Code Requirements

• When planning your fireplace, consult local building codes. Find out if you need to pull a permit and have a building inspector check your work. Also, research building codes so that you are installing the fireplace correctly. Either make a trip to your county building department or visit its website for information and guidelines.
  
  

Choices

• Consider where your fireplace will go and then what kind you plan to install. Most fireplaces are built into an existing wall. You can install a fireplace in the middle of a room, but this works better with new construction projects.
  
  Next, decide on the type of fireplace you want. Choose either a masonry fireplace or a prefabricated one. Masonry fireplaces are not a good choice for do-it-yourself home projects. They are made of stone or brick and require an experienced mason to do the work. However, if you have an existing masonry fireplace in your home, you can do the work to get it up and running again, in part by purchasing a prefabricated firebox that fits into the existing masonry fireplace.
  
  You can also purchase a prefabricated fireplace made of steel called a zero-clearance fireplace. These models can also be placed in a corner and clad with a material that matches your home, such as tile or brick, then vented properly.
  
  

Installation

• Prefabricated fireplaces are put together much like a puzzle. All of the components for the fireplace are generally sold together. Once you have chosen the location for the fireplace, attach the flue. Most flue pipes are made of metal, but some are made of a flexible pipe. Install the flue pipe from the top of the fireplace and run it up through the roof, preferably with little or no bending. The flue pipe can stand alone or you can vent it through your existing chimney. Also, consider sheathing the flue in a building material such as brick or rocks. Once the flue is installed, place a chimney cap on top.
  
  If you have an existing masonry fireplace, consider a prefabricated fireplace that will fit inside the firebox. Then, as you would for the prefabricated systems, run a flue through the chimney and pipe it through the roof.