Fix fireplace, not use an insert

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.

RusticLion

New Member
Oct 5, 2022
4
Wisconsin
We love our wood burning fireplace. It’s got a rusted out hole above the firebox (metal) so we can’t use it. The estimates we’ve received mainly say to cut out the heater tubes, top of the firebox and then run a chimney liner and slap in an insert.

We don’t want an insert and would love to somehow fix this instead to continue using it.
We don’t use it for our main heat source and just love the ambience of the fireplace crackling.

Not sure our options. Can we completely cut out the firebox and rebuild it with masonry? I’ve researched a bit on the HeatShield PriorFire Retrofit system as well but not sure if that would work.

Any and all ideas welcome. Some pics attached.

D4E8B64B-F29A-482A-8CEA-B6AE12B010A4.jpeg 68043160-262F-4AC6-91EF-212A5FC6F341.jpeg 2F063817-B35C-4C70-9C0E-A8E36E101922.jpeg E1561B7D-56D2-418C-AAB8-E7A6A085B064.jpeg
 
We love our wood burning fireplace. It’s got a rusted out hole above the firebox (metal) so we can’t use it. The estimates we’ve received mainly say to cut out the heater tubes, top of the firebox and then run a chimney liner and slap in an insert.

We don’t want an insert and would love to somehow fix this instead to continue using it.
We don’t use it for our main heat source and just love the ambience of the fireplace crackling.

Not sure our options. Can we completely cut out the firebox and rebuild it with masonry? I’ve researched a bit on the HeatShield PriorFire Retrofit system as well but not sure if that would work.

Any and all ideas welcome. Some pics attached.

View attachment 299996 View attachment 299997 View attachment 299998 View attachment 299999
Yes it can be cut out and replaced with masonry. It isn't cheap. Definitely more than an insert
 
Thanks!
Ballpark on repair?
We got a few bids around $4,500 for the insert and liner.
It depends whether the existing clay liners are in good condition and built to code. Minimum $5000 but probably more like $6000 just for a new box. Very possibly $10000 for the box and a liner
 
Appreciate it!
It is also a bit concerning that who ever added the stone veneer covered the vent coming from those tubes. You really can't do that. And if they messed that up is the rest done properly?
 
It is also a bit concerning that who ever added the stone veneer covered the vent coming from those tubes. You really can't do that. And if they messed that up is the rest done properly?
It’s tough to see in the pics but there are vent openings in the stonework for the tubes.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bholler