Wood fireplace inserts fitted and lined in Melrose Manors
Insert, liner, faceplate and floor protection are written as separate items, so you can see what the job includes.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Reasons to consider a wood insert for your fireplace
- Little warmth from an open fire
- Smoke puffing from an existing insert
- An old insert without its manual
- A hearth too short for an insert
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Wood insert installation decisions, one at a time
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.
Connecting the liner to the insert collar
At the bottom, the liner joins the insert through an adapter or appliance connector. Manuals show how it attaches, typically with screws and, for some systems, a high-temperature sealant. The joint has to be secure and aligned, since the insert slides back against it.
We make that connection with the parts the liner system provides and check it before the insert is pushed home. Moving the unit afterward is done carefully so the joint is not disturbed. The connection method is noted in your written record.
The hearth extension stays noncombustible
In front of an insert, the hearth extension must be made of noncombustible material, as insert manuals state. Wood trim, laminate or carpet laid over part of it breaks that protection. Embers and heat reach farther from a loading door than many people expect.
We check the whole hearth area, including any trim along its edges. If a wood edge or floor covering sits where the manual requires noncombustible material, we explain what needs to change. Rugs belong beyond the protected zone once the insert is in use.
Manufactured logs and fire starters
According to EPA guidance, plenty of wax and sawdust logs are intended only for open hearth fireplaces. It tells owners to read the insert's instructions before burning artificial logs. Insert manuals often limit fuel to natural wood. The label and manual settle the question for your model.
We explain what your manual says about fire starters and manufactured logs. Natural fire starters and dry kindling are the usual approach. Liquid accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid do not belong in any wood insert, whatever the label says about other fuels.
Confirmed before a wood insert is ordered
- Host fireplace condition check
- Top plate and liner cap
- Damper removed or secured open
- Air control and blower walkthrough
Fireplace insert questions we hear in Melrose Manors
What happens to the damper when the insert goes in?
If the damper control will be out of reach, manuals require the damper to be removed or fixed open so the liner can pass. We explain which applies to your fireplace, and the change is noted in your written record.
Is a wood insert allowed in a factory-built fireplace?
Only when both the fireplace's listing and the insert's manual allow the pairing, and many do not. We read both labels during the inspection and explain what they say before you consider any model.
What if my mantel is close to the fireplace opening?
The insert's label gives a minimum height for a combustible mantel. We measure yours against it before you choose a model. If it is too low, we explain the options, which may include a different insert.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- Chimney RebuildRebuild the affected chimney section with the retained structure, roof connection and passage included in the plan.
- Chimney WaterproofingTreat suitable chimney masonry after checking the surface, repair needs and product requirements.
- Stone Chimney RepairRepair affected stone chimney surfaces with the supporting construction and visual match considered together.
- Hurricane and Storm Damage Chimney RepairAssess storm-related chimney concerns and distinguish temporary protection from permanent component repair.
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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