How to Set Up a Fireplace Insert

A fireplace warms up the home as well as helps to make a room look great. An older outdated looking fireplace can look practically brand new if a new insert is installed.  It is important to learn the proper process for installing an insert to ensure the fireplaces looks perfect and the insert is installed safely.

The total time to install a fireplace insert should be around two to three hours. No experience is necessary.  

1. Place a ladder up against the house in the side. This is gain access to the chimney to open the damper clamp and put a flue liner down inside the chimney. Before putting the flue liner in, carefully take off the chimney cap.


2. Return to the home and go to the fireplace to attach the flue liner to the flue collar. Do this by using screws and a screw gun.


3. Go back outside to the chimney. Once there, trim away the extra liner material with tin snips. Then carefully replace the chimney cap.


4. Lay down either a piece of cardboard or a blanket on the fireplace hearth. Place the insert down on cardboard or blanket whichever one was used. Carefully line up the insert with the firebox. Push the insert back into the box until it hits the back of the firebox.


5. Shine a flashlight into the firebox and find the mounting holes. Use a drill bit slightly smaller than the holes. To find the correct one put different bits into the hole until one of them fits well. Carefully drill pilot holes. The holes need to equal the depth of the mounting screws into the firebox.


6. Place a screw in one of the pilot holes and drill the screw in. Do not tighten completely. Do the same thing for all of the screws because the insert may need to be shifted either way to get it to mount just right. Then after all of screws are set correctly, use a screw gun to tighten them the rest of the way. Do not strip the threading on the screws.


7. Caulk in between the firebox and insert to make it more energy efficient as well as seal it. Do so by using a caulking gun and chimney caulk. Liberally use the caulking so that there are no gaps or cracks. Let the caulk dry for 24 hours before using the insert to be safe.