Planning and installing a gas fireplace in Rock Island
A replacement gas fireplace gets the same planning as a new one, including the retained vent and framing.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Gas fireplace projects we are asked about
- Planning a fireplace for a room without one
- A renovation opening up the wall
- Several trades working on one room
- No manual for the existing unit
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Planning a gas fireplace installation step by step
Building a chase for the unit and vent
When a fireplace sits outside the main wall line, it usually goes in a chase, a framed box that encloses the appliance and often the vent. One manual says the chase should be built like the other outside walls of the home, insulated and sealed, and should not break the building envelope.
The same manual asks for the chase to be blocked so blown insulation and other combustibles cannot reach the fireplace or vent. We give the builder the chase requirements for the chosen model, or frame to them ourselves where that is part of the agreed scope.
Clearances to combustibles inside the framing
Inside the wall or chase, the appliance and its vent need specified air spaces to framing and other combustibles. The manual gives the figures for each model and warns that insulation and other materials must be secured so they cannot drift into those spaces.
We frame, or check the framing, against those clearances before insulation goes in. Spacers, standoffs and shields supplied with the appliance are fitted as shown. Once the wall is closed, those spaces cannot be seen, which is why they are checked and noted on your written record beforehand.
Working through the manual's installation checklist
Many gas fireplace manuals include an installation checklist covering items such as clearances, chase construction, firestops, attic shields, vent configuration, restrictor setting, electrical supply, gas pressure and finishing. Each line refers back to a page in the manual.
We complete that checklist as the job progresses, not just at the end, because some items disappear behind finishes. The completed checklist becomes part of your written record. It shows the next person servicing the unit how it was installed and what was checked at each stage.
Fronts and trim from the maker's list
Decorative fronts, surrounds and trim kits are offered for specific models, and manuals allow only the kits the manufacturer supplies. Some fronts also carry the air openings the unit needs, so their design is not only cosmetic.
We order the front or trim from the list for your model and fit it as shown. If you prefer a look the maker does not offer, we explain the limits before the finish is designed. A front that seals openings or does not match the listing is not fitted.
What we plan and install on a gas project
- Vent route checked against the vent tables
- Termination position against listed clearances
- Flashing and storm collar on roof terminations
- Pressure readings and operating check
Questions from Rock Island about new gas fireplaces
Do I need an electrician for a gas fireplace installation?
Often, because many models need household power for ignition, a blower or lighting. The manual states the requirement. If a new circuit is needed, an electrician installs it, and we coordinate the timing with the appliance work.
What stays with me after the installation is finished?
The installation and owner's manuals, a walkthrough of normal operation and a written record of the work listing the model, vent parts and checks. Keep them together near the fireplace or with your house papers.
Can a gas fireplace share a vent with another appliance?
The manuals we work from call for a separate vent and prohibit venting into a pipe that serves a solid-fuel appliance. We plan a dedicated vent for the new unit as its manual specifies.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- 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.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo