Fireplace Remodel Options in Dallas
A fireplace is often the first thing you see in a living room. In many Dallas homes it is also the most dated part of the room. A remodel can change how it looks, how warm it makes the room, or both.
We work on the fireplace itself: the firebox, the surround, the hearth, the logs or insert, and the chimney behind it. We do not do general home remodeling like drywall, flooring or cabinets. If your project includes those, your contractor handles them and we handle the fireplace.
Signs Your Fireplace Is Ready for an Update
- Dark brick from the 1970s that makes the room feel smaller
- A wood-burning fireplace you rarely use because of the mess
- A drafty fireplace that pulls warm air out of the room in winter
- Old gas logs that look worn or burn with a weak flame
- A cracked surround or loose tile around the opening
- A factory-built fireplace with a dated metal front
Updating 1970s Brick Fireplaces
Many 1960s and 1970s homes in Lake Highlands, Lakewood Heights, Richardson and Garland have large brick fireplaces, some floor-to-ceiling. The brick is usually sound, but the look is dated.
Common updates are:
- Paint or limewash. A lighter color changes the room fast and keeps the brick texture.
- New surround. Tile or stone veneer over the brick around the opening.
- New hearth. A new hearth surface in front of the firebox.
- Glass doors. Doors that close off the opening when the fireplace is not in use.
Before any cosmetic work, we check the firebox and damper. A new surround should not hide a cracked firebox. If the lining needs work, see firebox repair.
New Fireplace Surrounds
The surround is the face of the fireplace around the opening. It can be tile, stone veneer, brick or another material rated for the heat.
Codes set clear limits here. Combustible trim and mantels must stay a set distance from the opening, and the hearth must extend out in front of the firebox to catch sparks. Under the International Residential Code, a fireplace opening under 6 square feet needs a hearth extension at least 16 inches in front and 8 inches on each side. The code also limits how far combustible trim can stick out near the opening. Within 12 inches of the opening, it can project no more than 1/8 inch for each inch of distance. A thick wood mantel set too low is a common problem in older remodels. We check these clearances on every surround we install.
Insert Conversion: Wood to Gas
Converting a wood-burning fireplace to gas is a popular update in Dallas, where gas fireplaces are very common. You get a fire with no wood to haul and no ashes to clean.
There are two main ways to do it:
| Gas log set | Gas insert | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Logs and burner in your existing firebox | Sealed box that fits inside the firebox |
| Heat into the room | Low, mostly for looks | High, works as a room heater |
| Venting | Uses the existing flue, damper clamped open | New liner from the insert to the top of the chimney |
| Glass front | No | Yes |
| Price | Free written estimate | Free written estimate |
An insert needs its own liner. See chimney relining for how we size and install it. Both options need a gas line at the fireplace. We work on the fireplace, not the gas supply line, so a licensed plumber runs the line if you do not have one.
Gas Log Installation
If your fireplace already has a gas line and you want the look of a fire without the work, a set of gas logs is the simplest change. Vented logs give the most natural flame and need the damper fixed open. Vent-free logs put more heat into the room but have their own rules for room size and air. Learn more on our gas log installation page.
Fireplace Installation and Factory-Built Units
Newer homes in North Dallas, Plano and Carrollton often have factory-built fireplaces. These can be remodeled too, but the parts that touch the fire, like the panels, screens and doors, must be the ones listed by the maker for that model. If the unit is worn out, a new unit may make more sense. See fireplace installation.
How a Fireplace Remodel Works
- Visit. We look at the fireplace, firebox, damper and chimney, and ask what you want it to look like and how you want to use it.
- Inspect. If the fireplace has not been checked lately, we do a fireplace inspection first.
- Estimate. You get a free written estimate with photos, the plan and the price.
- Permits. We tell you if a permit is needed for your job and city.
- Install. We protect the room, do the work and clean up.
- Walk-through. We show you how to use the new logs, insert or doors.
Fireplaces and other heating equipment are a leading cause of home fires in winter, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A remodel is a good time to fix the safety items too.
Book a Fireplace Remodel Estimate in Dallas
Chimney Sweep Keepers Dallas is a veteran-owned, family-run company at 6041 Village Bend Dr, near White Rock Lake. We answer 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM. Call (469) 206-2085 and we will look at your fireplace and give you a free written estimate for your remodel.
