Insulated Fireplace Insert
completed February 23, 2003
Our second floor sitting room fireplace is very rarely used. We had it converted to a gas fireplace but since the kids managed to misplace the remote control for it we rarely take the trouble to turn it on (another One Of These Days project is to get another remote). In the meantime, since it's a gas appliance, the damper is always a little bit open (cannot be closed completely anymore -- there's a small device on it). So a LOT of heat was escaping up the flue.
Finally I decided to do something about it and made this insulated cover for the fireplace opening.
I simply measured the inside opening of the fireplace and cut a piece of thick insulating foam to fit. I wrapped some batting around the foam and taped it in place. Then I took some fabric and appliquéd some logs and flames so it would still look like a fireplace and not just a blank piece of fabric! I wrapped the fabric around the foam and secured it with pins. Then it was inserted in the fireplace opening and is held in just by the tight fit.
No more drafts!!
Oh yes, and the very, very important part: we DID turn off the gas supply and the pilot light prior to blocking the opening.