a week or two for more extensive projects.Īn insert, coupled with a new mantel, refacing the existing brick and updating the hearth can give that old masonry fireplace in your living room an entirely different look and feel. An insert can be installed in a few hours vs. The cost of an insert will be significantly less than removing a fireplace. It’s entirely possible that a wood, gas, pellet or electric insert will be able to be quickly installed into your existing fireplace. If your wood burning fireplace can still safely burn wood, an insert could be installed. CONSIDER AN INSERT:įireplace inserts can be installed in “wood-worthy” fireplaces. Giving the hearth and mantel an upgrade is normally rather easy to do. That being said, the look of some older brick fireplaces can be changed by installing a cultured stone or brick directly over it. Masonry fireplaces can be repaired, but completely tearing them down is another story and is seldom recommended. If removing a ZC fireplace is major surgery, removing a masonry fireplace is drastic, last resort surgery. You will not be able to remove a masonry fireplace as easily and quickly as a ZC model. With proper planning, this would be the time to do it. Depending on the size of the rough opening, whether gas, wood or electric, you’ll have many replacement options to choose from.Ī side note many people like to mount a TV above the fireplace. Many people give their family room a makeover by removing old, outdated wood burning ZC fireplaces and replacing them with a new direct vented gas model. Odds are in your favor that your WE LOVE FIRE expert will have several options that will fit this opening. The height, depth and width are the key dimensions. If you plan to install a new, more efficient fireplace, carefully measure the rough opening size. All equipment, chimney components and supports will need to be removed. The chimney will be supported and/or braced in a couple of spots as it goes up through the ceiling and roof. To remove a zero clearance fireplace, demolition starts by carefully opening up the wall and getting to the framing that anchors the fireplace into position. Normally at least 2” of air clearance to any combustible framing members is necessary for chimney pipe. The chimney for a ZC wood burning fireplace must be installed up through the ceiling and roof. However, the installation of a ZC fireplace is relatively quick and straight forward. There are still clearance requirements for finishing the fireplace, particularly the hearth, mantel, both sides and above the fireplace opening. During installation, framing members can actually be in contact with safety brackets, called “stand-offs”, that are mounted on the sides and top of the unit. This allows for installation into a framed 2”x4” or 2”圆” wall. ZERO CLEARANCE OPTIONS:Ī zero clearance fireplace has an outer, jacketed shell that houses the firebox. Updating (and repairing) if needed, rather the removal should be the focus here. This type of fireplace is normally quite difficult and expensive to remove. A masonry structure goes from the basement through the first, second and/or even third floor of a house and out the roof. Masonry fireplaces are not framed into a wall like their ZC cousins, but built at the time the house went up. In order to support the weight of the block, brick and stone, a masonry fireplace is supported in your basement by footings. Masonry fireplaces, however, are built differently than ZC models. Masonry fireplaces are notorious for losing warm air from the house for the same reasons stated above. these are legitimate reasons for thinking about removing (or updating) a fireplace. Ineffective dampers that do not seal, inexpensive bi-fold doors that leak air or may be missing all together, no control on the amount of combustion air going to the fire, a tired or outdated look. Many lower end, builder-box, zero clearance (ZC) fireplaces, built into a framed wall and installed in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, are grossly inefficient by today’s standards. There are a lot of fireplaces across the country that likely remove more heat from the house than they contribute to it. Can it be done? How practical would it be to do so? Is it expensive? Are there any cost effective alternatives? Let’s try to help you determine if removing a fireplace is a project you should be contemplating. There are a few reasons for considering removing a fireplace.
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