Hey there! Got an interesting question I can't find answered elsewhere. Hoping you folks can help!
I've got the common crack in a prefab wood-burning fireplace with the thin refractory panels and concrete base. The guy who patched it did an awful job, and I cannot patch it again. (The crack is too bad anyway.)
Now, I could look up the model number and all for the prefab panel. I'd probably have to buy an oversized and cut it myself. Either that or have a chimney specialist come out and charge me through the nose for 2+ panels.
Or - and here's my question - could I just lay firebricks (like these: (broken link removed to https://www.rutland.com/p/41/fire-bricks)) with refractory cement in the firebox? Wouldn't that be just as safe as having the panel inserts in there? Yeah, I'd lose some depth and width in the firebox where the logs burn, but it's gotta be easier than dealing with the thin panels.
Am I crazy or is this a good idea?
I've got the common crack in a prefab wood-burning fireplace with the thin refractory panels and concrete base. The guy who patched it did an awful job, and I cannot patch it again. (The crack is too bad anyway.)
Now, I could look up the model number and all for the prefab panel. I'd probably have to buy an oversized and cut it myself. Either that or have a chimney specialist come out and charge me through the nose for 2+ panels.
Or - and here's my question - could I just lay firebricks (like these: (broken link removed to https://www.rutland.com/p/41/fire-bricks)) with refractory cement in the firebox? Wouldn't that be just as safe as having the panel inserts in there? Yeah, I'd lose some depth and width in the firebox where the logs burn, but it's gotta be easier than dealing with the thin panels.
Am I crazy or is this a good idea?
