Protruding Hearth Bricks - How to Handle?

[jkmola]

Below is a pic of my fireplace. I'm pretty sure I've settled on which insert I'm getting. I MIGHT have to do a little (very little) chisel work where the top corners of the insert fit. It's gonna be close.

My issue is the bricks that form the arch portion stick out 1" farther than the rest. The surround will cover the arch, but then there will be a one inch gap around the edges. Should I just take some 1" square stock, paint it to match best I can and stick behind the surround? What other options might you suggest?

 

[bsruther]

You could frame behind the surround with brick veneer.

 

[captain soot]

Below is a pic of my fireplace. I'm pretty sure I've settled on which insert I'm getting. I MIGHT have to do a little (very little) chisel work where the top corners of the insert fit. It's gonna be close.

My issue is the bricks that form the arch portion stick out 1" farther than the rest. The surround will cover the arch, but then there will be a one inch gap around the edges. Should I just take some 1" square stock, paint it to match best I can and stick behind the surround? What other options might you suggest?
I would chip them flush after you put in a insert there is no good reason to go back to the fireplace

st: 1806475, member: 38206"]Below is a pic of my fireplace. I'm pretty sure I've settled on which insert I'm getting. I MIGHT have to do a little (very little) chisel work where the top corners of the insert fit. It's gonna be close.

My issue is the bricks that form the arch portion stick out 1" farther than the rest. The surround will cover the arch, but then there will be a one inch gap around the edges. Should I just take some 1" square stock, paint it to match best I can and stick behind the surround? What other options might you suggest?

[/quote]
Chip them flush, I

 

[Boiler74]

You could get a diamond wheel for an angle grinder and cut the protruding brick away where needed for your insert to sit flush. Will be VERY dusty. The wheel sounds expensive... diamond.... But they aren't that bad.

 

[BobUrban]

Lots of options including place it and see how it looks? Cut the existing brick to allow a flush fit(the angle grinder and stone wheel are not really expensive) or fill as you described with square stock or even angle. Another option if you have some brick that matches or remains from the original fire place is to cut bricks to fill the gap.

 

[cdcarter82]

Could you cut the surround to match the existing arch?

 

[rwhite]

Could you cut the surround to match the existing arch?

I would consider not purchasing a surround and have a custom one made to match the arch. That would look best.

 

[jkmola]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. You've given me several viable options. I'll mull over the pros/cons of each. Much appreciated.