If you’ve decided to buy a new fireplace or heating appliance, going shopping can be an exciting experience. However, to get the most out of your shopping experience and to avoid making unnecessary return trips it is important to take accurate measurements of your existing fireplace.
When replacing an existing fireplace, it is important that the new heating appliance is an exact fit. If not, it may create gaps or cracks that impact fireplace performance or even cause safety issues. In order to prevent this from happening, accurate measurements and dimensions of a number of parts of the fireplace are needed.
The importance of taking accurate fireplace measurements
Nothing can sour a shopping trip faster than not having the correct measurements that are needed for your new fireplace. Many homeowners falsely believe that fireplaces come in standard sizes and come without measurements; others may take one or two cursory measurements without getting all of the necessary dimensions.
Knowing your fireplace measurements before you visit the showroom is an important part of finding a new fireplace. With accurate measurements, our staff can help narrow the field of available fireplaces and heating appliances to those that will fit in your existing space. This can lead to a faster and more pleasant shopping experience; likewise, you avoid the risk of falling in love with a specific fireplace only to find out it won’t fit in your space.
Without the correct dimensions, multiple trips to and from the showroom may be necessary. While this might not be a problem if you live five minutes away, it can be extremely inconvenient for those that live far away from the showroom or those with busy work schedules. By measuring your existing fireplace ahead of time, you can avoid unnecessary trips and streamline and simplify the shopping process.
What fireplace measurements do I need to take?
Before you go shopping for your new fireplace, make sure you have the right measurements. In order to find an appliance that will fit correctly in your existing space, you’ll need to know much more than just the height and width! Below are some of the fireplace measurements that are recommended.
- Firebox front width
- Firebox rear width
- Firebox center height
- Firebox side height
- Firebox depth
- Hearth length
- Hearth width
- Distance to left and right side mantle (or nearest combustible surface)
- Height to mantle
In addition to these measurements, other information about your fireplace may be needed. Questions about age, building materials, arches, or other features can all help provide more information about what kind of replacement fireplace will work best in your space. If you have questions or are afraid you don’t have all the answers, bring a photo of your current fireplace can be helpful!
Shopping for a new fireplace can be a fun and exciting experience. However, before finding the perfect new fireplace for your home it is important to know the measurements of your existing unit. If you have questions about what measurements are needed, contact The Cozy Flame today. Our expert staff can help you determine which measurements are needed before you head to our showroom to find your new fireplace or heating appliance!