Take on this DIY project to append cozy heat to your home .
Fireplaces are a source of warmth , light , and comfort , specially when the weather twist to rain cats and dogs rainwater , gusting wind , or snowstorms . However , traditional wood fireplacesrequire a lot of maintenance , and they are pricy to set up . Gas fireplaces are not as difficult to keep , but in most cases , you will still need to pay a professional to handle the installation .
If you ’re looking for the ambience and esthetic appeal of a fireplace , but do n’t require to pay high price for the installation , an electric fireplace is a good selection . galvanizing fireplaces are low - maintenance and relatively cheap , plus they can be install by an experient DIYer . view whether you want to put in a bulwark - mounted electric hearth or a recessed electric open fireplace , then use this guide to get word how to install an galvanizing fireplace in your dwelling house .
Credit: Adam Albright
Choosing an Electric Fireplace Installation Method
There are several shipway an galvanizing fireplace can be installed in your home , so before purchasing , it ’s important to compute out how you want to instal the building block . The easiest method for a DIYer is to instal a rampart - mounted galvanizing fireplace . This need installing mounting brackets straight off to the rampart , then mounting the electric hearth on the brackets .
If you ’re sure-footed in yourcarpentry skills , you might opt to install a recess electric open fireplace . This method acting is more difficult , but it tends to look honest because the majority of the fireplace is hide inside the wall . Recessed galvanic fireplace installment involves cut an opening in an existing wall to add the galvanic fireplace , or you may build out a rampart specifically for the electric fireplace . build out a bulwark might be a good choice if you are worried about compromise a load - carry wall or affecting the detachment on an exterior rampart .
What You’ll Need
Equipment / Tools
Materials
Instructions
How to Install an Electric Fireplace
Putting in an galvanising hearth can be challenging , especially if you want to build out a paries for the unit , but by following these steps , you’re able to memorize how to install an electric fireplace in your home .
Plan Location
The first step of this DIY project is to plan where you will be set up the fireplace . resolve whether you want tobuild out a bulwark , ignore into an existing wall , or wall - mount the unit , then make an accurate composition board cutout of the electric hearth . place the cardboard cutout in the approximate area where the open fireplace will be set up . revolve around and raze the cardboard cutout , then tape it to the wall to mark the accurate installment location of the fireplace .
If you ’re build out the rampart for the hearth installation , cut two 2x6sone inch shorter than the finished paries . These pieces will serve as the top and bottom plates of the fireplace wall . grade the snapper , the rough opening for the fireplace , and the stud positions every 16 inches across both plates .
Build or Frame the Opening
The next step will variegate depending on your facility method . If you are installing a paries - mounted fireplace , mark the daub where you ’ll localise the mounting angle bracket , ensuring the bracket are properlyaligned with the studs . Level the mount bracket , then use a drill to secure the bracket to the wall .
If you are installing a recessed fireplace in an be wall , you ’ll need to build a frame to support the fireplace whole . Check the manufacturer ’s focal point to determine the figure ’s size of it based on the firebox ’s proportion . Cut a golf hole in the wall with a service program knife and use screws to fasten the skeletal system to the existing studs .
If you ’re build out a paries for the recessed fireplace , cut stud poker to the desired duration and build a frame for the open fireplace installing . Keep in mind that the opening for the open fireplace should be about 1.5 inch grandiloquent and wider than the fireplace unit toinstall drywall .
Line up the stud and fireplace frame harmonise to the layout soft touch on the top and bottom plates . Use screws to put the hearth wall together , then brook it up in the desired position . Attach blocks between the studhorse so that they ’re flush with the back of the wall , then tighten the fireplace paries to thestuds in the existingwall to secure the fireplace wall .
Put Cord Through Wall
Before worry about the wiring , secure the galvanic fireplace in and ensure it work . If the unit mesh decently , you may keep with the installation . If you are put in a paries - mount building block , pass over to ill-use 5 . For sunken facility , you ’ll need to fish the power cord through the bulwark .
Some fireplaces can be plug into an available release , while othersneed to be hardwired . Consider rent an electrician if your fireplace want to be hardwired or if you need to install a raw outlet nigher to the fireplace . For those that are experienced and comfortable dealing with electrical wiring , drill trap through the stud and angle the electric cable through the holes so that you may hardwire the unit or connect it to a nearby outlet .
Finish Fireplace
With the electrical cable through the wall , meter and cut pieces of wallboard to finish the fireplace wall or patch the exist wall . add the dry wall , admit the interior of the fireplace opening where the wood frame is disclose . Tape and muck the wall , then give it enough time to fully dry before proceedings .
Fit and Secure Fireplace
A bulwark - climb on open fireplace typically comes with either slot or hooks on the back . If it has slot , connect the slot to the hooks on the mounting bracket , and if the hearth has hook on the back , connect the hooks to the slot on the mounting brackets .
For deep-set fireplace , remove the methamphetamine hydrochloride dialog box and side angle bracket for access to the secure holes . slew the electric fireplace into position and secure it to both sides of the frame . Once it is fix in place , supercede the side bracket .
Add any items that were admit with the fireplace , like crystal ember , driftwood log pieces , decorative rock and roll , or even calamitous fire crank .
Install Glass Panel
Clean thefireplace screenand the glass , then reattach the glass instrument panel . plug any fasteners to ensure that the meth wo n’t slip or shift . last , turn on the electric fireplace to test its functionality and appearance .
If you install a recessed galvanizing open fireplace , ensure to paint the dry wall for a in full finished figure .
When to Get Help with an Electric Fireplace Installation
Not every DIY taskcan be handled on your own . For instance , it might require a second person to help oneself lift the hearth into position , or you might need to get through an electrician to help hardwire the electric hearth . If you are uncomfortable doing electric work , hire a train professional to take caution of this step .
Similarly , if you want a sunken fireplace , but are n’t positive in your woodworking skills , consider lease an experient carpenter or general contractile organ . They can drywall , tape , clay , and build out the wall or establish a frame for the electric fireplace in an existing rampart so that you’re able to put the fireplace in position . After the facility , have the contractile organ return to paint for a ruined appearance .
