I just bought a 1960's house that has a rock fireplace face. It's not river rock (it's really ugly). I would like to reface it with a granite slab. Instead of demo-ing it I think we're going to grind any protruding rocks down and fill the whole mess in. Do I need to use a special mortar that can withstand the heat of the fireplace? Can I wrap the granite around to line the inside frame of the firebox (not the internal part where you actually have the fire - just the opening)?
Grinding down the existing rock is going to be more work than just demo'n the whole thing and starting over. I would demo then put up your marble or granite.
