Oh, I love it! I'm not sure if the wood surround is original, but those tiles are so fabulous! I hope that someone who is an expert has a better idea of how to fix it. I would be afraid like with stairs or electrical work, when it's fixed by a professional they are obligated to bring it up to current code.

Thanks for the compliment! There are some broken tiles and rust on the cast iron that I'll fix once I have the work done on the fireplace. The cast iron bears climbing trees are really neat.

The surround matches the staircase pretty well, so I think it's original. It's a 1900 Queen Anne, so many of the components were probably ordered from a catalogue. The wood stylings do appear fairly deco for 1900, but I do like deco.

The one helpful

chimney sweep that I talked to said that building inspectors are really the determinant of how much has to be brought up to code and that the controlling code in Michigan can be difficult to navigate. If I have to bring the entire system up to code, not only will it be prohibitively expensive, but it will destroy the built in coal grate which I will not do. So we'll see...

I had our 1890 chimney lined with stainless steel last year here in our 1910 Four square. The gas coal grate is original as is the 1910 surround and Summer cover. There was no mention of bringing anything up to code . In fact the person who does the lining has nothing to do with the gas works part at all. He said I would have to call someone who inspects and services the inserts as they only deal with the ones they install new. So I did call someone to come and clean the coals and the firebox and adjust some things. It works wonderfully now. As far as code all I heard them say was the damper must be permanently open when using a gas insert. Other than that there was no mention of code. I am in VA. I can link a picture in a minute. c

Trailrunner, thanks for sharing your experience. It's heartening to hear that it can be done without massive updates. And I love seeing your stylish holiday fire! I'm going to try to talk to a few more professionals and try to squeeze out some more details on what can be done in my case.

The gas connection comes in on the right side and there is a “ key” we use to turn it on and off. There is a standing pilot so we only light it once a year in the Fall . There is a primary gas shut off valve in the basement beneath each of the 2 fireplaces The slanted piece you see at the bottom is heavy metal has rock wool on it which glows and looks like real hot ashes when the fire is on. The gas entry is underneath and the flames come up through perforated areas in that metal. Our other converted fireplace has an old log set and the gas again is on the right with a standing pilot. There isn’t any fancy original metal with this set up. I’ve tried to buy one on Ebay with the coal basket but they are always the wrong size.

1 piece of bad news today: a representative from a very large chimney franchise basically told me "don't bother." He said it would be extremely difficult to retrofit and he seemed to want to bring all aspects of it up to code (though he didn't really say that this was legally required, but it sounded like their M.O.). He did recommend that I bring in at least 3 chimney sweeps to get a full range of opinions. I have one company that basically defers to the local inspector, so I'll bring them in and try to find 2 others who are open to a more tailored approach and deferent to the fact that building code is complicated when dealing with existing structures.

I’m not a specialist by any means but having lived in an 1890 home in AL for 15 yrs with FOUR retrofitted gas inserts each pair exiting 2 chimneys retrofitted with new stainless steel liners and then moving here to VA and living in a 1910 home with 2 retrofitted gas inserts in two separate lined stainless steel chimneys I can honestly say they aren’t treating you or the project fairly.

Once the SS liner is in place and the gas valve with shutoff is installed there isn’t anything that differentiates this from a 2021 home with gas fireplace . I sure hope you can get a successful outcome. If I can share more pics let me know.

Thanks Trailrunner. I won't give up based on one negative response. Some of these companies are in the midst of their busy season servicing wood stoves and the like, so it might take until spring to get some folks eager to do the work. I'll make sure to update on what I'm eventually able to have done.

Thanks, that's the issue exactly. If they make you navigate the contemporary code, it's heavy lifting. If they abide by the international existing building code, which was designed to encourage renovation of old properties, then you should be able to restore the fireplace using contemporaneous features. I'l have to see what my contractors and building officials insist upon. At

Hello! Beautiful fireplace. I know nothing about fireplaces but suggest you contact Brett Waterman on Twitter @brettwatermantv. He is passionate about restoration. His DIY Channel program is Restored. Although he lives and works in Redlands, CA, he will most likely respond on Twitter and may be able to guide you in right direction.