How to Measure a Fireplace for a Wood Insert

Fireplace insert

If you have a fireplace in your home, then you are a prime candidate for a wood-burning insert. It is usually a much more efficient source of heat than an open fireplace. However, there are a few things to check before you go out and buy the wood-burning insert. The first thing to check is the measurements.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Paper
• Stick

Instructions

1. Take everything out of the fireplace, including any wood racks or fire bricks. You will need to measure from the actual stone of the mortared fireplace and not from any temporary additions.

2. Measure from the center of the deepest part of the back of the fireplace to the front edge. You can do this by holding a stick flat against both sides of the fireplace, parallel with the floor. Now hold the measuring tape against the back of the fireplace and see where it touches the stick. This is the depth of your fireplace.

3. Find the height simply by measuring the distance from the top of the actual opening of the fireplace straight down to the floor. If your fireplace is arched, you will need to measure from the shortest point down.

4. Take the measurement from side to side of the fireplace for the width. Again, if the opening is not square, take the shortest measurement as the width.

5. Include the measurement of your hearth when you gather all these figures. The representative will need to know how much space you have coming out into your room to determine if your fireplace is ready for a wood-burning insert.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish