk about on this forum are companies that do not use the Brenton technology.

I will say though that I agree with you on your assessment with how a lot of the Pros "talk" to the homeowners on this site. It can certainly be frustrating. I don't know of a "designer" around that will work with a small project -- and the first thing the Pros will tell you to do is consult a designer. Great - tell me one that will work with a budget that less than 100K. Or a small project as many of us don't have the financial resources to do a giant project at once.

It sounds like you did your research and I'm not sure if there is a problem with the fireplace not being a vented fireplace that caused the issue but if Quartz Masters said it was fine, then I would "think" they're at fault.

@chocolatebunny123 i changed my message settings and you should be able to PM now. If not, I have a throwaway email I can post.

Thanks for the moral support!

You're right about there being more non-Chinese quartz manufacturers. I was over generalizing.

Great - tell me one that will work with a budget that less than 100K.

I can name dozens. In Chicago. In fact, of the designers I personally know, all of them work with budgets of less than 100K, especially for bathrooms. Does that mean all of them will work on every project? No. Depending on their workloads, they may not travel to certain locations or they may have a minimum number of design hours you need to spend. Some only offer decorating and some only kitchen/bath, while others do both. Hourly rates can range from $75-over $200/hour, or flat fees. Designers are most definitely an investment, and like with any professional, you often get what you pay for. Do your research, make your phone calls and listen to their processes.

I find it funny and ironic that on a site designed to connect design pros with homeowners, the most common complaint on these boards is that nobody can find a qualified designer. Ha!

If you had used a Designer, their E&O insurance would have paid for this snafu. Or their pull with their connections, like the contractor and fabricator who they do hundreds of project with, would take care of it. Or, the mistake wouldn’t have been made in the first place. Because they would have learned from a past mistake, or someone else's past mistake that “heat resistant” doesn’t mean that it is to be used where a non combustible material is required. You don’t get the benefit of the wsdom earned by that when you do a one off project. You get to make those expensive mistakes yourself.

Plenty of designers work on projects under 100K. Even a “simple” 30K fireplace redo that wasn’t so simple. But you were the one coordinating contractors and material choices. That puts you in the designer’s role. Once you assume the role, you assume the responsibility too. You’ll never make that design mistake again! You paid the price that all designers do at one point or another. You’ll just make different mistakes on the next project. Because it isn’t your day job. Because it is our day job, we have the network collective of folks who have made lots of different mistakes that we can learn from, and add to with our own examples. We still carry E&O.

The pity is that everyone along the line from the contractor, to whoever designed this, the fabricator and the homeowner forgot that most solids expand when heated. That's why you have expansion joints in concrete driveways, concrete roadways, bridges. It's why vinyl siding has elongated nailing holes & isn't nailed up tight. Just a few examples of allowances routinely made for allow for thermal expansion.

Thermal expansion explained: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science-and-technology/physics/physics/thermal-expansion

Would a marble slab crack in the joints like quartz in this situation or would it be a great choice for a vented fireplace surround?

"Would a marble slab crack in the joints like quartz in this situation?"

Yes, as would granite or quartzite. It's the uneven heating that causes these materials to self-destruct. A designer must accommodate, not fight, this phenomenon.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC I have been researching slab cladding for fireplaces on Houzz. There are many photos with stone or stone composite slab cladding. In your opinion, do all of these applications share the potential to crack?

Fireplace Surround by a full slab of Amina Quartz. · More Info

Fireplace Remodeling in Plano TX · More Info

Country Manor · More Info

Yes. You must accommodate, not ignore, the expansion of materials around heat sources.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC Thank you!