Burning wood for heat is a special way to warm a home. Households lucky enough benefit from wood fireplaces enjoy tremendous peace of mind, security and comfort in uncertain times. No outside force has any impact on your home’s warmth! Folks love that wood heat is dictated by their own efforts.
Wood heat is a popular option here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. At The Stove Shop, we have installed many zero-clearance fireplaces and love the ambiance and warmth provided by an EPA certified wood fireplace. Wood burning fireplaces are a gorgeous addition to any home providing a flush fireplace with the beauty of sustainable heat. A zero-clearance wood fireplace is great way for homeowners to add a wood fireplace to their home even if it wasn’t initially included in the construction.
Zero-clearance wood fireplace installations cost on average $7,000 – $14,000 depending on unit selection, venting run and labor required in 2025.
What is a Zero-Clearance Wood Fireplace?
A zero-clearance wood fireplace is a metal box that you can install into a combustible wall if your home was built without a traditional fireplace. It’s designed to require minimal clearance from combustible materials like walls or framing, making it ideal for homes constructed without an existing masonry fireplace. These units often feature large viewing windows, expansive fireboxes for longer burn times, and advanced designs that maximize heat output and safety.
Is a zero-clearance wood fireplace the right option for you?
Install a zero-clearance wood fireplace if you want to burn wood and your home doesn’t have a masonry fireplace for a wood fireplace insert. Zero-clearance wood fireplaces have large viewing areas with impressive fireboxes to fit large amounts of wood for long burn times. If you want a wood fireplace with a door, this is your best option. Zero-clearance wood fireplaces are a popular option for home remodels and new construction projects due to their scope.
Wood stove or zero-clearance fireplace? Wood stoves are also a viable choice if you do not have a masonry wood burning fireplace. Depending on design goals, you might value a flush fireplace as opposed to a wood stove sitting out in the room taking up additional space. Wood stove installations are less permanent and therefore tend to take a bit less time due to the way they are placed and vented.
Cost Breakdown
Installing a zero-clearance wood fireplace involves three primary cost factors:
- The Unit
The fireplace itself is the foundation of your investment. Units typically range from $3,000 to $6,000, depending on size, efficiency, and design features. The major factor in price is quality of unit being purchased. Features like larger fireboxes, thicker steel and unique design options will impact your cost. - Venting System
Proper venting is crucial for safety and performance. Zero-clearance units use UL-listed Class A chimney systems, which typically cost $1,500 to $4,000, depending on the vent configuration and home height. The major factor in price is how many stories is your home? - Installation and Labor
Professional installation ensures compliance with NFPA 211 standards and local codes. Working with an authorized dealer who has a good track record of quality installation and service should be your focus. Labor costs, including framing, insulation, and chimney assembly, usually range from $2,000 to $4,000. The dealer you choose is crucial, take your time and get a variety of opinions. We recommend looking at dealers that have taken the time to pursue accreditation from the National Fireplace Institute.
Total Estimated Cost of a Zero-Clearance Wood Fireplace Installation
A full zero-clearance wood fireplace installation, including unit, venting, and labor, typically costs between $7,000 and $14,000. Unique architectural challenges, custom mantels, or stone surrounds may increase costs further. The cost on average is largely determined by how much labor is required. The ideal zero-clearance wood fireplace customer has a space ready for construction with a committed general contractor capable of working with the fireplace installation company to complete the job efficiently.
What is a Wood Burning Fireplace Insert?
Wood burning fireplace inserts are the alternative to zero-clearance wood fireplaces. We install wood fireplace inserts for folks who already have a masonry fireplace and want to efficiently burn wood.
A wood-burning fireplace insert is a heater that slides into your old masonry fireplace. Inserts are as close to flush with the existing mantle as it gets unless you are installing a zero-clearance wood burning fireplace. Inserts burn wood behind a glass door and keep more heat in your home instead of letting it escape up the chimney. Most inserts have fans that blow warm air into the room, and they burn wood more cleanly, so you get more heat with less smoke. They’re great for heating one room or even the whole house if placed correctly.
To install a wood burning fireplace insert, we run a flexible stainless steel liner up your chimney to safely vent the smoke. Then we seal the insert in with a trim panel for a clean look. With the right setup, a wood insert turns an old fireplace into a powerful, efficient heater. Wood inserts are a great option for folks with existing masonry fireplaces that want to increase their heating efficiency by over 50%. Turn off your electric or oil heat and warm where you live by zone heating with a wood fireplace insert.
What Does a New Wood Fireplace Insert Installation Cost?
The average cost of a wood burning insert with the venting and labor is about $6,800 – $9,200. A traditional wood fireplace is not the best option for your home if you already have a masonry fireplace. A pre-existing fireplace built with stone can burn beautiful open wood fires. Oftentimes, these open masonry fireplaces are inefficient, sucking all of the heat up the chimney away from your toes. Wood fireplace inserts are the perfect solution for homeowners with masonry fireplaces. You want to burn wood and keep the heat inside? Wood fireplace inserts are the best option! At this point, you might want to know about our favorite wood fireplace insert, Check out our favorite wood burning fireplace insert here.
Wood fireplace insert installation price largely depends on the condition of your existing chimney flue, height of chimney, choice of fireplace insert model. The chimney condition should be your number one concern when installing a new fireplace insert. Get a Level 2 inspection from a Chimney Sweep Institute of America (CSIA) to determine viable next steps. It is always a good idea to get a report with actual images of the inside of your chimney before making any further investments in your flue.
Wood fireplace inserts installations cost a bit more than gas fireplace insert installations, but a bit less than the zero-clearance wood fireplaces discussed in this post. Compare to a gas fireplace insert’s average cost of $6,200 – $7,800. Buying a wood fireplace insert is the perfect way to increase your home’s energy efficiency and still get a beautiful wood fire. The only difference of a wood fireplace insert to an open masonry fireplace is the glass between you and the flames.
Why should you replace your existing masonry fireplace with a wood insert?
Replacing a traditional masonry fireplace with a wood-burning insert gives you real heat. Open fireplaces lose up to 90% of their heat up the chimney, and often pull warm air from your home with it. A wood insert traps that heat behind a sealed door and sends it into the room—some can heat 1,000–2,000 square feet easily. You burn less wood, get more heat, and save money.
Inserts are also cleaner. They produce less smoke, less creosote, and meet EPA standards for emissions. They’re safer too, with better control over airflow and burn rate. With a stainless liner, the chimney draft improves, and the risk of chimney fire drops. You keep the look of a fireplace but gain the power of a wood stove.
What else to consider when getting a new wood fireplace?
- Permits and Inspections: Expect to pay $200 to $500 for necessary permits and inspections.
- Upgrades: Decorative surrounds, advanced heat distribution systems, and catalytic combustion options can enhance functionality and style but will add to your budget.
- Maintenance: Annual cleaning and inspection of the chimney and fireplace are essential for safety and efficiency. Get your chimney swept for every two cords of wood or yearly (whichever comes first).
Learn more about wood burning from our Fireplace Experts Blog:
- Our Favorite Cast Iron Wood Stove in 2025
- What Makes a Vermont Castings Wood Stove So Special?
- How Many Pieces of Stove Wood are in a Cord of Firewood?
- How to Best Store Firewood for Winter?
- Where to Buy Firewood for my Wood Stove in Chester County, PA?
- How to Start a Wood Stove Fire: Firewood Burning Guide
- Cord Wood Versus Crib Wood | EPA Wood Stove Testing
- How to Replace Rope Gasket on Your Wood Stove?
The value of wood heat
A zero-clearance wood burning fireplace offers more than just warmth; it provides a beautiful focal point, backup heat during power outages, and an eco-friendly way to reduce heating costs. Properly installed and maintained, it can be a lasting investment, bringing comfort and reliability to your home for decades.
A wood fireplace insert increases the value of your home and improves the longevity of your existing fireplace. It makes a once functionally useless space a beneficial focal point in your home. The added value in savings and home price makes a wood fireplace insert the perfect investment regardless of your goals. If you love to burn wood and have a masonry fireplace, seriously consider a wood burning fireplace insert!
Updated wood fireplaces are a good investment
Homes purchased today often feature the wood burning fireplace as the first feature. Check out local listings for yourself to see the added value of a wood burning fireplace. Wood fireplaces are a desirable feature for many home buyers and add meaningful value to your home. All that to say, buying a wood fireplace is more than just a way to keep your family warm, it is an investment in your future.
At The Stove Shop Fireplace Experts in Phoenixville, PA our goal is to help you stay warm and save money. It is not our goal to sell you on our services here, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to help!
