New fireplace installation, planned for your West Colonial home

The damper stays open while the fire burns

A factory-built wood fireplace has a damper handle at the top of the firebox. The E-series manual states that the flue damper must be open at all times when the fireplace is in use, and a damper closed too early is a common reason a room fills with smoke.

We show you where the handle is, how it feels open and closed, and when it is safe to close it after the fire is completely out. It sounds obvious, but a new fireplace owner has never used this particular handle before.

Mantels and trim on a masonry fireplace

An exception in section R1001.11 lets exposed combustible mantels or trim sit directly on the masonry fireplace front around the opening, provided the combustible material is not placed within 6 inches of the fireplace opening.

Mantel choice and position therefore belong in the design stage, long before the finishing week. We mark the 6 inch line on the drawings and on the masonry itself, so the mantel and any wood trim are sized to it, and we tell the finish carpenter before the first piece is cut.

How a fireplace installation estimate should read

A clear fireplace estimate separates the fireplace unit, the chimney system and its roof parts, the framing or chase, the hearth extension, the face finish, removal of any old unit, the outside air supply, permit fees and any electrical work by an electrician.

Every line carries upfront pricing with no hidden fees, so you can compare our proposal fairly and see exactly where the money goes. Book within 72 hours after the inspection and 10% off is applied right on the estimate.

• Fireplace model and accessories from its manual
• Chimney sections, firestops, shield and cap
• Framing, chase and roof opening
• Hearth extension and face finish
• Removal of the old unit
• Permit and inspection coordination

Sequencing the fireplace with other trades

A new fireplace touches framing, roofing, electrical work, drywall, tile or stone and paint. The fireplace steps have to fall in the right order, so air spaces, firestops and inspections are not buried by the next trade before anyone has looked at them.

We set that order at the planning stage and share the manual's clearance and finish rules with the other trades on the job. When everyone works from the same manual, the finished wall meets the listing without anything being torn back out.