Custom Masonry Fireplaces
New brick and natural stone fireplace masonry planned around the room, fireplace opening, intended use and required non-combustible details.
Fireplace PEI • Custom Masonry Fireplace Builder
Masonry Fireplace Builder in Prince Edward Island
DinoMac Masonry builds, renovates and repairs masonry fireplaces across PEI, including natural stone and brick surrounds, custom hearths, firebox masonry, refractory repairs and selective rebuilding of older fireplaces.
Whether the project starts with a new fireplace, an existing appliance that needs a custom masonry finish, or an older masonry fireplace worth restoring, the visible stone or brick should be planned around the fireplace's actual use, clearances, proportions and construction rather than treated as decoration added at the end.
Custom masonry fireplaces, stone and brick surrounds, hearths, firebox repair and fireplace restoration across Prince Edward Island.
Ask About a Repair
Fireplace Builder & Masonry Services
Custom fireplace masonry for new builds, renovations and repairs
DinoMac's role is the masonry itself: building and restoring the brick, natural stone, firebrick and hearth work that gives a fireplace its structure, durability and finished appearance.
Stone & Brick Fireplace Surrounds
Natural stone or brick facing for new and existing fireplaces, with attention to corners, proportions, joints, trim transitions and the visual weight of the finished work.
Hearth Construction & Rebuilding
Custom masonry hearths and repairs using brick, natural stone and other appropriate non-combustible materials where the fireplace design requires them.
Firebox & Firebrick Repair
Replacement of damaged firebrick, refractory joint repair and selective rebuilding where heat-exposed masonry has deteriorated.
Fireplace Renovation & Refacing
Update an older fireplace with new masonry proportions, stone or brick while coordinating the finished work with the existing or replacement fireplace system.
Older Fireplace Restoration
Preserve and repair existing masonry where the brick, stone or historic character is worth keeping instead of automatically removing the whole fireplace.
Why DinoMac for a Fireplace Build?
The fireplace finish is masonry work, not just product installation.
DinoMac combines third-generation masonry knowledge with more than 20 years of hands-on experience in natural stone, brick and restoration. That is particularly valuable when a fireplace is being designed as a permanent architectural feature rather than simply installed as an appliance.
DinoMac does not need to sell a particular fireplace brand. The masonry can instead be planned around the appliance or fireplace system that is right for the homeowner, provided its dimensions, clearances and installation requirements are established before the final masonry is built.
5-Star Google Review • Interior Stonework
“Dean recently completed stone cladding of an indoor chimney in a heritage home in Charlottetown for us and the final result was outstanding! Would highly recommend Dean for any stone/masonry work.”
Bev Macarthur
Google review
Fireplace Masonry Basics
Not every part of a fireplace uses the same material.
A traditional masonry fireplace can include structural brick or stone, firebrick, refractory mortar, a hearth, smoke chamber, damper area and a masonry chimney or flue system above.
The materials exposed directly to flame and very high temperatures are different from the decorative brick or stone surrounding the opening. That distinction matters when a repair is being planned.
A cosmetic joint on a stone surround and a failed joint inside a firebox are not the same repair, even if both appear to be "cracked mortar."
Before Repairing
Figure out where the failure actually is.
Damage can be limited to facing material, or it can involve heat-exposed firebrick, refractory mortar, the hearth, chimney connection or movement elsewhere in the structure.
The repair should match the location, temperature exposure and function of the material being repaired.
Common Fireplace Problems
What we are usually called to repair
Some fireplace damage is mainly cosmetic. Other deterioration can affect the safe operation of the fireplace or indicate a larger chimney problem.
Cracked or Loose Firebrick
Firebrick can crack, loosen or deteriorate after repeated heating and cooling cycles or impact from wood. Individual units can sometimes be replaced without rebuilding the entire firebox.
Failed Refractory Joints
Mortar inside a firebox is exposed to far greater temperatures than ordinary wall mortar. Failed joints should be repaired with materials suitable for that exposure.
Damaged Hearths
Hearth masonry can crack, settle, loosen or become damaged from heat and use. Repairs may involve individual units, joint work or rebuilding sections of the hearth.
Loose Brick or Stone Facing
Decorative fireplace masonry can loosen because of movement, poor original bonding, moisture or unsuitable previous repairs.
Smoke Staining & Surface Damage
Soot and smoke can stain brick and stone around a fireplace opening. Cleaning should be matched to the material so the cure does not damage the masonry.
Movement & Cracking
Recurring cracks may point to movement in the fireplace, chimney, foundation or surrounding structure and should not automatically be treated as a simple surface patch.
Firebox Restoration
The firebox takes the hardest treatment in the entire fireplace.
The firebox is repeatedly heated to high temperatures and then allowed to cool. Firewood is placed against it, ash accumulates at the base and moisture can enter the system during periods when the fireplace is not in use.
Over time, refractory mortar can erode and firebrick can crack or loosen. A repair may involve replacing damaged firebrick, renewing refractory joints or rebuilding a larger section where deterioration is widespread.
The objective is not merely to make the inside look tidy. Heat-exposed masonry needs materials suited to the temperatures and conditions in which the fireplace operates.
Warning Signs
Have the firebox looked at if you see:
✓Loose or missing refractory mortar
✓Broken or loose firebrick
✓Deep or recurring cracks
✓Movement around the fireplace opening
✓Pieces of masonry collecting in the firebox
Hearth Repair
The hearth is both a design feature and part of the fireplace system.
Fireplace hearths can be built from brick, natural stone, tile or other non-combustible materials. They may be flush with the floor or raised as part of the fireplace structure.
Cracking can come from impact, movement, heat cycling or failure in the support below. Before simply replacing the visible surface, it is worth understanding whether the damage is isolated or whether the base itself has moved.
DinoMac can repair or rebuild selected masonry hearths and integrate new stone or brick where a fireplace is being restored or updated.
Brick & Natural Stone Surrounds
A fireplace can change the entire room without looking like a renovation.
Natural stone and brick surrounds can be used to restore an older fireplace or completely change the character of an existing one.
The strongest designs usually work with the proportions of the room, fireplace opening and chimney breast instead of covering everything in material simply because space is available.
DinoMac's natural stone background allows fireplace surrounds to be laid with the same attention to stone selection, proportion and jointing used on exterior stonework.
Explore Natural Stone Masonry
Building a New Fireplace in PEI
Choose the fireplace system before the stone and brick are finalized.
A homeowner searching for a fireplace builder may be planning anything from a traditional masonry fireplace to a factory-built wood, gas or electric unit surrounded by custom masonry. Those projects can look similar when finished while requiring very different construction behind the visible stone or brick.
For factory-built appliances, the exact model and manufacturer's installation instructions should be selected before the masonry opening, hearth, trim returns and final veneer thickness are locked in. For traditional masonry work, firebox, smoke chamber, chimney, hearth and structural support need to be considered as one system rather than separate decorative pieces.
DinoMac can coordinate the masonry around the project while appliance supply, fuel connections, certified inspections and appliance-specific work remain with the appropriate qualified trades.
Before Masonry Starts
✓Choose the fireplace or appliance type
✓Confirm opening and finished dimensions
✓Confirm required clearances and hearth geometry
✓Plan venting, chimney or flue requirements
✓Select stone, brick and joint style
✓Coordinate mantels, trim and adjacent finishes
Masonry Builder vs Fireplace Retailer
Different fireplace projects need different specialists.
PEI fireplace searches often mix appliance shopping, installation, chimney work, masonry construction and renovation into the same search result. Knowing which service you actually need can save a great deal of back-and-forth.
Call DinoMac for Masonry
Custom stone or brick surrounds, masonry hearths, firebox and refractory repair, existing fireplace restoration, selective rebuilding and masonry chimney work.
Use a Hearth Retailer for Appliance Selection
Wood, gas, pellet and electric fireplace units have model-specific performance, venting and clearance requirements that should be established before surrounding masonry is finalized.
Use the Appropriate Certified Trade
Gas connections, appliance servicing, formal solid-fuel inspections and other regulated or manufacturer-specific work should be completed by the appropriately qualified technician.
Function Before Finish
Decide how the fireplace should work before deciding how it should look.
An open masonry fireplace, wood or gas insert, electric conversion and decorative fireplace renovation can preserve much of the same visible masonry while requiring very different work behind it.
Before the final stone or brick is selected, it helps to settle the intended use, firebox condition, chimney or venting needs, hearth geometry, appliance dimensions, clearances, combustion-air considerations and finished veneer thickness. Those decisions can change the opening and surround more than the colour of the stone ever will.
This is especially important when a renovation combines masonry work with a new appliance or a change in how the fireplace will be used.
Plan the Hidden Work
✓Finished use and appliance type
✓Firebox, liner and chimney condition
✓Hearth and opening dimensions
✓Venting, air supply and required rough-ins
✓Final stone or brick thickness and trim
Fireplace, Chimney & Draft
A smoking fireplace is not always a masonry problem.
The fireplace opening, smoke chamber, flue, chimney height, air supply, chimney temperature and surrounding building conditions all influence how a wood-burning fireplace drafts.
If smoke spills into the room, the cause should be identified before masonry is altered. A larger opening, different damper, chimney obstruction, cold flue, insufficient combustion air or venting issue can all produce symptoms that look similar to the homeowner.
DinoMac can address masonry defects, but diagnosis of the complete solid-fuel-burning system may also require an appropriately qualified chimney or WETT-certified professional.
WETT inspections
WETT inspections evaluate solid-fuel-burning appliances and venting systems. WETT certifies individuals, not fireplaces, installations or companies.
Depending on the situation, the inspection may be visual, technical or invasive.
Learn About WETT InspectionsMoisture & Chimney Problems
Sometimes the fireplace is showing damage that started much higher up.
Water entering through a chimney crown, cap, flashing or deteriorated exterior masonry can travel through the chimney system and contribute to staining, rust, deteriorated joints or damaged masonry around the fireplace.
If a fireplace repeatedly shows moisture-related damage, repairing the interior surface without dealing with the exterior water source is unlikely to produce a lasting result.
Chimney Repair & RebuildingPossible moisture clues
✓White deposits on brick or stone
✓Rusting metal components
✓Damp or musty fireplace odours
✓Recurring staining after heavy rain
✓Mortar deterioration around the fireplace or chimney
Repair or Rebuild?
Keep the good masonry when the good masonry is worth keeping.
Many fireplaces can be repaired selectively. Others have enough movement, deterioration or poor previous work that rebuilding a section is the more durable answer.
Repoint & Repair
Suitable for localized mortar deterioration, isolated cracks and small areas where the surrounding masonry remains sound.
Replace Individual Units
Damaged firebrick, facing brick or stone can sometimes be replaced without disturbing the entire fireplace.
Selective Rebuilding
Where movement or deterioration is more extensive, sections of the fireplace can be carefully dismantled and rebuilt.
Wood, Gas & Other Fireplace Systems
Know where masonry work ends and appliance work begins.
DinoMac's work is focused on masonry: brick, stone, hearths, fireboxes and surrounds.
Wood-burning fireplaces may also require chimney sweeping, venting evaluation or a formal inspection of the solid-fuel system.
Gas fireplaces and inserts involve fuel connections, controls, burners and manufacturer-specific components. Those portions should be serviced by an appropriately qualified or licensed gas technician.
Keeping those roles clear makes it easier to solve the real problem instead of asking one trade to guess at another trade's work.
What DinoMac Handles
Masonry around the fireplace
Firebrick, refractory mortar, hearth masonry, natural stone surrounds, brick surrounds, selective masonry rebuilding, chimney-related masonry and restoration of older fireplace masonry.
Fireplace Masonry Portfolio
Stone, brick and hearth work should be judged in finished spaces.
Fireplace masonry is highly visual. These existing DinoMac project images show the kind of material, proportion and detailing that can be developed around a new build, renovation or restoration.
Custom fireplace masonry: the fireplace should read as part of the room rather than a finish added after the fact.
Natural stone surround: stone selection, corners, joint flow and proportions shape the finished result.
Repair and restoration: existing hearth and fireplace masonry can often be renewed without replacing everything.
Why DinoMac
Fireplace work benefits from a mason who understands both stone and restoration.
DinoMac combines generations of family stonemasonry knowledge with years of repair and restoration work across Prince Edward Island.
That matters on fireplaces because the finished work has to satisfy two very different demands: the heat-exposed masonry has to perform properly, while the visible stone or brick has to look deliberate in the room.
DinoMac is PEI's highest-rated masonry contractor on Google, with a long-standing reputation for detailed masonry work across the Island.
Our approach
Identify what is actually failing, use the right material for the location, preserve sound masonry where practical, and make the visible repair fit the fireplace rather than advertise where the damage used to be.
Fireplace Builder Across PEI
Custom masonry fireplace work throughout Prince Edward Island.
DinoMac is based in Bonshaw and serves fireplace masonry projects across PEI, including Charlottetown, Stratford, Cornwall, Summerside and surrounding communities.
Projects can range from repairing a cracked firebox or rebuilding a hearth to designing a new natural stone fireplace surround as part of a renovation or new home. For new appliance-based projects, having the manufacturer and model selected before the final masonry is designed usually produces a cleaner and more predictable build.
View PEI Service AreasStarting a Fireplace Project?
Send the whole wall, not only the fireplace opening.
Wide photographs help establish proportions and design possibilities. Include the fireplace or appliance model if one has already been selected, plus approximate wall dimensions, ceiling height and examples of the stone or brick style you like.
What photos should I send? →Frequently Asked Questions
Fireplace masonry questions
Does DinoMac build new masonry fireplaces in PEI?
Yes. DinoMac can build custom masonry fireplace features in Prince Edward Island, including brick or natural stone surrounds, hearths and masonry work associated with new fireplace projects. Where a project includes a factory-built wood, gas or electric appliance, the appliance model, clearances, venting and required installation details should be established before the final masonry is built.
Can DinoMac build stone or brick around a fireplace insert or factory-built fireplace?
Often, yes. The exact appliance, manufacturer's clearance requirements, opening dimensions, hearth requirements, venting and finished veneer thickness should be confirmed first so the masonry surround is built around the correct dimensions.
Does DinoMac sell wood, gas or electric fireplace appliances?
DinoMac's specialty is the masonry portion of fireplace projects rather than appliance retail. Brick, natural stone, hearths, fireboxes, surrounds and masonry restoration are DinoMac's role, while appliance supply, gas connections and appliance-specific installation or servicing should be handled by the appropriate qualified supplier or technician.
How much does a custom masonry fireplace cost in PEI?
Cost depends on whether the project is new construction, renovation or repair; the fireplace or appliance type; surround and hearth size; stone or brick selection; access; demolition; and the amount of custom cutting and fitting. Photos, dimensions and the intended fireplace type are useful for establishing an initial scope.
Can cracked fireplace masonry be repaired?
Often, yes. The correct repair depends on whether the crack is in decorative facing, the hearth, the firebox, refractory material or another part of the fireplace system. The cause should be identified before the crack is simply filled.
What causes firebrick and mortar inside a fireplace to deteriorate?
Repeated heating and cooling, impact from firewood, moisture, age and normal use can damage refractory mortar and firebrick. Loose or significantly deteriorated firebox material should be assessed before continued use.
Can DinoMac repair an old masonry fireplace?
Yes. Depending on the fireplace, work can include repointing, firebrick replacement, hearth repair, selective rebuilding and restoration of brick or natural stone facing.
Can an existing fireplace be faced with natural stone?
In many situations, yes. The existing structure, clearances, fireplace type and supporting surface need to be considered before a new stone or brick surround is installed.
Who should inspect a wood-burning fireplace and chimney system?
For a formal inspection of a solid-fuel-burning system in Canada, homeowners can use an appropriately qualified WETT-certified individual. WETT certification applies to individuals, not to appliances or companies.
Do you service gas fireplace appliances?
DinoMac's role is masonry work such as surrounds, hearths, brick and stone repair. Gas appliance servicing, fuel connections and appliance-specific repairs should be handled by an appropriately licensed or qualified gas technician.
Fireplace Masonry Questions
Separate the masonry repair from the appliance and venting questions.
Firebox, hearth and surround repairs belong to the masonry side of the system. Broader solid-fuel appliance and venting questions may require the appropriate inspection specialist.
Firebox
Does cracked firebrick need repair?
Learn when firebox cracks can be monitored and when refractory or firebrick should be repaired.
Chimney
How does the masonry chimney work?
Follow the smoke path from the fireplace through the throat, smoke chamber and flue.
Water
Why is my chimney leaking?
Water entering from above can affect the firebox, damper, flue and surrounding masonry.
Repair Scope
Does the chimney need repointing or rebuilding?
Compare mortar loss, damaged units and movement before deciding how much masonry needs to come apart.
Ready to Discuss the Work?
If the firebrick, hearth, surround or masonry chimney is deteriorating, send photos of the whole fireplace and the damaged area.
Tell DinoMac what you are seeing, where the property is located and what you would like to accomplish. If you have photos, they can help establish the next step.
Fireplace Builder PEI
Planning a new fireplace, renovation or masonry repair?
Send clear photos of the full fireplace, close-ups of the damaged area and the project location. If the issue involves smoke, draft or the chimney, mention that as well.