Expert: John LeBaron - 3/3/2008

Question
I have a 1960s looking green cone shaped little fireplace vented straight up through a pipe through the roof on a single story house.  The FP sits on a 1 brick thick pad that sits on a slab floor.  The wall behind the fireplace is lined with brick to the ceiling.  I have a wood burning fireplace insert that I would like to put in.  I have seen chimney's put in using a metal liner and enclosing enough air space to prevent the wooden enclosure surrounding the chimney from combusting.  I would like to install the insert that I have, but am not sure how the chimney and firebox should be constructed.  I know that you are going to try to tell me to let a professional figure it out, but I'm fully capable of constructing this thing and that's what this forum is for right?

Answer
Hi Wes,

Actually, I am going to tell you that I need more information in order to help you.

A wood burning fireplace insert implies that you are going to keep the "cone shaped little fireplace".  Is that true?

I am going to give you my definitions of some of the terms you used to ensure we are speaking the same "language".

Insert:  A unit placed within another, such as a masonry fireplace or zero clearance fireplace.  Usually not for a free standing system.

Metal liner:  This is placed inside of an existing chimney (that already has a liner or not).  Typically, this is considered a retrofit (installed as a result of damage or deterioration to the existing liner).

If you want my help, I will need pictures of the existing system (several depicting the entire system inside the house and outside.  I will also need pictures of the intended unit to install, a make and model would be very helpful as well.

Initially, what you are proposing sounds improper but I may not be understanding you.

Email the pictures to the following email address and I will follow up through AllExperts.

John LeBaron
chimneycheck@yahoo.com