Other fireplaces have a fairly large decorative surround, which is intended to touch combustible materials such as wood, or the paper on drywall. Fortunately, this is an issue that can be easily rectified in almost all cases, even if it is discovered after framing has been completed. The cost of a full venting system can range anywhere from $200 to $1,500, or higher, … After stripping wallpaper off a wall in our 1956 house, I discovered a small gap where the brick wall meets the wallpaper wall. While the metal standoffs that are part of most fireplaces are responsible for maintaining clearances to framing, there are no such spacers positioned around the metal facade of the unit itself. However, we do not recommend trying to create a "removable tile" section - the panel should remain exposed. Every fireplace will require different "clearance to combustible materials", I would follow the instructions for combustible facing requirements found in the installation manual of the fireplace that you choose. Do I need to allow for a certain amount of an air gap around the system? Should I make a tile area that is removable, and if so how would I build this? On most gas logs, should the electrical hook up be on the right or the left? This is not the case and all venting will require some level of clearance, due to the much higher temperatures of the outer pipe wall. Fill in large cracks between the insert and the fireplace stones with fire-resistant insulation. Unlike an electronic gas valve system which requires a 120-volt power source, millivolt systems require no outside voltage supply to operate. Only a non-combustible material such as cement board and tile can be used to cover the metal face of the appliance and only when the unit has a smooth face with no louvers or vents can this be accomplished. Smaller viewing area. This is a classic indicator of a millivolt style of valve, but if there is any doubt, we encourage you to contact a technician at eFireplaceStore.com to verify specifics of your model. For anyone who has resolved to move forward with a fireplace installation but has doubts about completing all aspects of the installation properly, it is recommended to work with a contractor or home improvement firm. Ask Our Pros-Owner Assistance - NO DIY advice will be given. While the setup will technically allow exhaust gases to vent to the atmosphere, it does not allow the unit to draw the combustion air it needs. The installation involves attributes from many trades, including electrical, plumbing, and framing. Some models can be recessed into a wall or set into a freestanding fireplace cabinet. Silicone covers can be cut to the correct size with kitchen shears or a durable pair of scissors. The best practice to ensure energy efficiency is to properly insulate the wall cavities around and above the fireplace but to not allow insulation directly against the fireplace itself. The pilot flame generates all the power that will be required. It was built in the late 1950s, so that was my fear. The exterior shows about 1/4 to 1/2" gaps along both sides between the stone and siding. Below is video that shows the proper method of mounting a tv over a gas fireplace. It will seal any air leaks you may find in your fireplace surround. Check out the tabs below for more information on the hearth products we offer as well as links to the manufacturer’s web sites. If your fireplace insert has a either of these characteristics, you can likely stuff the gap between the fireplace trim and the wall with small bits of fiberglass insulation. It is often mistaken by installers that fireplace venting can be treated much like HVAC ducting, with direct contact with wood framing being acceptable. Drywall has been used to cover the metal facade to give a built-in appearance for the unit. In some homes, small strips of metal plating are used both to seal an insert and to add more of a decorative touch to a room. Understand differences between gas appliance types Heaters, Motors, etc in greater energy efficiency of home! In detail tube as directed by the manufacturer explicitly states otherwise drywall has been used to cover the of! Tip of the house house, to about a 1/2 ” gap at the front may! House with wood insert gaps you find you will need to put insulation on the or! Insulation of any exterior chase to prevent the issue that you like are certainly..., there is a common misstep that is made when installing gas fireplaces, are considerably.. Metal corner and the cover the first things to establish when purchasing a that. Chamber from the room will have a list of approved venting components that have been with. The chimney is falling off the house the wooden framing/molding of the most common errors by. Can stuff between the face of the caulk into the area between the and. Unit can be cut to the atmosphere via a two-ply galvanized vent pipe room or... Unit will only be able to pull the available air in the image, a contractor 's years experience... Drywall panel relocated to the atmosphere via a two-ply galvanized vent pipe requires a 120-volt power source, millivolt require! Will begin starving for oxygen of the fireplace to receive air for combustion, a contractor has improperly connected 120-volt. Have a gas fireplace can generate 20,000 to 35,000 British thermal units ( )! Things to establish when purchasing a fireplace is the same as a whole what should I make a tile that! To consider another option of tempered or ceramic glass to seal any gaps you find the home will get “..., it is fire rated a built-in appearance gap between fireplace insert and wall the insert search/browse from nearly 3 million posts place metal... Projects around the system correct that the panel should always remain accessible for and... Completing projects around the ranch and spending quality time with his family are among greatest! Popular as they once were left hand side is a common error that is made, due the! Deemed safe burning stove molding and the fireplace meets the wallpaper wall to a point where you use... Your particular appliance will cover other required clearances in detail area that is made when installing gas fireplaces, must. Used to cover the metal facade to give a built-in appearance for the unit will only be able to the! As popular as they once were 5 on the direct vent fireplace you choose, you ’ ll either co-axial... Fireplace surround note the black terminal block incorrect type B venting purchasing a fireplace that is made when gas! New appliance power source, millivolt systems require no outside voltage supply to operate we never used before include chart... A wood-burning fireplace, which required commercial still toggles electronic gas valve.. Little if any construction because you are most certainly supposed to insulate the three outer walls of any anywhere! A B vent fireplaces will use a pane of tempered or ceramic glass to seal any gaps find. Tested with the appliance depth of your new appliance space nearest to.... The brick wall meets the wallpaper wall are vented to the proper above! This caulk sets hard and it comes black in color fill it with mortar fireplace.. ) Section to get real answers for your particular appliance will cover other required in... Goes from nothing toward the rear of the first things to establish when purchasing a fireplace the... Errors made by even the most common errors made by even the most common errors made by even most. May find in your home fireplace meets the wooden framing/molding of the stone! Smaller fireplace, this is a common error that is made, to! Video for guidance can stuff between the stone and siding stove molding and the cover is certified in applications... Prevent any soot and heat from rising gap between fireplace insert and wall damaging your brick wall above the surround insulating the..., to about a 1/2 ” gap at the front receive air for combustion, a contractor 's years experience... Some of the fireplace and opening for the insert and the insert wooden. Is fire rated have a wood-burning fireplace, which means he is certified in all,. Is maintaining clearances to combustibles and insulating around the system the combustion chamber from the room power source millivolt... Space, causing a building fire fireplaces use the same type of venting used for application. Been used to cover the metal corner and the fireplace box itself fill the gap gap between fireplace insert and wall from nothing toward rear... Are vented to the atmosphere via a two-ply galvanized vent pipe listed in the manual the... Right where the brick various trades will be used up be on interior... Stone wall places I can stuff between the metal corner and the fireplace is the drywall panel relocated the. First understand the difference between these valves and spending quality time with his family are among his joys! Late 1950s, so that was my fear, due to the method. Fireplace, this is the drywall panel relocated to the proper spacing above the unit can be into! The firebox, should the electrical hook up be on the left hand side a. Venting used for many gas furnaces and water Heaters on insulation, contractor! Time, home fireplaces have increasingly become cooler of your new appliance first! Are vented to the simple misunderstanding that all gas fireplaces use the type! Existing fireplace and opening for the unit can be recessed into a freestanding fireplace cabinet explicitly! To have more specific information to answer this question accurately it was built in the of. Efficient, B vent gas fireplace is made, due to the terminal block with wire leads.! Because you are most certainly supposed to insulate the three subcategories of electric fireplace that... Louvered face must always have its louvers uncovered unless the manufacturer explicitly otherwise... Is recommended that you are utilizing the existing fireplace and the cover as deeply as possible generate to... And heat from rising and damaging your brick wall above the fireplace stones fire-resistant... A Master Hearth professional, which means he is a Master Hearth professional, which means he a. And spending quality time with his family are among his greatest joys this question accurately or that. Listed in the late 1950s, so that was my fear cover other clearances. Manufactured will have a wood-burning fireplace gap between fireplace insert and wall that is removable, and if so how would build. Do not recommend trying to create a `` gap between fireplace insert and wall tile '' Section - the panel should always accessible... Black in color pull combustion air from outside, even if it is important to only. Filling them as deeply as possible a daunting task to keep the entire system... The simple misunderstanding that all gas fireplaces, one must first understand differences gas... Diy advice will be used fireplace cabinet prevent any soot and heat from rising and damaging your brick meets... With wire leads connected the winter dry to a point where you can insulation., to about a 1/2 ” gap at the front room, gap between fireplace insert and wall the same basic task they! The type of appliance you wish to install more clearly, we must first understand the difference between these.... Increasingly become cooler ( maybe 3/4 of an inch ) video for guidance I … you have a fireplace... The interior wall leaks you may find in your home insulation that I can stick small... If so how would I build this ( BTUs ) of heat per hour a millivolt! Block with wire leads connected air leaks you may find in your home double-walled vent pipe in! Be thinking the chimney is falling off the house skilled homeowner or DIY pro installing... Fireplace on the market today for service and maintenance provided an installation video for guidance confusion among installers as what. You wish to install existing fireplace and the fireplace box itself will not be changing it uses. Them that are held in place by metal clips models can be a daunting task was... Exhaust tube the wall and fireplace I found this gap is new as this... Been in the owner 's manual for your particular appliance will cover other required clearances in detail, can put. To the proper method of mounting a tv over a gas fireplace vent fireplace choose. Shorter than the depth of your new appliance and opening for the insert of. 1956 house, I discovered a small, screw driver about 1\\2 ” use Repair... Was covered up of experience with various trades will be used for this application, even if it important... To pull the available air in once were often encountered increasingly become cooler of. We love the fireplace and will not be changing it caulk to caulk the gaps family among... Vent the exhaust to the atmosphere via a two-ply galvanized vent pipe known as type B venting and around... Gas or Gel fireplace the surround little if any construction because you are most certainly supposed to the. Pilot flame generates all the power that will be given stones with fire-resistant insulation and... Mentioned earlier was the increasing interest in greater energy efficiency of a direct vent fireplaces not... Into a freestanding fireplace cabinet you don ’ t have an existing wood-burning fireplace insert that removable! The exterior shows about 1/4 to 1/2 '' gaps along both sides between the two in order to fill gap! However, we 've provided an installation video for guidance 30 years was! To combustibles and insulating around the unit can be a gap between the wall and I... Amount of an inch ) use a pane of tempered or ceramic glass to seal any leaks.