The Biggest Fireplace Remodeling Mistake: Designing the Wall Before Choosing the Fireplace
A beautiful fireplace remodel often starts with a photo: a long flame beneath a TV, tile from the floor to the ceiling, and cabinets that fit just right. That photo is a fine place to start dreaming. It is a poor set of construction drawings.
The biggest mistake I see homeowners make is designing or building the wall before choosing the actual fireplace. Sometimes the old fireplace has already been removed, the TV position is set and the tile has been ordered before anyone asks whether a new fireplace and its venting can work in that space.
The better order: Choose a fireplace model, verify that it can be installed in your home, then design the wall and finishes around its requirements. This applies to gas and electric fireplaces, although the constraints are different.
Watch the companion video: Rich walks through a real remodel that had to be reconsidered after the old venting was damaged and approved replacement parts could not be obtained.
Why a fireplace must be chosen before the wall is built
A fireplace is a system. The appliance, its installation instructions, venting (if applicable), framing, gas or electric supply, heat management, finish materials and future service access all influence the design. Two linear fireplaces that look nearly identical in a showroom can require different wall depths, openings, vent paths and space above the glass.
Here is a homeowner-friendly sequence to use before approving construction:
| Step | Decision to make | Why it comes now |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose the appliance | Select the exact gas or electric fireplace model. | Its manual supplies the requirements for the rest of the plan. |
| 2. Check the house | Measure the wall and evaluate the vent route, structure and available utilities. | A design that fits on paper may conflict with a stud, roof route or gas supply. |
| 3. Draw the system | Plan approved vent components, framing, clearances, electrical, gas and heat management. | These details establish the wall depth, opening and safe TV or mantel location. |
| 4. Plan future access | Check how the glass, controls and serviceable parts can be reached. | Beautiful finishes should not trap the appliance in the wall. |
| 5. Finalize the appearance and scope | Choose tile, cabinetry and finishes; price the complete construction work. | The budget now reflects the installation, not just the fireplace price. |
“The pipe fits” is not the same as “the venting is approved”
This is especially important with gas fireplaces. A direct vent fireplace uses a manufacturer-specified vent system to bring combustion air to the appliance and carry exhaust outdoors. The fireplace manual identifies which components and layouts are allowed. Pipe diameter, vertical rise, horizontal distance, elbows, supports and the outdoor termination can all affect whether a location works.
In the video, I describe a remodel where another contractor removed an older fireplace and damaged some of its original venting. The proposed fix was to shift the vent with elbows after moving the fireplace. The trouble: the approved replacement vent parts were no longer available. Construction had already progressed around a plan that could not simply be completed with an improvised fitting.
Even when parts are available, an approved set of elbows might produce a 12-inch offset when the new fireplace location needs 18 inches. That remaining six inches is not an invitation to fabricate an adapter. The location or fireplace selection may need to change. If a component physically fits, that alone does not establish that the manufacturer approves the installation.
The same caution applies to an existing vent running through the house. Homeowners often ask whether a smaller new vent can be run inside an old vent. Some manufacturers provide specific approved conversion methods for particular appliances and existing conditions. An existing vent is not automatically a suitable sleeve. The installer must verify the exact model and its written instructions before planning to reuse a vent path.
A quick word about clearances
A clearance is the minimum separation an appliance or vent must maintain from materials identified in its installation instructions, including combustible construction where specified. Those distances vary by model and component. A seemingly small shortfall can require a framing change; it is not something to waive because the wall is nearly finished. Always use the exact appliance and vent instructions and have the installation reviewed by a qualified fireplace professional.
“The fireplace you choose determines far more than the size of the opening. Check before you commit to a new wall design, tile or cabinetry.”
Gas or electric: Which creates the remodel you actually want?
Neither fuel type wins every project. The right choice depends on the look and heat you want, the construction your house will allow and the scope you are prepared to take on.
| Planning question | Gas fireplace | Electric fireplace |
|---|---|---|
| Flame and heat | Real flame; heat output varies by model. | Simulated flame effects; heater output and features vary by model. |
| Combustion vent | A venting strategy may be a major part of the project, depending on appliance type. | No combustion vent. |
| Wall location | Vent route and termination can limit placement. | More placement flexibility, subject to power, framing and manufacturer requirements. |
| Work behind the finish | May involve gas piping, approved venting, electrical work, framing and sometimes roof or exterior work. | May involve a new circuit, framing, heat management and appropriate service access. |
| TV and finishes | Follow the selected model’s heat management and mantel/TV guidance. | Follow the selected model’s heat discharge, clearance and finish guidance. |
I love a real gas flame, and we install and service gas fireplaces. I also see homeowners choose electric after learning what it would take to route a new gas vent through their particular house. Others decide the gas installation is worth it. The useful decision is the one made before demolition, with the actual project scope in hand.
The part most remodel photos never show: future service
Fireplace components may eventually need inspection, maintenance or repair. Before finishing a wall, ask how a technician will remove the glass, reach the controls or heater, access required connections, and remove the appliance if the manufacturer’s service procedure calls for it. Access requirements vary by model.
A service plan is also a responsibility plan. If different companies sell the unit, build the wall, run gas and electrical lines, install the vent and apply the tile, clarify who coordinates the work and whom you will call if something does not operate correctly later. One company handling the whole project can simplify those handoffs.
At The Fire Place by Magic Touch, our team can help with selection, design, demolition, framing, gas and electrical work, venting, installation, finishes and later fireplace service as the project requires. We look at the complete wall as a working system, not just a space to fill with a fireplace.
Planning a fireplace remodel in the Phoenix area? Start here
Before ordering cabinetry or scheduling demolition, bring your inspiration photos and photos of your existing fireplace and wall to a fireplace specialist. For a useful first conversation, gather:
- Photos showing the full wall, existing fireplace, ceiling and nearby windows or cabinets.
- The make and model of your current fireplace, if you can find its label or paperwork.
- Approximate wall dimensions and where you hope to put the TV or mantel.
- The look and heating performance you want, plus your preferred budget range.
- Any remodeling plans or drawings already prepared.
Our Mesa fireplace showroom lets homeowners compare operating gas and electric models, sizes and finish options. From there, we can evaluate what works in your home and discuss the full project before construction begins. We help homeowners throughout the Phoenix area, including Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale and nearby communities.
Planning a fireplace remodel? Explore The Fire Place by Magic Touch and schedule a private showroom visit or project consultation. Tell us if your old fireplace has already been removed; that detail matters when we review the next steps.
Fireplace remodeling questions homeowners ask
Can I build the wall first and pick a fireplace later?
It is risky. A selected model determines its rough opening, depth, clearances, venting or electrical requirements, heat management and service access. Choose the model and check its installation instructions before finalizing framing and finishes.
Can I reuse my old gas fireplace vent with a new fireplace?
Only if the exact new appliance and installation method allow it. The existence or size of an old vent does not establish compatibility. A fireplace specialist needs to inspect the current system and the new model’s approved instructions.
Is an electric fireplace easier to remodel around?
Often it gives you more freedom because it does not need a combustion vent. It still needs the electrical supply, opening, clearances, heat discharge and future access specified for that model.
Can I put a TV above a fireplace?
Often, but the answer depends on the particular fireplace, heat management method, mantel or recess design and TV manufacturer’s temperature limits. Decide on both the fireplace and TV layout before building the wall.
