Wood fireplace installation in West Tampa

Passing through ceilings and the attic

Wherever the chimney passes through a ceiling, the system uses a firestop part, and where it enters an attic, an insulation shield holds loose insulation back from the pipe. DuraTech's installation drawings show both, along with the rule to keep electrical wiring and insulation away from all chimneys.

These parts end up hidden above the ceiling, which is why they have to be right the first time. Our pros install the listed firestops and shields, check the attic run and keep the work visible for any required inspection before the ceiling is finished.

Firebox walls and depth in a masonry fireplace

The firebox is the part that holds the fire. The Florida residential code sets its minimum depth at 20 inches in section R1001.6, with the throat at least 8 inches above the fireplace opening. Section R1001.5 calls for back and side walls at least 8 inches thick when lined with firebrick at least 2 inches thick, or 10 inches of solid masonry without that lining.

Those figures are minimums. Our pros size the firebox to the room and the chimney above it, build it with firebrick and a refractory mortar made for fire, and explain the proportions on the drawing for your home in West Tampa.

Choosing where the fireplace goes

The ideal spot on paper is not always buildable. The chimney route, the roof framing, the clearances and the hearth all have to fit, and the room has to work around an open fire. NFPA heating safety guidance asks for a 3-foot gap between a fireplace and anything that can burn, plus a 3-foot zone around open fires where children do not play.

Our pros look at the wall you have in mind and at least one alternative, then explain what each would mean for construction and furniture layout in your West Tampa home before you commit.

What your written estimate spells out

A fireplace installation involves more parts and trades than most home projects, so the estimate has to be specific. Ours names every piece of the job, the work we include and the work others handle.

You approve the price before anything is ordered, with no hidden fees, and approving the installation within 72 hours of the inspection takes 10% off.

• The fireplace model and its listed chimney system
• Framing, chase and any structural work
• Hearth extension size and material
• Roof opening, cap and chase top
• Permit and inspection steps
• Work handled by other trades