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How to Measure for a FireplaceFireplace Advice Centre > How to measure for a fireplace
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Measuring correctly is the first step towards choosing a fireplace that will fit your room and chimney opening. This guide explains the key measurements to take before you buy.
Will this fireplace fit my chimney opening?
It’s the question we’re asked more than any other at Grate Finds. In most cases, it’s straightforward to work out.
Every fireplace on our website includes detailed measurements, including the Minimum Chimney Opening Required. Once you’ve measured the opening, simply compare your measurements with those shown on the listing. Most customers are then happy to place their order online.
If you’d like a second opinion before buying, we’re always happy to have a look.
Every fireplace on our website includes detailed measurements, including the Minimum Chimney Opening Required. Once you’ve measured the opening, simply compare your measurements with those shown on the listing. Most customers are then happy to place their order online.
If you’d like a second opinion before buying, we’re always happy to have a look.
If there's already a fireplace installed
If there’s still a fireplace in the opening, it will need to be removed before the opening can be measured properly.
Behind the fireplace you may also find an old clay fireback. Most of the fireplaces we sell already have their own cast iron fireback, so an existing clay fireback will often need to be removed before your new fireplace is installed.
That’s normally best left to your builder or installer.
Behind the fireplace you may also find an old clay fireback. Most of the fireplaces we sell already have their own cast iron fireback, so an existing clay fireback will often need to be removed before your new fireplace is installed.
That’s normally best left to your builder or installer.
Make sure the full opening can be seen
Over the years, chimney openings may have been altered or partly covered with plaster or plasterboard.
If part of the opening is hidden, your builder may need to expose the original opening before the final measurements can be taken.
Across the top of the opening you’ll usually find the support that’s holding up the chimney breast. In many properties this will be a lintel, while in many Victorian homes it may instead be a brick arch.
Whatever form it takes, don’t remove it. It’s supporting the chimney breast above, so any work around it should be left to your builder or installer.
If part of the opening is hidden, your builder may need to expose the original opening before the final measurements can be taken.
Across the top of the opening you’ll usually find the support that’s holding up the chimney breast. In many properties this will be a lintel, while in many Victorian homes it may instead be a brick arch.
Whatever form it takes, don’t remove it. It’s supporting the chimney breast above, so any work around it should be left to your builder or installer.
Measure the chimney opening
Once the opening is fully exposed, measure:
• Width of the opening
• Height of the opening
• Depth of the opening
• Width of the chimney breast
If the opening isn’t perfectly square, just take a few extra measurements. Measure the width at both the top and bottom of the opening and, if the height isn’t the same on both sides, measure each side as well.
If your opening isn’t perfectly regular, don’t worry. We just need an accurate set of measurements.
Since Grate Finds started in 2012, measurement issues have been extremely rare. On one occasion a customer accidentally transposed two measurements, which meant the fireplace was slightly too large for the opening. Once the opening had been re-measured, we simply exchanged it for another fireplace that fitted perfectly.
• Width of the opening
• Height of the opening
• Depth of the opening
• Width of the chimney breast
If the opening isn’t perfectly square, just take a few extra measurements. Measure the width at both the top and bottom of the opening and, if the height isn’t the same on both sides, measure each side as well.
If your opening isn’t perfectly regular, don’t worry. We just need an accurate set of measurements.
Since Grate Finds started in 2012, measurement issues have been extremely rare. On one occasion a customer accidentally transposed two measurements, which meant the fireplace was slightly too large for the opening. Once the opening had been re-measured, we simply exchanged it for another fireplace that fitted perfectly.
Don't forget the hearth!
The fireplace will also need a suitable hearth beneath it.
If there is already a hearth in place, measure its width and depth and check that it is level and large enough for the fireplace you are considering.
If a new hearth is needed, your installer can advise on the correct size and material for your chosen fireplace and how it will be used.
Remember to allow for the height of the hearth when measuring the chimney opening. A hearth is often around 2–6 cm thick, so this will reduce the usable height of the opening once it is installed.
If there is already a hearth in place, measure its width and depth and check that it is level and large enough for the fireplace you are considering.
If a new hearth is needed, your installer can advise on the correct size and material for your chosen fireplace and how it will be used.
Remember to allow for the height of the hearth when measuring the chimney opening. A hearth is often around 2–6 cm thick, so this will reduce the usable height of the opening once it is installed.
Which measurements matter most?
Every fireplace listing includes the Minimum Chimney Opening Required.
This is the figure to compare with the chimney opening you’ve measured.
We calculate this by measuring the maximum width, height and depth of the back of the fireplace — the part that fits into the chimney breast. Because the back isn’t a neat rectangular shape, we use its largest dimensions.
Once you know the fireplace will fit, the mantel width becomes the important measurement because that’s what determines how the fireplace will look on your chimney breast. The mantel shouldn’t be wider than the chimney breast.
Beyond that, there isn’t one right answer. Some people like the mantel almost the same width as the chimney breast. Others prefer considerably more wall showing on either side.
It’s really a question of what looks right in your room for you.
This is the figure to compare with the chimney opening you’ve measured.
We calculate this by measuring the maximum width, height and depth of the back of the fireplace — the part that fits into the chimney breast. Because the back isn’t a neat rectangular shape, we use its largest dimensions.
Once you know the fireplace will fit, the mantel width becomes the important measurement because that’s what determines how the fireplace will look on your chimney breast. The mantel shouldn’t be wider than the chimney breast.
Beyond that, there isn’t one right answer. Some people like the mantel almost the same width as the chimney breast. Others prefer considerably more wall showing on either side.
It’s really a question of what looks right in your room for you.
Using the measurement drawing
Every fireplace listing includes a detailed measurement drawing. The two measurements most customers use are Mantelpiece Width and Minimum Chimney Opening. Both are underlined in the product description to make them easy to find.
The Minimum Chimney Opening Required tells you whether the fireplace should fit your opening.
Once you’ve established that, the mantel width helps you judge how the fireplace will look on your chimney breast.
The remaining measurements are there to give you a better idea of the fireplace’s overall proportions.
If you’re finding it difficult to picture the finished fireplace, try marking its outline on the wall using the measurements from the drawing. Over the years, quite a few customers have done exactly that and it’s a surprisingly good way of judging the proportions before ordering.
The Minimum Chimney Opening Required tells you whether the fireplace should fit your opening.
Once you’ve established that, the mantel width helps you judge how the fireplace will look on your chimney breast.
The remaining measurements are there to give you a better idea of the fireplace’s overall proportions.
If you’re finding it difficult to picture the finished fireplace, try marking its outline on the wall using the measurements from the drawing. Over the years, quite a few customers have done exactly that and it’s a surprisingly good way of judging the proportions before ordering.
Need help checking the measurements?
Most customers simply compare their measurements with the fireplace listing and place their order online.
If you’d like us to check anything before you buy, the easiest way is to use the WhatsApp button on the product page for the fireplace you’re interested in. That tells us exactly which fireplace you’re asking about and keeps the photographs and measurements together in one conversation.
If you’d like us to check anything before you buy, the easiest way is to use the WhatsApp button on the product page for the fireplace you’re interested in. That tells us exactly which fireplace you’re asking about and keeps the photographs and measurements together in one conversation.
Browse our fireplaces
You can browse our current collection of restored fireplaces → and compare the measurements shown on each listing.