Heat & Glo LifeStyle SLR32 owner manual Painting, Wallboard Joint-CrackPrevention and Repair

	• For the initial Taping Coat, it is critical that a general-
	purpose chemically hardening joint compound, such
	as SHEETROCK™ Brand Durabond™ Setting-Type
	Joint Compound, be used to fill the joint and embed
	the mesh tape. Fiberglass-mesh tape is recommended
	because it will provide a more crack-resistant joint
	than one finished with paper tape. Let the Taping
	Coat properly cure before applying subsequent Finish
	Coats.
FIREPLACE OPENING	• For the second and third finishing coats, it is acceptable
15-7/8 IN. TO 16-1/8 IN.
	to use a light-weight joint compound and standard
	application, curing and sanding methods.
	• Do not operate the fireplace during the drywall finishing
	process. Allow the finish coat to cure for at least 24
	hours prior to using the appliance.

	Painting
	If desired finishing includes a painted wall, 100%
	acrylic latex with compatible primer is recommend
	around	the	appliance. Oil-based or	standard
Figure 13.4. Required Fireplace Opening Height	acrylic	paints	may discolor due to heat	exposure.
Note: The lower cover panel must be pushed all the way	Wallboard Joint-Crack Prevention and Repair
down. The outer finishing flanges should line up. The fire-
	Wallboard joints around the fireplace will be affected
place opening must be between 15-7/8 in. and 16-1/8 in.
for the decorative fronts to fit correctly. See Figure 13.4.	by exposure to elevated temperatures, along with
	other environmental and structural factors. The specific
	methods presented in the previous section will help
Finish and Sealing Joints	prevent or minimize development of cracks.
All joints between the finished wall sheathing and the	If a crack does emerge adjacent the fireplace, it can be
appliance must be sealed with non-combustible materials.	permanently repaired by filling it with spackling paste or
Sealants, such as caulk or mastic used to seal the gap	paintable latex caulk, followed by repainting.
between the wall and the fireplace, should be rated at
a minimum continuous exposure to 300°F. Wall board
joints can be taped and sealed with combustible drywall
tape.

Finishing Around Opening with Gypsum Wallboard

Gypsum wallboard (drywall) joints adjacent to the fireplace opening require special attention to minimize potential development of cracking. Hearth and Home Technologies recommends the following steps to minimize potential cracks in the finished drywall around the fireplace opening:

•When installing gypsum wallboard around the fireplace, install the hole for the fireplace opening in a single wallboard sheet, if possible. This will minimize the joints adjacent to the fireplace opening.

•The factory-supplied non-combustible board and the gypsum wallboard must join on the structural framing, where applicable. Wallboard and non-combustible board should be fastened to the framing with at least 1-1/4 in. long screw fasteners, located within 1-1/2 in. from each corner, and at no more than 12 inch intervals along the joint length.

•The wall-board joints should be finished with a Taping Coat, followed by at least two subsequent Finish Coats of joint compound.

Heat & Glo • SLR32 • 2269-900 Rev. E • 4/12 51