Before and After Installations of Direct Vent Fire Place
The fireplace below is a direct vent fireplace self installation with a Starfire glassfire base and Hyacinth fire glass Topper. There are a few fireplace companies who say this can't be done, really! So I guess this doesn't really didn't happen, did it?
Above and below you see all the components that make a direct vent work
And below you see the finished product. This was completed by Teresa Leets, an attorney in Los Angeles. So much for those fireplace guys.
Example #2 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
These fireplace pictures come to us from Joyce and Tom Dane who installed the fireglass from beginning to end. The fireplace was painted, converted and finished with Pink Rosa. This is a direct vent fireplace and for those of you who say it can't be done, well you just don't know how! We do and thousands of of customers do as well.
Below you can see they painted the interior and it now looks much better.
The lava filler underneath the burner.
Test the burner and the flame direction. Once your happy pour the glass.
There are so many who tell us this can't be done. You can leave the doors on or take the doors off, which ever you prefer. But we prefer/recommend for the doors and screens to be removed.
And instead finish with a custom fireplace surround
Example #3 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
These fireplace pictures come to us from a customer in Rancho Mirage just east of Palm Springs California. This is a direct vent fireplace and we used a Bronze base fireglass with Bronze Reflective on top. We use the original burner as it would do just fine. We are also cladding the bras with brushed stainless steel and we will post the pictures as soon as we get them.
Example #4 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
The fireplace below is in Venice Beach California. This is a direct vent fireplace conversion and we will show you how easy it is. For all of the installers out there who say it can't be done, well here you go. Pay attention now!
The house was under construction, so please excuse the debris around the fireplace. The pictures explain what we did. This will be our little secret. If you have any questions on your conversion please send us pictures and we will help you convert your direct vent fireplace as well.
We didn't change the amount of fuel (btu's) being burned just the way it looks. Flip the switch, the ignitor lights, allowing the gas to come up through the burner and the pilot light lights the gas rising from the burner below. As for the doomsayers that tell you this can't be done, Oh Well!
Most fireplace manufactures will tell you this will void your warranty. But you need to actually read the warranty to understand what they will or won't cover. The person telling you this at the factory, ask them what the warranty actually implies.
We have read many of these warranties and they won't cover the fireplace anyway. These warranties were written by attorneys to keep the liability from the manufacture and lay the blame on the consumer at any expense, no really read one.
The glass that was installed was Starfire fireglass.
Example #5 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
The next "B" vent or Direct Vent fireplace is from Mark Basillus. He sent us pictures showing how easy it actually is. Again if those "Dummies" keep telling you that you can't convert your ventless fireplace, well don't listen to their "the sky is falling!" nonesense. All I have to say is, Oh look!!!
Here is what Mark had to say:
Ed,
Wanted to share with you the photos of our finished conversion to fireglass.
We are really pleased that we decided to paint the inside of the fire box
red. That coupled with the glass had made the fireplace a focal point to
our living area!
Mark Basilius
[mailto:MBasilius@evgvikings.org]
Example #6 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
The fireplace below is a direct vent conversion. The most important issue to address here is to NEVER increase the amount of fuel that your fireplace was designed to burn.
We will explain as we move forward:
WOW! look at these nice logs, arent they unique and beautful? NO!
This is the burner in this particular direct vent fireplace.
This burner will work just fine.
Now we add Bronze Rust Copper base fire glass with Gold fireglass on top.
You tell me, which looks better?
Example #7 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
We are going to show you how to transform your direct vent fireplace into a real attractive fireplace. Here are some pictures sent to us from our customers, who have gone through the conversion process.
Has anyone ever said "Nice Logs"? I don't think so.
The key is not to change the amount of gas going into the fireplace, so don't change the regulator.
The thermo coupler (heat detector) will be raised to the surface to insure it will still work.
Drop in a new burner, or use your exsisting one. This fireplpace conversion used Gray fireglass, Gray Reflective fireglass and Clear Pyrite fireglass.
Example #8 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
We use a piece of stainless steel in the front to contain the glass to cover the burners and keep the glass level.
Example #9 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
The fireplace below is in Beverly Hills and is also a self install direct vent fireplace. This fireplace was filled with Gold fireglass and topped with a few pounds of Platinum fireglass.
The old burner was removed and a new bottom plate was installed.
Test the burner and thermo-coupler
The Gold fireglass was added over the crushed lava rock
And there you have it, fire! If your installer does not understand this then have then call us so we can guide them through the process.
Example #10 Of A Direct Vent Conversion
The next fireplace pictures was installed by our customer Ken Kenoyer. He constructed his own pan for his Direct Vent Fireplace conversion with our supervision. We will go through the steps to complete his installation. The glass that was used was Starfire base fireglass Red Topping and Red Topper. We will explain as we move forward.
Below is your burner system that came with your wonderful Direct Vent Fireplace and logs.
Below is a pictures of your pilot light system
We'ved removed the "stuff" and exposed the pilot and gas connection.
Royce built a pan to fit the fireplace.
Below he cut the pan out to accept the pilot light.
Connected the gas line.
Test the burner.
Pour the fire glass and your done! If anyone has told you that you can't convert a direct vent fireplace then these pictures and project don't exist! Just because they don't know what or how to do it, doesn't mean it can't be done.
The glass face is back on and it looks much better. A very nice and simple Self Installation!
Go To Page 2
