Skip to content
CAPO Building Specialties Logo CAPO Building Specialties Logo
Account
Account
Search
Loading...
Cart
  • Fireplaces
    • Wood Burning Fireplaces
    • Gas Fireplaces
      • Direct Vent Fireplaces
      • Gas Fireplace Inserts
      • Direct Vent Gas Fireplace Inserts
      • Ventless Fireplaces
    • Electric Fireplaces
      • Free-Standing Electric Fireplaces
      • Electric Fireplace Inserts
      • Built-In Electric Fireplaces
    • Fireplace Brands (Electric)
      • Dimplex
      • European Home Electric
      • Modern Flames
      • Simplifire
      • Malm
    • Fireplace Brands (Gas/Wood)
      • Adobelite
      • IHP Astria
      • Enviro
      • European Home
      • European Home – Focus
      • Harman
      • Hearthstone
      • Heatilator
      • IHP Ironstrike
      • Kuma
      • Majestic
      • Malm
      • Marquis
      • Mendota
      • Montigo
      • Morso
      • Napoleon
      • Ortal
      • Osburn
      • Pacific Energy
      • Paloform
      • Rais
      • Renaissance
      • RSF
      • Solas
      • Stellar by Heat & Glo
      • Town Country
      • True North
      • Vermont Castings
    • Linear Fireplaces
    • Outdoor Fireplaces
    • Frameless Fireplaces
    • Gas Logs
    • Fireplace Accessories
      • Fireplace Screens
  • Stoves
    • Wood Stoves
    • Gas Stoves
    • Pellet Stoves
    • Oil Stoves
  • Garage Doors
    • AlumaDoor Garage Doors
    • Amarr Garage Doors
    • Carriage House Doors
    • C.H.I. Overhead Doors
    • Clopay Garage Doors
    • Wayne Dalton Garage Doors
  • Chimney Shrouds
    • American Chimney Shrouds
  • Mantels
    • HearthCo
    • Magra Hearth
  • Outdoor Living
    • Outdoor Wood Fireplaces
    • Outdoor Gas Fireplaces
    • Outdoor Heaters
    • Fire Pits
      • Gas Fire Pits
      • Wood Fire Pits
      • Fire Pit Tables
      • Fire Bowls
    • Barbecues
      • Green Mountain Grills
      • AOG Grills
      • PGS
      • Fire Magic
    • Grills
      • Built-In Grills
      • Charcoal Grills
      • Gas Grills
      • Barbecue Accessories
      • Pellet Grills
    • Pizza Ovens
      • Morso
    • Brands
      • American Fyre
      • Bromic
      • Paloform
      • Regency Outdoor
  • About Us
    • Projects
    • Showroom Virtual Tour
      • San Juan Capistrano Virtual Tour
      • Chico Virtual Tour
      • Concord Virtual Tour
      • Palm Desert Virtual Tour
      • Reno Virtual Tour
      • Sacramento Virtual Tour
      • San Diego Virtual Tour
      • Santa Cruz Virtual Tour
      • Van Nuys Virtual Tour
  • Resources
  • Contact
    • San Juan Capistrano
    • Chico
    • Concord
    • Hesperia
    • Palm Desert
    • Reno
    • Sacramento
    • San Diego
    • Santa Cruz
    • Van Nuys
  • Account
  • Home
  • / News
  • / How to Measure for a Fireplace Insert
Professional technician with measuring tape installing electric fireplace in room

How to Measure for a Fireplace Insert

Courtney Pierce·January 25, 2023
  • Fireplace insert installation
  • Fireplace insert measurements
  • Fireplace inserts

If you are in the process of remodeling your home, you might be considering updating your old fireplace. An electric or gas fireplace insert can be the perfect option for more energy efficiency.

However, before buying one of these inserts, you will need to know the measurements of your old fireplace.

How to Measure Your Fireplace Cavity

Technician installing electric fireplace in room

Measuring your fireplace is essential before buying a new fireplace insert. Fireplace inserts are installed directly in existing fireplace openings. For better results, the insert needs to match the space as perfectly as possible.

For accuracy, you must consider three crucial dimensions of your fireplace: the height, depth, and width. We also recommend investing in a high-quality measuring tape and writing down all the measurements to avoid mistakes.

Here is how to measure fireplace inserts:

  1. Start by measuring your fireplace’s height. Do this from top to bottom several times to get the most accurate measurements.
  2. Proceed to measure the width of the fireplace opening. You should do this from left to right and in different parts to get more accurate measurements. Cross-check the width if necessary before the next step.
  3. Finally, it’s time to measure your firebox’s depth. Do it from front to back a couple of times to get the best accuracy of the interior width. 

You should also consider measuring the room in which you’ll be installing the insert. This will help you choose a fireplace insert with the correct BTUs (British Thermal Units). The BTUs measure the capacity of a fireplace insert to warm up your room, depending on its size.

Once you have measured your room, multiply the number you get by 20. It should give you an accurate idea of the minimum BTUs required by a fireplace insert.

For instance, a room that’s 500 sq. ft will need a minimum of 10,000 BTUs.

Benefits of a Fireplace Insert

Stylish living room interior with fireplace

Installing a fireplace insert is an excellent way to update your old fireplace without making major structural changes to your home. Adding an insert is also a way to change the fueling of your fireplace for something more environmentally friendly and with better heat capacity.

For instance, gas and electricity are safer than traditional wood-burning fireplaces.

Here are the benefits of updating your fireplace with a fireplace electric insert:

  • Electric fireplace inserts provide a safer option for families with pets and small children. They don’t use fire in any way, so the risks of burns or fires are drastically reduced.
  • These inserts are easier to manage than traditional wood-burning fireplaces. Electric inserts include features that allow you to control them through remotes or even smart home devices.
  • Electric inserts require less maintenance to last for long periods. You also do not need to clean yours after every use because it will not produce any waste.
  • They are easier to operate and a lot more affordable. Besides helping you save money, electric inserts will also help you save time.

Here are the advantages of choosing a gas insert:

  • Gas fireplace inserts are designed to mimic wood-burning fireplaces. They use gas to create flames and ceramic logs to make them more realistic.
  • They have superior heating capacity compared to other fireplace and stove models. They surpass electric inserts in power and have better energy efficiency than traditional wood-burning fireplaces.

Find the Perfect Fireplace Insert for Your Home with CAPO Building Specialties

Living room with fireplace

Are you looking to update an old fireplace with a brand-new fireplace insert? Look no further than CAPO Building Specialties.

We have inserts from the most reliable brands, from Enviro to Pacific Energy and more. Check out our Electric Fireplace Inserts and Gas Fireplace Inserts collection and find the perfect one for your needs!

Share
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Pin it
  • 4th of July mantel decor
  • 4th of July mantel decorations
  • 4th of July mantel ideas
  • Advantages electric fireplace
  • Are outdoor fire pits safe
  • Backyard design
  • Backyard fireplace ideas
  • Backyard furniture
  • Backyard Landscaping
  • Backyard oasis
  • Barbecue corn
  • Barbecue tri-tip
  • Barbecued chicken
  • BBQs
  • Best electric fireplace
  • Best outdoor grills
  • Best Wood to Burn in a Stove
  • Brick fireplace cleaning
  • Brick fireplaces
  • Built-in electric fireplaces
  • Burger recipes
  • Burning pine wood
  • Can you burn pine wood
  • Can you burn pine wood in a fire pit
  • Can you roast marshmallows on a gas fire pit?
  • Christmas decorations
  • Christmas fireplace
  • Christmas Fireplace Decor
  • Christmas mantel decor
  • Cinco de Mayo mantel decor
  • Cleaning a fireplace
  • Cleaning your grill grates
  • Cooking a steak
  • Cost of an outdoor fireplace
  • Custom mantels for stockings
  • Decorate fireplace mantel
  • Decorate mantel for Valentine’s Day
  • Decorating a fireplace
  • Decorating a mantel for St. Patrick’s Day
  • DIMPLEX fireplaces
  • Easter mantel decor
  • Easter mantel decor ideas
  • Easter mantel decorations
  • Eco-friendly Fireplaces
  • Efficient fireplaces
  • Electric fireplace
  • Electric fireplace consoles
  • Electric fireplace energy efficiency
  • Electric fireplace flames
  • Electric fireplace insert
  • Electric fireplace inserts
  • Electric fireplace models
  • Electric fireplace use
  • Electric fireplaces
  • Electric fireplaces and venting
  • Electric heaters
  • Electric insert installation
  • Energy consumption of electric fireplaces
  • Energy efficiency
  • Fireplace cleaning advice
  • Fireplace cleaning tips
  • Fireplace decoration
  • Fireplace glass doors
  • Fireplace insert installation
  • Fireplace insert measurements
  • Fireplace inserts
  • Fireplace mantel
  • Fireplace mantel decor
  • Fireplace mantel ideas
  • Fireplace mantels
  • Fireplace models
  • Fireplace wood
  • Flame displays
  • Freestanding stove
  • Gas fire pit
  • Gas fire pits
  • Gas fireplaces and electricity
  • Grill cleaning tips
  • Grill grilled cheese
  • Grill steak outdoors
  • Grilled asparagus
  • Grilled bbq chicken
  • Grilled cheese
  • Grilled corn
  • Grilled New York Strip Steak
  • Halloween Decor
  • Hanging Christmas stockings
  • Holiday Home Styling
  • Holiday mantel decor
  • Homemade pizza
  • How do I barbecue chicken
  • How do I start a fire in a fire pit
  • How do you barbecue a tri-tip
  • How do you barbecue shrimp
  • How do you make grilled cheese on the stove
  • How does a smokeless fire pit work
  • How gas fireplaces work
  • How much does an outdoor fireplace cost
  • How to barbecue a New York Strip Steak
  • How to barbecue oysters
  • How to barbecue shrimp
  • How to build a fire in a fireplace
  • How to clean grill grates
  • How to clean the barbecue grill grate
  • How to cook a grilled cheese sandwich on the stove
  • How to cook oysters on the grill
  • How to cook rice
  • How to decorate a mantel for Valentine’s Day
  • How to decorate for Cinco de Mayo
  • How to efficiently use a wood stove
  • How to grill oysters
  • How to grill salmon
  • How to hang stockings
  • How to keep a wood stove burning all night
  • How to keep a wood-burning stove
  • How to light a gas fire pit
  • How to make barbecue shrimp
  • How to make grilled cheese on the stove
  • How to mount tv on brick fireplace
  • How to paint a brick fireplace
  • How to paint a fireplace
  • How to start a fire in a fireplace
  • How to start a fire in fire pit
  • How to use a wood stove efficiently
  • How to use a wood-burning stove
  • How to use a wood-burning stove efficiently
  • Indoor stove
  • Installing a fireplace insert
  • Landscape design
  • Leading fireplace distributor
  • Lighting a gas fire pit
  • Mantel decor
  • Mantel decor for Hanukkah
  • Mantel decor ideas
  • Mantel-less Fireplace Ideas
  • Medium-rare steak
  • Mounting a tv on brick
  • New fireplace mantel
  • New Year mantel decor
  • New Year mantel decor ideas
  • New Years fireplace mantel decor
  • Outdoor barbecue grill
  • Outdoor fire pit safety
  • Outdoor fire pit safety tips
  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Outdoor fireplace cost
  • Outdoor fireplace design
  • Outdoor fireplace ideas
  • Outdoor fireplace mantel
  • Outdoor grill
  • Outdoor grill cleaning
  • Outdoor grills
  • Outdoor living area
  • Outdoor Living Areas
  • Outdoor living space
  • Outdoor Living Space Ideas
  • Outdoor oasis
  • Outdoor pizza oven
  • Outdoor pizza oven recipes
  • Outdoor space
  • Pan-seared salmon
  • Pizza oven cooking tips
  • Popcorn seasoning
  • Professional steak grilling tips
  • Quality outdoor grills
  • Realistic electric fireplaces
  • Realistic flame displays
  • Realistic Flame Effects
  • Reheating rice
  • Rice cooking techniques
  • Roasting marshmallows on a gas fire pit
  • Safe electric fireplaces
  • Salmon grilling tips
  • Smokeless fire pits
  • Sparky's Corner
  • St. Patrick’s Day mantel decor
  • St. Patrick’s Day mantel decorations
  • Steak recipe
  • Steaks on the grill
  • Stove burning all night
  • Stovetop burger
  • Stovetop popcorn
  • Stovetop salmon
  • Thanksgiving mantel decor
  • Top-quality fireplaces
  • Turkey decorations
  • TV on brick fireplace
  • Types of fireplace inserts
  • Types of fireplace mantels
  • Types of fireplaces
  • Types of firewood
  • Upgrading your brick fireplace
  • Valentine’s Day mantel decor
  • Venting an electric fireplace
  • What is a fireplace insert
  • What is a fireplace mantel
  • What is tri-tip?
  • Wood burning fire pit
  • Wood burning fireplace
  • Wood for burning
  • Wood stove
  • Wood stove buyers guide
  • Wood stove regulations
  • Wood stove safety tips
  • Wood stoves
  • Wood-burning fireplace
  • Wood-burning stove safety
  • Wood-burning stove safety check
  • Wood-burning stoves
  • Wood-fired pizza oven

Previous

Gas logs fireside grand oak gas log sets
January 18, 2023

The Types of Gas Logs: The Ultimate Buyers Guide

Next

Allusion platinum recessed linear electric fireplace
February 14, 2023

How Do Electric Fireplaces Work?

Shop

  • Fireplace Gas / Wood
  • Chimney Shrouds
  • Fireplace Electric
  • Barbecues
  • Pizza Ovens
  • Mantels
  • Outdoor Living

About

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • FAQ

Virtual Tour

  • Van Nuys Virtual Tour
  • San Diego Virtual Tour
  • Palm Desert Virtual Tour
  • Concord Virtual Tour
  • San Juan Capistrano Virtual Tour
  • Santa Cruz Virtual Tour
  • Sacramento Virtual Tour
  • Reno Virtual Tour
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund Policy
  • Shipping Policy
  • Sitemap
Copyright © 2025 CAPO Building Specialties.
American Express Diners Club Discover JCB Mastercard Visa