drtom77, Wolf recommends 36" for max height, so you should be fine. Are you measuring from the top of the rangetop grates? Here's my situation: I have a Wolf rangetop, interior wall, 36" tall counters, and I'm 5'11" tall. Ventilation is a Broan Elite 1200 cfm external roof mounted blower, 10" duct, a long run with 2 -90 degree turns and an angle. My arched wood hood is 34 1/2" above the rangetop grates at the center of the arch(gives 2" clearance for my head). My liner/insert is recessed inside it at 38 1/2" above the rangetop grates. Too high IMO! My hood operates by a variable speed knob. The lowest setting is worthless. Medium is great for most jobs and high effective for very smokey or grease spattering stuff. There are no lingering smells in my kitchen and operation is quiet. I wouldn't lower the hood and bump my head, but I'd stay at the 36" max height. Also if you do have to run your hood at a tad higher speed for effectiveness, the operation should be quiet with your in-line blower. Just my opinion. Hope it helps!

I think you need a local expert who can look at your situation first hand. I have a bumped out dxv 45. The space I bumped it into was a deck with 2x10 stringers and a 2x6 deck. No reinforcement was needed, even with cultured stone going up 24 feet. The fire place isnt' that heavy--shipping weight is only 250 lbs., but if you want to face the inside or out with natural stone, the area will probably need re-inforcement. If the bump out is near ground level, it won't be hard to lay a small cement pad for the FP. If you are inclined to finish it with tile or cultured stone I think there's a good possibility that a cantilever will work. Side note: I'm having big issues with my 45. It just doesn't look right. The flames are too uniform, and barely peak up between the logs. My two mendota 42s are tremendous, everything I hoped for and more. I'm starting to suspect that the 45 has something wrong, like a pressure regulator that isn't letting in enough gas. Oh, another thing to remember: for a good burn, you can't go straight out the back with the vent pipe [even though the pics on the website makes it look like you can]. Especially if you are at a higher elevation, the vent needs some vertical rise for a good 'draw' of air. Try and get a sense of how much experience your dealer has with these units, and judge his advice accordingly.

Should be able to, but... First, read the Insert Manual. If you don't have it, find the model and manufacturer on the rating plate (should be on the base near the valve). Go to the manufacturer's website and download it for free. Second, pull the unit out and see what kind of room you have to play with your Damper opening. Some are a bit larger than others and will allow to bring the venting closer to the front. If you've never pulled your insert out, there should be a plate atop the unit which the two flex lines are attached. Carefully slide that back as you pull the unit forward (should be some sort of handle pushed in at the top you will need to pull out, reattach and slide back - refer to manual). Oh, and make sure the gas line is disconnected. If you do have the room, all your framing clearances (clearances to combustables) will be stated in the Manual. Or use metal studs and cement board. If it is going to be tight on the venting and you run a risk of pinching the vent, I recommend you do not attempt it. Should be plenty of play with the 8" you say you have. Venting is most likely a 3" flex. Keep in mind that Inserts are designed to vent vertically, not horizontally. Any long horizontal run and you may loose some of your draft which may cause problems with the burn. The other thing you could do, as Oruboris had stated, is purchasing a new "built-in" fireplace and run a flex line from that up your existing flue. In that case you will probably be bumping out more than 12" though.

Can you put your TV on a wall next to the fireplace with a console beneath to anchor it? The are TV wall attachments allowing you to angle the TV for viewing. It would help to see a room layout and other views of the room.