I can not find good guidance on this issue, so was hoping for help.
I am going to add a direct vent insert to an existing fireplace, not planning on a blower because it is for one small room. I can just mount it normal, but I would really like to purchase an antique wood surround and mantel I have found that would make this project a bit more complex. This surround extends about 10 inches in front of the wall that the existing fireplace is installed in, resulting in a dead space between the antique wood surround and the existing tile surround for the fireplace. So, in order to mount an insert flush with the face of the antique surround, the insert would have to extend 10" out of the firebox.
Note that the insert would not be directly against the wood surround, I would have about 15" on top and 10" on each side for a nonflammable surround, and plenty of clearance for the mantle.
My question is: The manuals I have read for inserts do state that the insert should be in an existing fireplace. However, is this 10" extrusion going to really be an issue, either with safety or damage to the wood surround? If so, any ideas on a cheaper solution, if i need to have a full masonry extension added to the existing firebox, I will probably skip this plan, but if some cheaper/easier insulation in the 10" dead-space would work, that would be great. I have thought about using a zero clearance fireplace, but with the existing dimensions of my firebox (about 34"W x 28"H x 15"D(+ the 10" extension)), it seems that may be difficult without getting a very small viewing area.
Thanks for the help, just looking for some quick guidance so I can figure out if I should buy this mantle from the antique store before someone else does.
Thanks again, Nathan
I am going to add a direct vent insert to an existing fireplace, not planning on a blower because it is for one small room. I can just mount it normal, but I would really like to purchase an antique wood surround and mantel I have found that would make this project a bit more complex. This surround extends about 10 inches in front of the wall that the existing fireplace is installed in, resulting in a dead space between the antique wood surround and the existing tile surround for the fireplace. So, in order to mount an insert flush with the face of the antique surround, the insert would have to extend 10" out of the firebox.
Note that the insert would not be directly against the wood surround, I would have about 15" on top and 10" on each side for a nonflammable surround, and plenty of clearance for the mantle.
My question is: The manuals I have read for inserts do state that the insert should be in an existing fireplace. However, is this 10" extrusion going to really be an issue, either with safety or damage to the wood surround? If so, any ideas on a cheaper solution, if i need to have a full masonry extension added to the existing firebox, I will probably skip this plan, but if some cheaper/easier insulation in the 10" dead-space would work, that would be great. I have thought about using a zero clearance fireplace, but with the existing dimensions of my firebox (about 34"W x 28"H x 15"D(+ the 10" extension)), it seems that may be difficult without getting a very small viewing area.
Thanks for the help, just looking for some quick guidance so I can figure out if I should buy this mantle from the antique store before someone else does.
Thanks again, Nathan
