We have a brick fireplace. It has an insert for heating. It has no mantle. We want to build a wood mantle. It will be built from the base (brick also) up the sides, with the top mantle. I understand that since the heater insert is metal, we shouldn't put the new wood up next to the insert because of a possible heat problem. How far away from the heater insert should we plan on putting the wood, would one inch be sufficient? The heater insert is black and we'll paint the brick with black heat resistant/fireplace paint so the gap doesn't look bad. Thanks - any help is appreciated!

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I am looking at purchasing a home that was built in the late 60's/early 70's. It needs a major remodeling and updating (it still has a blue toilet even!). The house is huge and appears sound......and the acreage with the property is absoluely gorgeous. One major dislike in this house is a horrendous corner fireplace. It is not even a 90 corner - more like a 100 degree corner. The firebox is open on the front and side (24 inches wide on front, 18 inch wide on side). On top of that - it has a very unattractive 5 inch round steel pipe on the open corner of the firebox. The home was supposed to be a modern style - but in truth it is a mismatch of many styles. I want to take this home all the way to a Louisiana French Creole style cottage complete with wide plank cypress floors. And this fireplace just won't work. What are my options on this - being reasonable on price? To add to the problems - there is a fireplace in the basement that is somehow linked to this one - I assume they exit through a common chimney. Any suggestions on this that wouldn't cost more than the house is worth? I don't want to board it up - would I have to remove it? Or any options to take it out and leave the chimney for the fireplace below? Thank you.