Seal Gas Fireplace Insert to uneven wall

[jonboy834]

Recently installed Valor G3 Nat Gas Insert into existing hearth (replaced 25 yr old Valor 470MN). The fireplace wall is in natural stone - very uneven - so G3 has gaps between trim/unit and stonework - up to 1.5 ". Result is that a great deal of heat from the Valor unit escapes upward to the wood mantelshelf, which gets very hot. (Cannot touch it!) Problem could be solved with horizontal strip of some heat-resistant ceramic-wool board say 1/2" thick across the top of Valor trim suround to seal the gap . .. Any comments/suggestions?

 

[DAKSY]

One option would be to trace the outline using an old-style school compass,
the kind with a pencil in it, onto a piece of carboard. Cut along the outline
with scissors, & the trace the pattern onto a piece of sheet metal.
Cut that outline out & adhere the sheet metal to the existing return on the shroud.
Probably more labor intensive than you want to get, but if you're careful, it'll look good.

Another way is to take the flat fiberglass insulation that is used for sealing fire place doors,
It comes in different widths & thicknesses & can be painted black with high heat paint.
It will look good from across the room but maybe not so much up close.

 

[jonboy834]

One option would be to trace the outline using an old-style school compass,
the kind with a pencil in it, onto a piece of carboard. Cut along the outline
with scissors, & the trace the pattern onto a piece of sheet metal.
Cut that outline out & adhere the sheet metal to the existing return on the shroud.
Probably more labor intensive than you want to get, but if you're careful, it'll look good.

Another way is to take the flat fiberglass insulation that is used for sealing fire place doors,
It comes in different widths & thicknesses & can be painted black with high heat paint.
It will look good from across the room but maybe not so much up close.

Good option. Not familiar with Fiberglass for fireplace doors. Could you provide URL for this? I also considered heat-resistant ceramic panel (McMaster Carr?) but overkill (resists 2000F+) and I could not locate any around here.

 

[DAKSY]

Something like this:

Fireplace Insert Insulation 10-Foot Roll

Features:• 1-1/2" wide by 10' long roll.• Rated to 225 degrees Fahrenheit.• Pressure sensitive self adhesive backing.• Helps to limit air leaking between your insert and masonry fireplace opening.Instructions:• Peel off backing and apply to the back of the fireplace insert flange to seal the...

midwesthearth.com