diy fireplace installation

If you want the most practical DIY fireplace installation tips, safety is the most important element. You’ll find that fireplace installation can not only be difficult, but also dangerous in some cases. You have to use great care when handling gas-powered units and electrical units as well. Moreover, the difficulty of building vents, taking them through the roof and building a chimney can be greater than what you’re normally used to when it comes to your typical DIY project.

Consider the Type of Fireplace You Are Installing

Before doing anything else, it’s important to evaluate the type of unit you’d like to install. If you want a wood-burning fireplace, make sure local building codes allow you to have one installed, since the smoke can be considered damaging to the local environment, and some local governing officials have banned wood-burning units from their regions.

When it comes to wood and gas burning fireplaces you have to take into account the fact that there’s an open flame, so vents will usually be required. Ventless systems don’t present this issue, and in some cases it will be much easier to install an electrical unit.

Framing and Venting

Among DIY fireplace installation tips, the tasks relating to framing and venting are the most important. When framing the fireplace, you have to follow the instructions carefully and make your measurements as accurately as possible. A raised mounting platform will also be required in some cases, to prevent fire hazards and make sure the actual fire is far away from any combustible surface.

Once you set the frame and mantle in place, it’s time to take care of the venting elements. These are essential in the case of wood and gas-powered units, as they allow any smoke and odors to escape more easily, so that the air in your home remains unaffected. First make sure the vent collar is properly configured, then use sealant to attach the vent pipe to the appliance, before using self-tapping sheet metal screws to secure it into place. Take special care to install the provided firestop properly on the ceiling, so that any accidental fires can be subdued and installation standards upheld.

Roofs and Chimneys

When passing the vent through the attic, insulation and roof, you’ll have to pay special attention to how you re-seal the hole so that no heat will escape your home though it, underneath the venting pipes.

Reciprocating or jig saws should be used to cut a proper sized hole in the roof and channel the venting components through. After that’s done, building standards require that you use superior grade flashing to seal the hole around the chimney. Aluminum flashing is the most common and effective for that purpose.

Finally, when installing the chimney, it’s important to make sure you use the appropriate system designed for the type of fireplace you have. A lance system should be used if you have a wood-burning fireplaces, while gas fireplaces will require a twist lock system.

With electrical fireplaces, your job will be far easier, since you won’t need to install vents, and the biggest installation issue will have to do with mounting the fireplace where it’s supposed to be and attaching all the wiring properly.

Considering how complicated this DIY process is, you may want to consider hiring an experienced gas fireplace Denver installer to make sure everything is installed safely and correctly.