Skip to main content
Free Lunch & Learn — Ignite the Blueprint with Camina & Schmid, Wednesday, September 23 at 11 AM ET → Register Now
(732) 629-7444

How to Upgrade an Old Masonry Fireplace Without Rebuilding Your Entire Living Room

By Gary from Albers

Introduction

We've all seen the home-renovation shows.

Somebody says:

"We're just updating the fireplace."

Twenty minutes later, half the house is gone.

Fortunately, updating your fireplace does not automatically mean signing up for six months of construction chaos.

If you already have a masonry fireplace, a gas fireplace insert may allow you to change the function and appearance of the fireplace while continuing to use the existing location.

Start With What You Already Have

Before deciding what you want to buy, look at the fireplace you already own.

Take photos.

Measure the approximate opening.

Look at the surrounding materials.

Think about what you dislike.

Is it the appearance?

The inconvenience?

The lack of use?

The room design?

Those details give your fireplace professional much more useful information than simply saying:

"I want something new."

Choose the Fireplace Before Designing Around It

One mistake homeowners sometimes make is choosing stone, tile, a mantel or an entire living-room design before confirming the fireplace product.

The fireplace should be part of the planning process.

Products within the qualifying Heat & Glo Cosmo, Escape, Supreme, SupremeX and Provident insert families can give homeowners multiple design directions depending on the home.

If you're searching fireplace makeover New Jersey, old fireplace renovation NJ, gas fireplace insert for masonry fireplace, or living-room fireplace remodel, product selection should happen early.

Make the Fireplace Fit the House

Your fireplace shouldn't look like it accidentally wandered in from another home.

A traditional colonial may need a different design direction than a contemporary open-concept renovation.

That's why the showroom process matters.

Materials, dimensions, fireplace styles and finishing choices can be viewed together instead of separately.

And during the Heat & Glo Fall Promotion, qualifying products may also receive savings of up to $800 September 21–October 23.

Conclusion

You don't necessarily need to destroy your living room to fall back in love with your fireplace.

Start with the fireplace you already have.

Then determine what needs to change.

Visit Albers Fireplaces in Green Brook, New Jersey, to explore fireplace renovation options and qualifying Heat & Glo gas inserts.

See Your Options

Browse what we carry, or book an appointment and our team will help you narrow it down.

FAQs

Can I modernize an old brick fireplace?

There are many ways to update an older fireplace, including exploring a new insert and surrounding finish changes.

Do I have to remove my entire fireplace?

Not necessarily. Gas inserts are specifically designed for appropriate existing fireplace openings.

Can I keep my mantel?

That depends on your fireplace configuration, clearances and overall renovation plan.

What's the easiest way to start a fireplace remodel?

Begin with photos, measurements and a consultation with a fireplace professional.

Where can I get fireplace renovation ideas in NJ?

Visiting a fireplace showroom allows you to compare real products and finishing options instead of relying exclusively on online photos.

Have a Fireplace Question?

Our team has been answering homeowner questions since 1976. Call us, email us, or stop by the showroom—we'll give you a straight answer.