Question on Steel plate for wood burning insert. Oversized opening causing eye sore....

[uforia]

Hi guys,

Going on my 3rd year with the Lopi (Travis industries) large flush wood insert. I love it and does a good job heating my 99 year old brick English Tudor for the most part... While I still use the steam boiler it's not nearly as much while running the fireplace.....

Here lies my issue.... As mentioned, the original fireplace had a massive opening (see attached pictures of before insert and after insert) so now with the insert in place the steel plate is super large and kind (at least I think it does) of takes the focus away from the beauty of the wood burning insert and arched design ETC......

This is a long shot but is there anything I can do to alleviate this? I Was thinking is there some kind of stone veneer I can put on it that could stand up to the heat as the plate as you can imagine gets super hot after this baby has been running for a few hours....

I am open to any and all suggestions. While it is not the end of the world if ti stays this way just was thinking maybe there is a solution...

Thanks in advance guys....

Chris

 

[bholler]

Hi guys,

Going on my 3rd year with the Lopi (Travis industries) large flush wood insert. I love it and does a good job heating my 99 year old brick English Tudor for the most part... While I still use the steam boiler it's not nearly as much while running the fireplace.....

Here lies my issue.... As mentioned, the original fireplace had a massive opening (see attached pictures of before insert and after insert) so now with the insert in place the steel plate is super large and kind (at least I think it does) of takes the focus away from the beauty of the wood burning insert and arched design ETC......

This is a long shot but is there anything I can do to alleviate this? I Was thinking is there some kind of stone veneer I can put on it that could stand up to the heat as the plate as you can imagine gets super hot after this baby has been running for a few hours....

I am open to any and all suggestions. While it is not the end of the world if ti stays this way just was thinking maybe there is a solution...

Thanks in advance guys....

Chris

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Cut it to match the opening and slide the insert back a half inch or so

 

[moor]

I put a new lintel above my insert and mortared in new stone to fill the gap above the fireplace. With the reduction I was able to fit a decorative plate that looks more like an extension of the stove and less of a hole cover. I was able to source the same stone locally. It does create a type of pocket at the top of the fireplace that I believe holds some heat but the passive heat vents on my fireplace seem to work quite well. Im hoping with age it will blend a little better but most people cant tell even when i point it out.

 

[uforia]

Cut it to match the opening and slide the insert back a half inch or so

sorry, not sure I understand..... It is currently cut right to the size of the opening.... There is currently half an inch overhang above the top of opening......

 

[bholler]

sorry, not sure I understand..... It is currently cut right to the size of the opening.... There is currently half an inch overhang above the top of opening......

Cut it so it fits in the opening then slide it back into the opening a little

 

[uforia]

Cut it so it fits in the opening then slide it back into the opening a little

so if i understand correctly this would only reduce the size of the plate 1/2 an inch or so? Basically whatever the overlap currently is? IS that correct?

 

[stoveliker]

What he is saying is that doing that would result in a half inch less tall plate...

 

[bholler]

so if i understand correctly this would only reduce the size of the plate 1/2 an inch or so? Basically whatever the overlap currently is? IS that correct?

Yes but by setting it back into the fireplace it really changes the look of the setup

 

[stovelark]

He's talking about an inside fit, would follow the opening of the fireplace, with no overhang on top or sides (altho it sounds like there is little now), it would change the overall look. Personally, I like the way it looks, a very robust looking insert..

 

[retlaw]

I agree, setting it back would look better.
How about painting the plate a dark gray for contrast?