Fireplace Makeover

6 years ago

Our recently purchased 1960's home has a large fireplace that divides our family room and kitchen (upper level). I would love to update it and brighten up our room by wrapping all sides with shiplap. On the family room side a rustic/modern mantle. The kitchen side will need to bump out deeper along the bottom 2/3rds since there is a built in charcoal grille (🤦‍♀️) which we'll remove and use the space for a cubby/ cabinet. Any suggestions/tips for this project? We have a gas fireplace insert we'd like to replace.

Please share! Pictures welcome! I've included my house (1-2) and inspiration (3-5).

Featured Answer

PRO

Hansen Wholesale

6 years ago

What you currently have inside your fireplace is a "Gas Log Set" not an "Insert", there's a big difference. If you want the fireplace for heat, you may want to consider an actual insert. If you want it for looks and some heat, I'd stick with an updated gas log or burning glass or fireballs.

Most inserts and gas fires retrofitted to a wood burning fireplace require clearances to combustibles, so you would need to refer to the installation manual of a gas insert to determine how close you can run the shiplap to the opening. Odds are, you are going to need some non-combustible facing around the opening. With shiplap, I often see black slate.

If you stick with a more realistic gas log or other gas burning option like I've shown below, you will need at least 8" of non-combustible facing on the sides and 12" at the top.

Below is how that might look:

Shown above: I included a Craftsman Fireplace Door with a Burning Twig Sculpture and Glass Crystals.

You would likely want to take the hearth to the floor, but that really complicated things for me when doing this mockup, so I left the hearth raised.

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Comments (9)

K Schu
6 years ago
I think that’s a great idea! My last house, which was built in 1956, had something similar to what you have. We sheetrocked over the brick (shiplap wasn’t a thing then, otherwise I would’ve totally done that), put a gas fireplace insert in & never looked back.

I think you’re on the right track!
Michele Warfel thanked K Schu
K Schu
6 years ago
This is a horrible picture, but the entire wall here is floor to ceiling red brick-to ceiling. There is no mantle or anything-just a fire box where we put a gas insert in. We sheet rocked over the brick, put the insert in, built the mantle and no one ever knew.
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K Schu
6 years ago
OMG - I got a text just as I was taking a screenshot of the photo and didn’t notice! Here is the picture without my text message:
Michele Warfel
Original Author
6 years ago
Wow! You'd never know!! Did you DIY or hire a contractor? We're inclined to DIY but wasn't sure if there was anything to be aware of with the shiplap and temperature of the insert. Thanks for sharing.
K Schu
6 years ago
This was done as part of a kitchen remodel so our contractor did it. The insert was installed by the company we bought it from, so that might be a good first place at start if you’re going to attempt DIY of the shiplap. My guess is that will be easier to DIY shiplap than Sheetrock.
houssaon
6 years ago
Karen - you can delete the comment with the text message, if you want.
felizlady
6 years ago
Decide if you want the fireplace for heat or looks. Consult a few fireplace contractors.
If you want to have flames, you will need to abide by local requirements. You may need to have a building permit issued and inspections by the local authority. Failure to abide by local rules may invalidate your fire insurance policy. It’s not a DIY if fuel and flames are involved.
RedRyder
6 years ago
I would be concerned about fire codes with ship lap in the kitchen. Your oven is installed in that brick wall, so would you consider ship lap on one side and leaving the brick on the other? In the kitchen you could use fire retardant paint if you hate the color. Nice kitchen!