Expert: Dave Johnson - 1/16/2009

Question
Our home is one year old and has a Heat-n-Glo gas fireplace in the living room set back in a doghouse with a direct vent on the outside wall. (no chimney) There is a cold draft coming in around the bottom of the frame and when I remove the bottom piece it feels cold and drafty in the doghouse built to house the fireplace.  My question is what kind of insulation should I put in there and how close or what kind of variances should I leave so as not to be a fire hazard?

Answer
Hi Jerry,
If you can access the exterior of this doghouse you may be able to get some insulation under the floor.

Inside I'd use fiberglass as it is fire proof (no faced stuff, glass only)
Outside, if you can get to it, I'd use fiberglass tight to the sub-
floor and finish with rigid foam. To go a step further, seal around the foam with spray foam to ensure against drafts.

Best of luck, and if you need, mail me again...
Dave