System to dry-attach stone tiles?

Question

I want to cover a brick fireplace. The bricks are glazed. I'd probably like to have a very straight-lined floor to ceiling rectangular box clad with simple smooth stone tiles. The original fireplace behind is not perfectly rectangular, it gets a little more narrow on one side as it gets to the top. Therefore, I guess there should be a metal framework that you can make and 'clip' the stone tiles on to it, thus elimination the problem of what the shape of the original fireplace is? what's this called? any links? or any other suggestions? cheapest solution possible please.

Also the original chimney was used for a coal fire when the house was built. Then used for oil, then gas. The hole for the flu is quite low down and the wood burning stove that I want to install has a snorkel that goes much higher. Is it just a case of sealing the original hole (professionally) and cutting a new one higher up?

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

I recently did a job just like this

I tore off the brick then used metal stud framing to make a new front attached hardi backer and then tiled the whole thing

This is not a DIY job hire a pro

I charged about 900$

the fireplace was 4 ft tall and 6 ft wide