Is the faceplate optional?

[Jimzander1]

Hi Folks,

Just bought a house that has a 1950s fireplace and it only heats the air above my roof...
I want to purchase an insert and there are many that will fit into the fireplace but I am having a very difficult time finding one with a faceplate that will fit inside the mantle trim. Is the faceplate optional? If an insert fits fairly tightly in the fireplace opening, is it possible that I wouldn't need a faceplate?

 

[Jimzander1]

Heres what it looks like now.

 

[Grisu]

Welcome to the forum!

Yes, the faceplate is optional although most inserts are not that great to look at from the sides. You could maybe have a custom one made for you from a metalworks/welding shop. However, an insert will have minimum clearances to combustibles including wood trim. Are you sure the ones you are looking at have enough clearance? In addition, is this a masonry fireplace? What kind of chimney do you have: masonry with clay liner or a metal pipe?

 

[fossil]

Your problem isn't with the size of the surround (what you're calling a faceplate) for the insert...it's the clearance from the face of the insert to all that wood (combustible material). You can install an insert without the surround, but you can't get past the minimum required clearances from combustibles. If you can find an insert that will meet your requirements clearance-wise, you can always have a custom surround made for it. Welcome to the forums! Rick

 

[Jimzander1]

Ok - thanks guys. I'll focus on meeting the clearance requirements first.

 

[Grisu]

When you take the door off, how high is the fireplace opening from the hearth? Maybe you will have better luck putting a rear-vented stove in front of the fireplace. Your hearth looks like it would be deep enough.