Concern with Elite 44

[NJJOE345]

Hi guys,
In need of some guidance…
I am building a new home and ordered a Fireplace Xtrordinair 44. My main concern on this unit is how to remove for maintenance or if I ever decide to replace it.
From all the pictures I see it looks like the unit has masonry right down to the arched doors.
How would a unit like this be removed if need be? The only way I could see removing the unit in the future would be to remove whatever brick or stone around the unit in order to slide it out.
Does anyone have any experience with something similar to this scenario we are trying to avoid?
Please let me know any thoughts or experiences.

-Joe

 

[begreen]

The 44 Elite is a complete zeroclearance fireplace that is built-in and securely tied into framing and chimney. Removing one would not be trivial, but it can be done from the rear if the chase or house wall behind it is cut open. Otherwise it's a front tearout including enough surrounding facade to access the zc fireplace body.

 

[NJJOE345]

That scares me a bit, I would thinl eventually the unit will have to be removed at some point for maintenance or whatever the reason may be. I don't like the idea of removing half the stone to access the whole fireplace. It might be time to think of a freestanding stove in stead of the Elite 44.

 

[ratsrepus]

just put in a nice hearth and a free standing wood stove.

 

[bholler]

That scares me a bit, I would thinl eventually the unit will have to be removed at some point for maintenance or whatever the reason may be. I don't like the idea of removing half the stone to access the whole fireplace. It might be time to think of a freestanding stove in stead of the Elite 44.

It won't need to be removed for maintenance. But if used allot will eventually need to be replaced. Like begreen said that is not a small job.

 

[NJJOE345]

I am thinking of getting a custom faceplate for around the sides and top. That way it can be slid out when or if the time comes. I don't like the idea of destroying a lot of my fieldstone chimney in order to replace the unit. It's either that or cancel my order and get a freestander in it's place.

 

[bholler]

I am thinking of getting a custom faceplate for around the sides and top. That way it can be slid out when or if the time comes. I don't like the idea of destroying a lot of my fieldstone chimney in order to replace the unit. It's either that or cancel my order and get a freestander in it's place.

I guess you could do that but it would be a pretty big plate. You would still need to lift the chimney up away and most likely reframe for the new unit anyway

 

[dankor]

It won't need to be removed for maintenance. But if used allot will eventually need to be replaced. Like begreen said that is not a small job.

Eventually meaning a decade +, I assume?

 

[bholler]

Eventually meaning a decade +, I assume?

Unless it is abused it should last well over a decade