What is a Zero Clearance Fireplace?

[@pennguino9137]

Thanks for the info. Been trying to design an ICF house for a cold climate and definitely want a fireplace but not destroy the efficiencies of ICF.

[@JohnnyDragon25]

great information. we just bought a house that has a zero clearance gas fireplace. I've always had a wood stove so this is new territory for me.

[@jrgaln]

What the clearance? Show the installation process. This is why we click on the video. We don't want to hear you talk we want to see you do. How else are you going to sell the product?

[@thefireplacewhisperer7211]

Homeowners typically don’t know the difference between an insert and a zero clearance fireplace. This is an educational video. Not a sales or install video. :)

[@glynislogue1315]

What brand of fireplace is behind you and the insert you showed without a facing?

[@thefireplacewhisperer7211]

Hi Glynis, the wood stove behind me is a discontinued Rais wood stove called the Rondo. The gas zc fireplace around the 4.27 min mark is a Regency HZ40E zc fireplace which is still in production. www.regency-fire.com/en/Products/Gas/Contemporary-Gas-Fireplaces/HZ40E

[@mujkocka]

thanks for the great info. out of interest is this type of fireplace less efficient than the free standing ones?

[@thefireplacewhisperer7211]

I think both sides could be debated. The ZC fireplace is inside the envelope of your home. So even the heat that is coming off the back, sides, and top is still inside the home. For many homeowners, esthetics are more important than a couple percentage points in efficiency. :)

[@RockyCastaneda]

Hi Chris, we are planning to replace our carpet with engineered wood laminate floors I am wondering if its okay to remove the hearth to have an even floor on the front of the fireplace. It is a fixed glass gas fireplace and are there any California laws that require hearth to be installed even on a fixed glass gas fireplace?

[@thefireplacewhisperer7211]

Hi Rocky, Take a look at the installation manual of the fireplace. It will usually state what it needs for a hearth. Some fireplaces, if they are high enough off the floor, you could run the wood floor right up to it. In most cases, I would say that a non-combustible hearth is needed. Hope that helps! :)

[@bluequiltedness]

Just bought a third floor apartment with a zero clearance wood fireplace (decorative type I believe) built in the early '80s. Any idea on what my options might be for upgrading it to something newer and nicer, without having to make modifications to the flue? Ideally I'd like to pull it out and put in a bigger hearth with a wood stove in its place, but again, using the existing flue.

[@thefireplacewhisperer7211]

bluequiltedness The simplest solution would be to put in a wood insert with a liner going from the insert to the top of the existing chimney. If you pulled out the existing ZC unit, your inspector probably wouldn’t approve using the existing chimney. But you could check with them. Good luck!

[@bluequiltedness]

@@thefireplacewhisperer7211 Thanks, I think you're right about the liner. That seems to be the consensus

[@IPeAnUtIDimebag]

Simple solution buy a house