Modifing insert surround to work with split stone fireplace

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mattring

New Member
Oct 18, 2009
6
Southeastern WI
Looking for ideas here. I'd love to install an insert into my existing fireplace. The problem I'm facing is what to do with the surround. As you can see from the photo I've got a split stone face on my existing fireplace. Any insert I purchase will be larger then my opening with the provided surround and with the irregular split stone I will not be able to install the insert flush to the fireplace face. I thought of cutting down the supplied insert but that leads to alot of custom fab. work which I'm not thrilled about and the wife is partial to the cast iron surrounds like those from Jotul or VC. I could also chip away at the stones, but am afraid of taking off too much or cracking the stone completely and I'd still have a somewhat less irregular surface which I'd still have to close up somehow. Chipping away the stones would also ruin the look of the fireplace if the insert was ever removed. I think I'm leaning towards installing the insert as far as I can ( contacting the 2 stones that stick out the farthest, the one on the bottom left and the one on the top center ) then attaching a piece of steel to the surround which I'll scribe around the stone and mortar in somehow. The gap when inserted as far as it will go is about +/- 2" maximum. Has anyone else had this problem? Any help suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Much,

Matt
 

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You might be better off with stove that sits on the hearth. This would require you to build out the hearth a little bit. I think that would be easier than chipping away a nice existing hearth.
 
If I go the scribing route, do you guys think I can get away with aluminum (flashing material) as it's easy to find and work with? Or would I need to use a heavier guage steel to take the heat?
 
Why not install whatever one you get & fill any gaps with 2"
black fireplace door gasket? It sells for about $2 per ft.
If you jam it in far enuff , it won't be visible - except directly from the side
& will eliminate the need to modify the surround...
 
My Chimney shop installer says he is going to cut my surround to size so it will match my brick surround spacing perfectly. Its only a formed metal panel if you go with a standard black panel and not a cast one, You could cut it and reform the edge and get it to fit just inside the edge of the stone vs on the outside. If you are concerned with the heat coming out since the insert will be moved in 3/4-1" then get or make a mantel deflector like they have on the Quadrafire 5100i
 
Why not install whatever one you get & fill any gaps with 2”
black fireplace door gasket? It sells for about $2 per ft.
If you jam it in far enuff , it won’t be visible - except directly from the side
& will eliminate the need to modify the surround
Click to expand...

Where could I find this typr of gasket? I could use some for another fireplace I have.
 
Hi,

I have a Country Insert, the "Performer". While not being a traditional install...I set the stove to the back of my existing masonry fireplace, left off the surround panels, and it looks great.

Also, the heat really dumps out of the opening, no blower. And I have more room for cook top use and humidifier.
 
RIJEEP said:
Hi,

I have a Country Insert, the "Performer". While not being a traditional install...I set the stove to the back of my existing masonry fireplace, left off the surround panels, and it looks great.

Also, the heat really dumps out of the opening, no blower. And I have more room for cook top use and humidifier.
Click to expand...

You have a pic?
 
I had the same issue so I did a recessed installation of my Lopi (see my Avatar). It's a bit more work, but I'm really happy with the end result.
 
DAKSY said:
Why not install whatever one you get & fill any gaps with 2"
black fireplace door gasket? It sells for about $2 per ft.
If you jam it in far enuff , it won't be visible - except directly from the side
& will eliminate the need to modify the surround...
Click to expand...

Dasky,

Got a link to share on this product?

Shari
 
Shari said:
DAKSY said:
Why not install whatever one you get & fill any gaps with 2"
black fireplace door gasket? It sells for about $2 per ft.
If you jam it in far enuff , it won't be visible - except directly from the side
& will eliminate the need to modify the surround...
Click to expand...

Dasky,

Got a link to share on this product?

Shari
Click to expand...

Hi, Shari,
Actually it's DAKSY, but everybody spells it wrong.
Sorry, but I can't find a link.
We get it in 25 ft rolls directly from the Stoll Fire Place Door Company

www.stollfireplaceinc.com

But I can't seem to find it on their website...
Maybe if you call Stoll, they can tell you where they get it...
 
Daksy,

Sorry - just a slip of the fingers on the keyboard - apologizes extended.

Shari
 
afblue said:
RIJEEP said:
Hi,

I have a Country Insert, the "Performer". While not being a traditional install...I set the stove to the back of my existing masonry fireplace, left off the surround panels, and it looks great.

Also, the heat really dumps out of the opening, no blower. And I have more room for cook top use and humidifier.
Click to expand...

You have a pic?
Click to expand...

I understand this isn't the MOST asthetic looking b/c of the lip which the surround panels attach to BUT...

In my 1100 sqft 1945 Cape style house with uninsulated exterior walls, its the best I could do! And my kids love it too.

The interior fireplace blocks are painted flat black.
 

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