Safe Luxury

Is it possible to SAFELY put a vent free firebox into a wall and put an antique mantle around it?

I'm wanting to put a fireplace in my living room and someone offered to give me the gas log fire box. I can cut a hole in my sheetrock wall and it will go into an unused kitchen cabinet in the room on the other side of wall. Would it be safe to slide the logs and firebox into the wall? What precautions need to be taken or should I not try it at all - dangerous?

Public Comments

1. You will need to line the back and sides of the fireplace with flame retardant insulation rated to at least 2000 degrees F or better. if the fireplace does not have a fan/blower it would be good to install one above the unit to radiate excessive heat from near the Mantle and also to insulate the inside of the mantle with fire retardant insulation. Your best plan would be to take this info, the manual and manfacturer specifications on the stove and a detailed description and photo of the mantle to both your city fire code inspector and your home insurance agent.
2. Such devices come with specified 'insulation/clearance required` information for the installers. Contact the manufacturer for the sheets for that particular unit. It is very dangerous to violate the specified installation requirements.
3. It should tell you on the outside of the firebox if it is a zero clearance unit. If you are not sure, then don't use it. You could burn down your home. If it is a zero clearance unit, then just allow several inches of air space on the sides, back and top.