Start with how the fireplace will vent
Settle venting before you pick a mantel or a finish. The way smoke or exhaust leaves the house decides what's realistic. A home with a sound masonry chimney has different options than one with no chimney. A gas unit also has different needs than a wood-burning one.
- You have an existing masonry chimney: a wood or gas insert can often use it. It usually needs a properly sized liner, and we handle chimney liner installation as part of the job.
- You have no chimney at all: a factory-built fireplace comes with its own tested venting system. Many gas models vent straight through an exterior wall.
- You're replacing an older prefab unit: the new fireplace has to work with the existing chimney pipe and chase, or those parts get replaced too.
We look at the room during a free estimate and tell you plainly which of these paths fits your house, including when one of them doesn't.
What the visit covers
Clearances to combustibles are set by the manufacturer and the building code. Venting must match the appliance's listing or it won't draft or pass inspection.
Look at the space
The opening, wall or chase, the chimney and the fuel available are checked.
Choose the unit
Size, fuel and style are matched to the room and the venting.
Install
The unit and its venting are installed to the manufacturer's instructions and local code.
Test
The unit is fired and checked, and you're shown how to use it.
Signs to watch for
- A remodel that adds or moves a fireplace
- A damaged factory-built unit past repair
- An open fireplace that sends most of its heat up the chimney
- A switch from wood to gas or electric
What the technician checks
- Hearth extension and protection
- Opening or framing dimensions
- Permit requirements
- Gas supply or electrical needs
- Vent or liner route and length
Before the technician arrives
- Keep pets in another room while the work area is open.
- Clear a few feet of space in front of the hearth or appliance.
- Let the fireplace or stove cool completely — ideally no fire for 24 hours before the visit.
- Make sure the technician can reach the roof or attic access if it's needed.
Wood, gas or insert: which fits how you'll use it
| Option | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Wood-burning fireplace | Real flame, crackle and wood heat | Firewood storage, ash cleanup and regular chimney sweeping |
| Gas fireplace | Flame at the push of a button | A gas line to the unit and periodic service |
| Fireplace insert | Getting more heat out of an existing open fireplace | Fits inside the current firebox and usually needs a liner |
If you light a fire only a few times each winter and love the ritual, wood may be worth the upkeep. If you want warmth on a weeknight without hauling logs, gas usually wins. Our fireplace installation service page covers each type in more depth. You can also see how neighbors approach the same choice on our pages about West Hartford fireplace installations and installations for homes in Rocky Hill.
Fireplace installation for Farmington homes
The 2025 Census figure puts Farmington's population at 28,632. The town sits roughly 9 miles from Hartford. We also work in New Britain, West Hartford, Newington and Bloomfield, so nearby projects get the same attention.
A new fireplace often involves more than the unit itself. Depending on the project, we can also handle gas line installation, gas log installation, new fireplace doors and conversions from wood to gas. If your current fireplace just needs work, not replacement, start with fireplace repair in Farmington. You can also browse everything we offer in Farmington.
Free estimates, any hour
Estimates are free, and you can reach us 24 hours a day, Sunday through Friday to set one up. Same-day visits are possible where the schedule allows.
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Sources for the local data about Farmington.
