QA

Question: How To Build A Gas Fireplace Insert

Can I install a gas fireplace insert myself?

To make this upgrade to your existing fireplace, you can install a gas fireplace insert. Since this process requires working with vent pipes, electrical, and the gas supply, we recommend working with a professional instead of doing it yourself.

How much does it cost to build a gas fireplace?

The average costs related with installing a gas fireplace will include $600 for firebox installation, $750 for the vent pipe, $2,750 for the complete installation and finishing work, and around $150 to $800 for the gas line, depending on how far it’s required to run.

Does a gas fireplace insert need to be vented?

Do Gas Fireplaces Need Venting? Not all gas fireplaces need venting. Both natural vent and direct vent gas fireplaces need venting, which exhaust air up a chimney and through the wall to the outside respectively. Ventless gas fireplaces don’t need venting.

How hard is it to replace a gas fireplace insert?

Replacing your gas fireplace insert can be an easy home project; if you have the right tools, this job can be done in a short time. However, since this project involves working around gas lines, you will need to make sure you take a safe approach.

How much does a fireplace insert cost to install?

Most fireplace inserts and a professional installation cost about $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the state of your existing chimney and the model you select. Some electric models cost significantly less, but they offer less heat output than wood and gas fireplace inserts.

How long does it take to install a gas fireplace insert?

Installing a fireplace can be completed as quickly as one day or as long a one week. Our technicians do their best to complete jobs as soon as possible, without sacrificing the safety or quality of the workmanship.

How much does it cost to build a fireplace in an existing home?

How Much Does It Cost to Put in a Fireplace? According to HomeGuide, on average, a new metal prefabricated gas or wood-burning fireplace costs $2,900 installed, while an electric fireplace costs about $1,200. A masonry fireplace costs an average of $4,900 installed in an existing home with a 12-foot chimney.

Does a fireplace add value to a home?

The National centre for real estate research released a recent study that showed on average, adding a fireplace to your home boosts values by 12%! Further to that, nearly 70% of real estate agents surveyed stated that they notice home values increase whenever a fireplace is present in a home.

How much does a natural gas fireplace cost?

The average price of natural gas in the US in 2020 was around $11 per thousand cubic feet 1, equating to about $1.06 per therm. That means that a 38,000 BTU gas fireplace costs approximately $0.40 an hour to run.

Can you run a gas fireplace with the flue closed?

Since there is little or no exhaust, they can be burned with the damper closed. The beauty of this type of system is that 99.9% of the heat produced by the gas logs goes into the room, so they produce substantially more heat than their vented counter-parts.

What is difference between gas fireplace and gas insert?

A gas insert is installed within an existing masonry, wood burning fireplace. A gas insert is smaller than a gas fireplace to allow it to fit inside of the opening of an existing wood burning fireplace. A gas insert can get much hotter on the outside (no, not that hot) than a gas fireplace.

Is my gas fireplace vented or ventless?

Follow the gas line from beneath the logs to where it disappears in the wall or floor. If the gas is merely contained by a simple gas line, then the logs are vent free. If there is a small cylinder attached to the gas line, then the logs are vent-free.

Do you need special drywall around a gas fireplace?

In short, the only instance where you can drywall around a gas fireplace is if the unit is a zero clearance, factory-built fireplace. These appliances are specifically designed to be installed almost directly against combustible materials.

Can I put wood around my gas fireplace?

Wood trim enhances the beauty of gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces have the versatility of being purely decorative or adding charm to the room as well as providing a heat source. At either setting, the heat is not intense enough to pose a fire danger, so you can safely install wood trim around a gas-powered fireplace.

Can you put a gas fireplace on an interior wall?

As long as you have a natural gas connection or propane availability, you can install a gas fireplace almost anywhere in your home—under a window, in either an outside or inside wall, at wainscot or floor level, in a corner or even in the center of a room.

What do you put around a gas fireplace?

For maximum security, consider using a noncombustible material in your fireplace surround before adding shiplap. Many people will use tile, marble, stone, brick, or steel as surround materials directly around the fireplace opening for their gas or wood-burning fireplaces.

What is the frame around a fireplace called?

The fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a fire grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and can include elaborate designs extending to the ceiling.

Can I replace my fireplace insert?

Like all technologies, fireplace inserts do improve over time. If your insert is more than 20 years old, you stand to benefit from upgrading your outdated insert.

Can you change the inside of your gas fireplace?

Replace Your Gas Logs The biggest update you can give to your appliance is a change in your hearth. You can improve the appearance of your fireplace by switching the current logs for a new set that provides a more appealing look.

Can you change out a gas fireplace?

It can be done, but it’s worth looking at all options before committing to repair. Repairing your gas fireplace may be the better option if: The existing fireplace still fits your home aesthetically.

How much does it cost to put a gas insert in a wood-burning fireplace?

If you have an existing wood-burning fireplace, a gas fireplace insert can transform it into a gas-powered centerpiece of your home. Gas fireplace insert costs range from $500 to $3,500 if the existing duct and chimney system are in good condition.

How long do fireplace inserts last?

However, when properly maintained, a fireplace insert can last 20-30 years or more, making them a great investment in the future of your home.