• Join Now
• |
• Sign In

How to Install a Gas Fireplace (page 3 of 4)

Images from this article

javascript:void(0);

How to Install a Gas Fireplace-Planning and Preparation

Get the Gas, Electrical and Vent in Place First
With the preliminaries out of the way, here’s how you proceed. First order the fireplace and vent parts. When you know the delivery date, schedule the plumber and electrician to show up a few days later. This will give you time to accurately lay out the fireplace location on the floor, build the platform and run the vent. After the gas line and wiring are done and all inspections are completed, you’ll build the frame, cover it with drywall, and complete the taping and decorating.

Punching Through the Wall Is the Tough Part
If you don’t run into obstructions when you cut the 12-in. hole, you won’t have to remove any more drywall. Just frame around the opening with short pieces of lumber slid through the hole and held in place with screws through the drywall.

If your house has vinyl siding, cut it with a utility knife. If it has aluminum or steel siding, use a tin snips or metal-cutting blade. Cover the ends of the siding with vinyl or metal J-bead (available at siding dealers) and install the drip cap before you slide the vent cap into the hole.

If your exterior is stucco, follow the same procedure, except drill the four holes from the inside with a masonry bit. Then use a masonry blade ($3 at a hardware store) in your circular saw to cut the stucco and a regular blade to cut the wood sheathing underneath.

If you have a brick exterior, cut it with a masonry blade or brick chisel. Cut only the 12 x 12-in. hole and use plastic anchors and screws to mount the vent cap directly over the brick. Seal around it with urethane caulk. Ask your fireplace dealer whether you need a special cap and firestop for brick walls.

Follow Fig. A to Simplify the Framing
When the venting is complete, double-check to make sure the fireplace unit is in the right place and construct the surround. Maintain the required clearance (check the instructions) between the fireplace and wood framing. We left 1/2-in. spaces on the sides and 3-1/2 in. on the top. Our vent required at least a 1-in. distance from combustible materials. If your fireplace is a different size from ours, you’ll have to adjust the wood framing dimensions.

Cut out a section of drywall and screw wood blocking between the studs if there are no studs to connect the new framing to.

Patience Is the Key for This Drywall Job—Be Fussy
If you don’t own a drywall screw gun, rent one for this job (about $25 per day). A 4-ft. drywall T-square, available at home centers and hardware stores for about $15, will speed up the cutting process. Before starting on the corner bead, use a Surform rasp tool to cut back protruding drywall edges.

With this rather complex design, covering all the outside corners with metal corner bead is an intricate job. Expect to spend the better part of a day finishing it. Pay close attention to details like keeping horizontal lines level and straight, vertical lines perfectly plumb and spacing between parallel metal beads even. Where several beads converge in a corner, the goal is to end up with one sharp point. Do this by snipping sharp pointed arrows on the ends of the beads, cutting them to the exact length and accurately lining up the points.

• • Heating & Cooling
• • Bedrooms
• Home Repair

• Step-by-Step Instructions and Pictures of How to Install a Gas Fireplace
• Installing a direct-vent gas fireplace. Read an overview on how to install a gas fireplace.
• 
• When To Clean A Chimney Flue
• How often to remove creosote to prevent chimney fires
• 
• Choosing A Finish For A Stone Hearth
• Apply a clear, penetrating stone sealer to protect raw stone from stains
•