Wood fireplace inserts fitted and lined in Home Beautiful Park
We clean and check the chimney before the liner goes in, and any repairs come first as their own items.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Signs your fireplace is ready for a wood insert
- Cracked glass on an old insert
- A fireplace you want closed up neatly
- Drafts from an open damper
- A hearth too short for an insert
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Installing a wood insert the way its manual intends
Measuring the opening in three directions
Every insert manual lists the minimum opening it needs in height, width and depth. The front measurement alone says little, because many fireboxes narrow toward the back or slope inward near the top. An insert that fits the face can still be too deep for the firebox.
We measure the opening at the front and the back, and the depth at more than one height. Those figures go into the estimate beside the models you are considering. Choosing from real measurements keeps you from ordering a unit that cannot slide into place.
Draft that is too strong or too weak
Draft is the pull that moves smoke from the insert up the chimney. Manuals explain that too much draft can overheat the unit, while too little can let smoke leak into the room at joints and during loading. Chimney height, obstructions and the house itself all play a part.
We look at the chimney height and the surroundings during the inspection and compare them with the manual's recommendations. If the draft is likely to be marginal, we say so and explain what can help. Liner insulation and a proper cap are part of that conversation.
Firebox and hearth repairs before an insert
Cracked firebrick, open mortar joints or a damaged hearth have to be dealt with before an insert goes in. Those repairs belong to our firebox repair and hearth repair services and are priced as their own items. The insert estimate refers to them rather than hiding them.
We explain why each repair is needed for the insert, using the manual's requirement for a sound host. Some repairs are quick, while others take longer and need time before the insert is fitted. The schedule reflects that order.
Choosing the faceplate finish
Faceplates usually come in a few finishes and sizes, and some offer trim pieces that frame the edge. The choice is mostly about looks, provided the faceplate covers the opening fully. The fireplace face around it stays visible.
Bring ideas about the look you want, and we show the options the maker offers for your model. We explain which size covers your opening and how the trim meets the brick or stone. Finish choices do not change the clearances, which the label sets.
What your insert installation scope lists
- Appliance connector and high-temperature sealant
- Mantel and trim clearance check
- Debris cleanup and haul-away
- Written record of the insert installation
Asked before a wood insert goes in
Can any fireplace take a wood insert?
No. Many insert manuals require a masonry fireplace in sound condition, and some forbid factory-built fireplaces outright. The opening also has to meet the model's minimum size. The free inspection answers the question for your fireplace.
Can I use my old fireplace grate inside the insert?
Many insert manuals say not to use a grate or andirons and to build the fire directly on the firebrick floor. We remove any old grate before installation and show you how the manual wants the wood arranged.
What kind of wood should we burn in the insert?
Dry, split, seasoned natural wood, as the manual specifies. Treated or painted wood, garbage, cardboard and colored paper stay out. We explain how to judge dryness at handover, including with a simple moisture meter.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Ventless Gas Fireplace ServiceService the identified vent-free appliance without bypassing its required safety components.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo