You are here:

Architecture/converting wood burning fireplace to gas

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/26/2007


Question
Hi Richare, our vacation home is at the beach, and we have a large, open, wood burning fireplace. While it looks nice, it is not very efficient for heating a large living room. We have been told that we could convert it to gas. My question is - do you have any recommendations for doing this? And would any major changes (i.e. dismantling brick from the hearth, etc.) need to happen? For photos of the fireplace in question, see http://www.valuevacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/1035/

Thanks,
Jim

Answer
Hi Jim - thanks for your question!

What you're asking is easily done with a prefabricated metal fireplace insert, including a metal flue liner.  Some work would have to be done to the smoke chamber, shelf, and damper to make it work.

You can also (even more easily) simply add a gas line and a gas log kit to the existing fireplace opening - no work needed to the masonry construction.

Any local fireplace company or chimneysweep should be able to help you with this.

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com

Architecture

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.