This has been bugging me. The top of the surround is one inch away from the brick chimney at the top. At the bottom it is snug up to the brickwork. This is the way the installer left it. I never called him back. I have access to the stove from the back since it is a double sided fireplace. The space at the top does heat up the brick vary nicely. Hopefully there are other rockland 550 owners who may have had this problem. Thanks in advance for any advice.