Expert: James Ball - 9/14/2010

Question
Hi, I want to make my fireplace look better than it
currently does. It is a wood burning fireplace, not masonry,
I believe its called prefab as it is metal when I look
inside it and up the chimney.

The fireplace doors/surround are in an outdated goldish
colored metal, and my mantel is a horrible DIY wood shelf.
The rest of the facade is brick which I hate. The hearth is
also brick.

I want to cover all brick; by framing up to the ceiling and
then have it drywalled so it is flat and I can paint it. I
want to get rid of the goldish fire doors and replace them
with a new stainless steel surround. I am looking for a very
modern european look.

I am having trouble searching for a new surround/doors that
will be suitable. I have searched for 'fire surrounds' 'fire
doors' etc and nothing seems to be made just to update the
look of my fireplace. I am finding lots of gas units with
the right look that I want, but nothing for my fireplace
that burns real wood.

Am I asking for something that doesnt exist? Where would I
find what I am looking for? What is the name of what I am
looking for?

I wish there was some way I could send photos to you of my
fireplace and photos of what it is that I want it to look
like. I have been in touch with a local fireplace contractor
but he doesnt seem to really know what to do.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.  

Answer
Hello Kelly, lets start with changing the wall, contact you local building department for what is required in your area (you will also need the "pre fab" owners manual for clearance to combustibles)
now the glass doors, that unit was tested with their glass doors, if you changed to another set it might not be safe.
There are after market glass door companies but with out the make and model # I would not recommend it, you  might look into having a machine shop change the gold trim to SS, but it might be quite expensive.
James