skip to main content

Convert Decorative Fireplace to Gas Insert

9 years ago

We have a 1924 Four Square in Pittsburgh. This is the fireplace... I assume that it's originally like that, but I don't know for sure. It's tiled all the way shut. There is a gas pipe sticking up from the floor from the basement below.

I'd like to tear the tile out, put a gas insert in, and redo the surround w/ a mantel (sticking w/ the style of the house, but I'd like to get some wood in there!)

Does anyone have experience with this type of fireplace? The chimney does run up behind it, but I don't know that it's "connected". The current opening is not wide enough for the insert I'd considered, but I think we could make the opening larger just by building it out into the room a little bit.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

selcier
9 years ago
Hi!

I saw your post in the fireplace forums, but it was a bit old so I thought I'd email you. :)

First of all, I'm also in a foursquare in Pittsburgh (Greenfield) - nice to see someone else!

Second: We just had our decorative fireplace outfitted with a Victorian gas insert. I can't seem to send links through this email system, so I will upload them to your original post.

We went through Hearth and Home up in Zelienople. http://www.hearthandhomepa.com/
They were awesome: they came out to the house to look at the fireplace/chimney, installed liners, a cap, the actual insert and extended the gas line.

The insert we got was the Windsor Arch in the chrome finish. Very traditional. http://www.valorfireplaces.com/products/portrait-windsor.php

Under their other Zero clearance gas inserts there are more modern or Federal looking inserts. All the manuals for minimum clearances are listed in their pdf forms on the website. I can't remember what ours was, but we didn't have that tight of a fit.

Hope this helps!

{{gwi:2134528}}
DomerJen
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks! Would you be willing to share the price for the work you had done (insert + chimney work)?
Related Discussions
No love from fireplace forum - gas insert, anyone?
Q
Comments (26)
That is a really nice set Rebbecamom. I think your concern was wixe because, from the photos, it looks like the cabinets projecting at the side of the fireplace may cross the zone where you shouldn't have combustibles with a wood fire. At least for our wood burning fireplace, the installation instructions say there should be no combustibles in front of a line that goes out from the side of the firebox at 45 degrees for 24" on each side of the fireplace up to some height above the fireplace. I don't know how universal that requirement is, so perhaps your set up would have been okay with your fireplace. We put in a wood burning fireplace for the family room that is sealed so there is no issue with embers or sparks. It heats the family room really well and provides the look of real flames, but one can't hear the crackling of the fire. Also, we don't feel comfortable running it when our little grandchildren are visiting because the glass gets really hot - if we were going to run it with small children around, we would probably want to put a protective fence of some sort around it which would not help ambiance. It uses external air intake which can be adjusted to control how hot the fire burns and to damp down the rate of burn. It is nice to not have to worry about leaving the fire going when we go to bed. For the living room fireplace, we are considering putting in a gas log set - we have never used that fireplace and have no need of running it for heat, but it would be nice to turn it on occasionally for looks when using the room. We don't need two heating fireplaces and I don't want to deal with wood in the living room.
...See More
Gas fireplace conversion: do we need an insert? Insert suggestions?
Q
Comments (12)
For those folks in similar situations the problem with gas inserts is that most manufacturers only make about 3 sizes of inserts - small medium and large. Since an insert has to fit various sized fireplaces they are generally short in height and don't adequately fill the opening hence the outer surround panels to cover out to the existing surface. The largest inserts rarely exceed 24" tall so in a 42" x 42" opening as shown in the sketch above, the gas unit does not fill the opening,and has way too much black surround. Valor Gas Fireplaces makes 4 Insert specific units, but their 7 zero clearance fireplaces can also be used as Inserts if the fireplace is large enough. If your F.P. opening is about 53" W x 54" H you can fit a 50" Linear inside. This means that Valor has 11 inserts, more than any other manufacturer. A Valor H6 fireplace is 42-1/4" w x 34-1/2" H which would fit if you have more than 42" If anyone needs more information contact me. Here is the Valor website for more information www.valorfireplaces.com
...See More
Convert a former wood burning fireplace, now a gas fireplace, back
Q
Comments (3)
Try hearth.com forum. There is probably people on those forums who can help you.
...See More
Converting wood fireplace to gas.
Q
Comments (4)
My last home had a full masonry fireplace designed for burning wood. We eventually tired of purchasing wood, storing wood, and hauling wood. We installed a set of gas logs which were much more convenient to use and much less hazardous (okay, I managed to activate the smoke alarm on a couple of occasions until the flue was heated and proper draft was established.) We had the flue inspected and cleaned prior to installation of the gas logs and we had the gas piping installation inspected by code compliance for safety. If your fireplace hasn't been used in a while, inspection of the flue is your first step. The condition of the flue may limit your options.
...See More
selcier
9 years ago
It was a bit pricey - but in my opinion totally worth it. I think it was 500-800 for all the install work (they need to do it, this is not a diy project) and 3500 for the actual unit. The different fronts were different prices but all the ones we considered were in the same general range.

Oh, and I wanted to mention that our chimney breast was covered all the way up tot he ceiling in faux 70's stone. So we ended up framing in the whole thing and dry-walling. That did give us some extra room for the insert. There are just certain measurements in terms of the studs that you need to make sure are correct.

We are also planning on installing a mantel. We bought a wooden one from construction junction but it isn't going to work out. That cast iron front sticks out about an inch from the wall. Just fyi. We did find a stale Victorian one on craigslist that sticks out from the wall. But if you are considering wood, you may need to go custom. The fireplace installers did have resources for mantels that would fit these models though.
DomerJen
Original Author
9 years ago
That doesn't sound much outside what we were anticipating... Thanks for all of your help!
selcier
9 years ago
You're welcome! Post some pics if you decide to go for it. :)

Related Stories

LIVING ROOMS How to Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace

By Laura Gaskill

Learn about inserts and other options for switching your fireplace from wood to gas or electric

INDUSTRIAL STYLE My Houzz: From Raw Space to Hip Home in a Converted Utah Garage

Creative repurposing with an industrial edge defines the first home of an engaged couple in Salt Lake City

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Step Inside a Converted Medieval Priory

By Luisa Rollenhagen

The owners of this historical property have used vintage finds and a playful style to create a welcoming family home

BASEMENTS Basement of the Week: Modern Style Converts an Empty Concrete Box

By Becky Harris

From raw wasteland to fab living, sleeping and storage space, this snazzy basement now covers all the angles

REMODELING GUIDES Clean-Burning Woodstoves Ignite a Greener Heating Trend

By Laura Gaskill

No need to rely on oil or gas to heat your home — new woodstove designs burn cleanly and are beautiful to boot

FIREPLACES Ribbons of Fire: 10 Artfully Minimalist Fireplaces

By Mary Jo Bowling

Long and lean and sleek to the core, these gas-burning fireplaces make a powerful contemporary statement

FIREPLACES What to Do With That Fireplace You’re Not Using

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Make the extra space work for you with artfully arranged logs, books or decorative objects

FIREPLACES 12 Hot Ideas for Fireplace Facing

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

From traditional brick to industrial steel, there’s a fireplace cladding here to light up your design

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways to Rock a TV and Fireplace Combo

By The Inman Company

Win the battle of the dueling focal points with a thoughtful fireplace arrangement that puts attention right where you want it

REMODELING GUIDES Modern Metal Fireplaces Open World of Possibilities

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Allowing way more natural light than traditional fireplaces, and with some not even needing a vent, metal fireplaces are a major improvement

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Trying to find info on a fireplace I saw in November articles

4

Please help! How do I Hide the Gas Line in my Fireplace?

1

Fireplace makeover

1

Can I add a built-in?

1

Is this concrete?

2