Expert: Steve Tavares - 11/15/2009

Question
I WANT TO PUT A WOOD BURNING INSERT INTO A PREFAB ZC FIREPLACE.  SHOULD I MEASURE FROM THE FLOOR OR FROM THE BLACK TRIM THAT SURROUNDS THE UNIT THAT HOUSES THE GLASS DOORS.  WILL THAT TRIM BE REMOVED TO PLACE THE INSERT IN AND REPLACED WITH NEW TRIM.  HOPEFULLY I MEASURE FROM THE FLOOR BECAUSE I NEED THE HEIGHT.  MEASURING FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIMS OPENING SHORTENS MY HEIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TOP PART WITH THE LOUVERS AND THE DAMPER KNOB IS PART OF THE UNIT AND IT STAYS BUT IS COVERED WITH THE INSERT.  THE PREFAB FIREPLACE IN PLACE NOW IS A MAJESTIC PLACED IN 1984.
THANK YOU

Answer
What you need to measure is the opening of the unit. The opening needs to be bigger than the size of the insert in order for the unit to slide into the Zero Clearance fireplace. Usually you'll have to have a custom trim made to cover everything up and make it look nice as well.

Hope this helps.