Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - Replacing wood burning fireplace with electric

I have a masonry wood burning fireplace with a chimney, and want to replace it with an electric fireplace. Is there a smarter solution than buying one of those fireplaces conceived for installation in any room, and install it in front of the hearth?

As the wall where the fireplace is, along with a large step in front of it, is totaly covered in small red bricks, I also consider covering it with drywall, so it better blends with an electric fireplace and wood mantel. Any advise?

Thanks,

Olivier

Hey Olivier,

You could also use mortor, and flagstone to cover it, but you need to check your foundation, also, I have put together a $800 quick fix by making a granite fireplace surround.. you can check it out on my site..
The Cast Fireplace Zone (http://www.castfireplace.org)

Any questions if you want to go forward with the mortor and flagstone.. let me know.. there is a picture of our fireplace done with flagstone on the site.
~Cheers

Thanks for the offer, but I dont see flagstone or granite around an electric fireplace.

I'm still looking for advise for the fireplace itself, if there are electric inserts which can fit inside the existing hearth rather than placing a new mantel outside of it.


Olivier