Hi,

I'm looking to update our brick fireplace but before I get started can anyone tell me about the venting of this unit and if any can be removed/covered? As you can see from the photo, there's a vent over the fireplace, I'm told this is to bring heat into the room, it doesn't, and there are vents on both sides of the base to, I believe, bring air into the wood burning chamber. I'm told someone in the area had a similar fireplace and their contractor tore down the brick and simply covered the vents with aluminum sheets before finishing the wall. The base was removed completely. They converted to gas so perhaps then it's doable. I was thinking of putting a linear gel burning unit in the firebox and not going the gas route.

Also, can someone confirm that I need wire lathe under a scratchcoat if I'm putting thin stone right over the brick? Someone I spoke with at a home center said just put the scatchcoat on, not wire, and then backbutter.

If anyone has any advice I'd appreciate it!

HRR