This guide is intended to give general information about installation of decorative fireplaces. Fireplaces Are Us accepts no responsibility for any issues arising from use of this guide. You should use a qualified engineer to install a working fireplace. Failure to do so may invalidate your warranty and violate building regulations.
You should use a HETAS qualified engineer to install a solid fuel fireplace.
You should use a Gas Safe Register qualified engineer to install a gas fireplace.
Fitting tiles into traditional inserts
Line the tiles up on the floor, making sure the patterns match up correctly
Turn the tiles over so they are face down
Use strips of wide masking tape to stick the rows of tiles together at the back
Place the insert face down on the floor
Run a bead of black heatproof silicon sealant or black fire cement around the outer edges of the tile frames
Place each set of 5 tiles firmly into the appropriate frame and press firmly into the sealant
Run beads of sealant along the tile bars
Position the tile bars so that the bolts line up
Gently tighten up the bolts – take care not to overtighten as this will cause the tiles to crack
Lift the insert up and check the tile pattern is lined up correctly
Put the insert to one side for the sealant to set
Fitting a fireplace hearth
Place the hearth onto a sand and cement bed, making sure that
The sides of the hearth are equal distances from the chimney edges
The hearth is central to the opening of the fire
The rear edge of the hearth is against the plaster line of the chimney
Use a spirit level to make sure the hearth is level from side to side and front to back
Please note that stone can absorb colour from the sand and cement mix – you may need to use washed white sand or place a plastic membrane between the hearth and the concrete, depending what the hearth is made of
Gas fireplaces require a channel behind the hearth for the gas supply pipe
Fitting a concrete fire back and preparing the fireplace opening
Cover the hearth with an old blanket
Place the insert on top of the hearth
Place the surround against the insert to that it lies flat against the chimney
Mark out on the wall the area which needs to be opened up
Open up the required space
Cement the base of the fireplace opening so that it is level with the hearth
Place the concrete back into the fireplace opening, making sure it is lined up to where the insert will sit
Back fill with sand and cement. Loose rubble can also be used to back fill
When you reach the top of the fire back, flaunch to 45 degree angle
Position the lintel, with the flat side facing forward, onto the top front edge of the fire back and fix in place with sand and cement
Brick up above the lintel with sand and cement, making sure you seal all around the front and top of the fire back
If there are any rough areas above the fire back within the chimney space, you should smooth them off to ensure air flows freely up the chimney
Fitting cast iron inserts with wooden surrounds
Place the insert on top of the hearth in front of the fire back
Place the surround against the insert
Use a pencil to mark the position of the surround on the wall
Remove the surround
Measure the thickness of the outer surround leg, then mark it on the wall inside the outline you drew previously
Use screws to attach 2” x 1” battens to the chimney breast, making sure they are within the inner outline
The battens should be the full height of the surround legs
Place the surround against the wall, making sure the battens are positioned within the legs
Use screws to attach the surround to the battens at the top and bottom of the legs
Now use either fire cement or fire rope (1”-2” thick) to seal the cast iron insert onto the fire back
Measure the outside of the cast back and mark this in pencil onto the chimney breast (from the top of the hearth)
Remove bricks from the marked out area until the opening is large enough for the cast back to fit into
Install a lintel above the fire opening
Stand the fireplace on the hearth
Use a pencil to mark the outline of the fireplace onto your wall
Remove plaster from the area you have marked out
Once you have reached bare brick, drill holes at the sides of the fireplace to line up with the screw eyes
Firmly attach the fireplace to the wall using rawl plugs and screws
Back fill behind the cast back (access though the opening at the rear) using either vermiculite or rubble mixed with sand and cement
Flaunch at a 54 degree angle to the back of the chimney space
Plaster around the completed fireplace
Use a damp cloth to remove any cement or plaster deposits from the cast iron
Immediately dry the cast iron or it will rust
Repairing dents in wooden surrounds
If you accidentally dent your wooden surround, don't panic. Most dents can be repaired, so long as the wood hasn't split or splintered. Wood is a porous material. If it gets wet it will soak up the water like a sponge, causing it to expand. This characteristic can be used to invisibly repair dents.
A cup of hot water
Toilet paper or kitchen roll
Wax for finishing
Make sure the damaged area is free of dust or debris
Take a couple of sheets of toilet paper or kitchen roll and screw them up
Dip the paper into the hot water, taking care not to scald yourself
Hold the wet paper against the dented area for 20-30 seconds, depending how deep the dent is
Remove the paper and immediately dry the area
The dented area should have raised
Repeat if necessary
Allow the surround to dry for at least 24 hours
Once the timber is dry, you can wax the repaired area using the instructions in our waxing section
Waxing a wooden surround
Waxing a wooden surround will revive old finishes and give protection at the same time. It protects the materials underneath the wax while adding a sheen to the surface. It is normal to wax a wooden surround every 1-2 years, but you can do so more often if you like. Wax polishes are available in both tinted and clear finishes.
Wire wool (0000 grade)
Lint free duster
Gloves
Hand wax product such as Fiddies Supreme Wax
If the wood has been waxed before, you will need to remove the old wax so that you don't simply create a build up of wax on the surface
Wax can be cleaned off by applying turpentine to the wood with a soft rag, then lightly rubbing down the surface along the grain using 0000 grade wire wool (remember to wear gloves when using the wire wool)
Apply a small amount of wax to the surface of the wooden surround
Use the duster to rub the wax into the wood using light circular motions, going against the grain
Allow the wax to set (following the manufacturer's directions)
Use a soft, clean cloth to buff to a shine, using circular motions
You may need to use a furniture brush on carved areas
Repeat application of wax as necessary
Care of cast iron fireplaces
Cast iron is a beautiful material for fireplaces, but it needs a little TLC when first installed and from time to time to keep it looking its best. A protective coating is applied during manufacture which can give a dull appearance to the metal. Polishing a newly installed cast iron fireplace will bring the surface up to a shine ready to show it off to all your friends. The polished surfaces of your cast iron fireplace will become dull over time, so occasional polishing is necessary to restore the appearance
Cast iron will rust quickly if exposed to moisture. Direct contact with liquids, for example by spilling or by wiping with a damp cloth, will quickly cause formation of rust unless immediately dried. Cast iron can also be affected by moisture in the atmosphere. For this reason it is best not to install a cast iron fireplace in a room which gets damp, or in a freshly plastered room. If surface rust develops then polishing the fireplace will usually completely remove it, as well as protecting the surface.
Gloves
Lint free duster
Vacuum cleaner
Wire wool (0000 grade)
Metal polish (you can also use WD40 or 3 in 1)
Make sure you wear gloves
Apply a small amount of metal polish to some wire wool
Use the wire wool to firmly rub the polish into the metal
Repeat until all the polished areas are covered (you may need to rub hard to remove rust or other marks)
Use a clean piece of wire wool to rub down the surface of the polished area
Continue until you are satisfied with the level of shine.
Apply a small amount of polish to a new piece of wire wool
Work the polish in to build a protective coating