Elevate Your Fireplace with polished plaster

Which of our polished plasters are suitable for use on a fireplace?

It can be said that all surfaces from our offer are suitable for fireplaces. They meet temperature limits up to 100°C, including the epoxy ones. People often choose, for example, the Imitation of concrete, Granite, Pitted, or Betonepox® polished plasters.

Are there any types of fireplaces that are not suitable or cannot have decorative plaster applied to them?

Accumulation fireplaces, for example, are not suitable for polished plaster application, but there is usually no demand for it in such cases. However, for conventional built-in fireplace inserts, fireplaces, or the walls around them, polished plaster application is feasible without any issues. On the contrary, we gain an advantage in having a material that is easy to wash or wipe, which is often a decisive factor in choosing plaster due to the smoke generated during firing.

Which other factors need to be considered when choosing decorative plaster for a specific fireplace?

First and foremost, the durability of the plaster, especially its resistance to damage in the corners, should be considered. If I plan to have niches on the fireplace where wood will be stored, I would opt for epoxy plasters like Betonepox®, which are suitable for floors and are therefore much more durable than cement or cement-lime plasters. When it comes to cement polished plasters - the range of different finishes is wider. In this case I would recommend lining these parts, for example, with sheet metal in the shade of the fireplace doors. It always depends on detailed consultation with the implementation company. I also recommend getting a sample made to test the necessary durability of the chosen material.

Can you advise on repairs and modifications to fireplaces before applying decorative plasters?

It's not complicated at all. The preparation is essentially the same as if we were applying standard plaster with painting to the fireplace. It's necessary to unify and strengthen the base, ideally with adhesive with reinforcing mesh, to eliminate any potential cracks. Often, we further smooth everything with standard flexible adhesive. If cracks appear in the base, we always recommend repeating the entire preparation process to eliminate the possibility of cracks. It's also good to perform a test heating before applying the final surface.

What problems can occur if the base is not properly prepared?

It mainly concerns cracks. After all, there is considerable tension here when the temperature changes, so there is a risk that if the base is not properly prepared or, heaven forbid, the entire fireplace is unprofessionally built, the cracks that occur will logically be replicated in the final material with which the fireplace will be covered.

How do these decorative plasters react to high temperatures generated by the fireplace? Can they withstand contact with hot embers?

Cement plasters handle it without any issues. Epoxy plasters meet all necessary fire safety certifications; however, I wouldn't directly expose an epoxy floor to the fireplace, as it could lead to damage. If a hot ember falls and is promptly removed without letting it burn into the surface, the plaster will remain unharmed. Even if minor damage occurs, it's still possible to touch up the surface.

How long does the application of such decorative surface take?

Without any necessary substrate adjustments, you can expect the application process to take between 3 to 5 days, depending on the chosen material.

Leave the application of the decorative plaster for your fireplace to the professionals. Our company has over 20 years of experience in creating modern stylish surfaces, both in the Czech Republic and abroad.

For more information and inspiration on where you can use decorative plaster, visit our website and social media channels.

Get in touch with us and schedule a meeting at one of our showrooms in Prague or Brno, where we'll offer you excellent coffee along with an inspiring tour.

We look forward to seeing you!

Team Němec s.r.o.