How to Install a Fireback in a Wood Fireplace

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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A fireback is made of cast iron or stainless steel and is used to reflect the heat from a fire back into your home. It is also a decorative piece and most importantly, helps maintain the integrity of your fireplace. Although stainless steel isn't advisable in a gas fireplace, you can use either cast iron or stainless steel for a wood burning fireplace and installation is simple.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1

Remove everything from the fireplace. Sweep out any ash and clean the sides if necessary.

Step2

Move the fireback into position at the rear of the fireplace. If your fireback is cast iron, you will require some help for this task, as they are very heavy; even the lightest weigh in excess of 50 lbs.

Step3

Prop the fireback against the back wall of the fireplace. It should lean very slightly so it will stay in place. If it looks short in comparison with the fireplace and heart, you can set a line of bricks on the floor of the pit and balance the fireback on the bricks.

Step4

Install Saf-T-Boots if you prefer. These "boots" will hold the fireback in place at almost any angle you desire. They're made of cast iron and are certainly sturdy enough to hold up even the heaviest of firebacks.

Tips & Warnings

Be very careful when moving a cast iron fireback. Large firebacks can weight 300 lbs., so you may need to enlist not one, but several friends to help you move it. Use back braces if you feel the need.