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Suitable Mantel and Facing Materials
Use of ceramic glazed tiles as facing materials around a Mendota Fireplace is approved. Use caution when selecting tile
adhesives. Avoid premixed tile adhesives which contain products that can off gas for long periods when exposed to heat. Use
Portland cement based unmixed tile adhesives or RTV Silicone to attach ceramic glazed tiles as facing in hot areas around this
Fireplace. If using RTV silicone, allow a minimum 48 hours cure time for the silicone to cure before firing this Fireplace after tile
application.
Marble, Granite and Natural Stones
Marble, granite and other natural stone products are approved for use as mantel and facing materials with the following
limitations and understanding of these cautionary statements:
Never use a one-piece marble, granite or natural stone that is water jet or mechanically cut in a U -shape
as facing material to cover the sides and top areas around this product. Doing so can lead to crack
formation at the inner corners of the U shape due to thermal expansion.
Figure 4-21 Three Piece Stone
Most marble slabs and marble tiles contain a polyester resin coating while most granite slabs and granite tiles contain epoxy
resin coatings. The polyester resin coatings and the epoxy resin coatings provide structural strength to the stone slabs and
prevent cracking, chipping and breakage during shipping and handling. These coatings also provide a glossy or satin surface
finish and help seal the stone surface.
The polyester resin used on marble slabs can discolor when exposed to temperatures greater than 150
o
F
and will structurally fail at temperatures above 230
o
F. The epoxy resin coating used on granite slabs are
resistant to discoloring and structural failures up to 3 50
o
F.Mendota does not assu me any liability for
discoloring, flaking or cracking of marble or granite.
Temperatures on facings around Mendota Gas Fireplaces can reach
350
o
F directly outside the top convection air gap and as high as 210
o
F
at the maximum allowed mantel protrusion level above the top
convection air gap. These temperatures can discolor polyester resin
coated marble facings and can cause the polyester resin coating to
fail near the top convection air gap.
Mendota Fireplace cannot guarantee suitability of use of
any marble slabs or tiles that have a polyester resin
coating applied to it and cannot guarantee against
discoloration or structural failure of marble or polished
stone facings that have a polyester resin coating. Cons ult
with your local stone supplier.
Figure 4-22 Top Air Gap
