ᐅ Installing a Through-Wall Fireplace in a Load-Bearing Wall? Clearance Requirements?

Created on: 21 Aug 2022 11:56

Hello,

we are planning to retrofit a see-through fireplace in our house. Currently, there is no fireplace or stove in the house. The see-through fireplace is intended to be installed between the living room and the current office. The office will later be converted into a kitchen. There is a load-bearing wall between these two rooms. Ten years ago, an opening was already made in this load-bearing wall, with a steel beam as a lintel and a glass sliding door installed. This opening is now to be replaced with a see-through fireplace and a door.

Below are the current photos and concept images:

My questions are as follows:

- Is it possible to install a see-through fireplace in a load-bearing wall?
- What clearance distances must be maintained around a see-through fireplace, for example to a door, a radiator, electrical wiring, etc.?
- In images on the internet, I have often seen ventilation slots above or on the sides of the fireplace glass. Can these ventilation slots also be placed on the top of the fireplace?
- Are there options to limit visibility through one glass panel of the see-through fireplace if needed?
- Which see-through fireplaces are recommended?
- For closing the opening, is it better to use a drywall partition or to build a masonry wall with sand-lime bricks? What are the implications for sound insulation?
- What is the approximate cost to carry out this construction project?

motorradsilke21 Aug 2022 22:36

SaniererNRW123 schrieb:

LOL. That already covers the cost of the fireplace insert with the finished built-in surround. We paid for that 5 or 6 years ago.

Exactly. So the entire floor will have to be taken out. I’m assuming that a) you’re not allowed to place the fireplace directly on wood, and b) the structural load probably won’t hold with a 250-300 kg (550-660 lbs) insert causing point loads (it only stands on four small feet). That’s going to be expensive.

I assume that in such a new (and airtight) house, the chimney inspector will prefer to see an airtight (room-independent) fireplace system (in fact, based on my own inspector, I think you will definitely need a fireplace with external air supply). So it must have fresh air supply from outside the house – that will be challenging and costly. Otherwise, every time you want to light the fireplace, you’ll have to open a window (you may also need a window contact sensor connected to the fireplace). If you have an exhaust hood installed, this will definitely be necessary. In other words, the exhaust hood will not operate if the fireplace is on and no window is open.

Also, keep in mind that the chimney has clearance and height regulations that must be followed.

We have a room-dependent fireplace in our new KfW55 house. That works fine as long as there is no exhaust hood and the room is large enough. Our fireplace even sits on parquet flooring, with only a glass plate underneath. You can find those at DIY stores.

Your first step should always be to consult with the chimney inspector. Let them come and take a look—they’ll decide what you are allowed to do and what you aren’t.

SaniererNRW12321 Aug 2022 23:37

motorradsilke schrieb:

We also have a room air-dependent fireplace in our new KfW55 house. That works as long as there is no exhaust hood and the room is large enough.
Our fireplace is also placed on parquet flooring, with only a glass plate underneath. You can find those at hardware stores.

You were lucky with your chimney technician.
And I'm not saying that you can't place a fireplace on parquet. But in the original poster’s case, there is only battens underneath, with no screed.

ᐅ Installing a Through-Wall Fireplace in a Load-Bearing Wall? Clearance Requirements?

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