Hate Your Dated Fireplace? Try This Simple DIY Fix

Love your fireplace but hate the outdated trim? There's an easy DIY fix for that. You can replace the fireplace trim with a modern version in a few quick steps, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck (and effort) home improvement projects you can take on over a weekend. Here's everything you need to know to get started.

What Is Fireplace Trim and How Is It Different From a Fireplace Surround?

First of all, it's important to understand which parts of the fireplace you can and can't remove easily. The fireplace trim is "a decorative piece that covers the gap between the fireplace and the firebox opening,” says Tyler Cooper, handyperson expert for the home warranty service American Home Shield. They're commonly found on gas-insert fireplaces. “They are used to give the fireplace a clean and finished look, while also helping enclose the firebox to prevent dust, debris and other particulates from entering the home.” It's relatively easy to take off and replace, and can give your fireplace an updated look and feel. Many outdated fireplace trims are brass and shiny, and don't fit into modern design aesthetics. Some connect to glass doors and screens to cover the fireplace.

A fireplace surround consists of the entire structure that surrounds the fireplace opening, including the mantel, legs, and header. While this can be replaced, it's quite an undertaking and a more advanced DIY project. The metal frame or trim around a fireplace is sometimes also called a metal fireplace surround, but a traditional surround is more substantial.

How to Remove a Metal Fireplace Trim

“Always consult with a professional before removing parts from your fireplace,” says Cooper. “If you do find yourself in a situation where you need to remove the trim, you will first need to assess the unit to see how it's attached to the fireplace insert. The way each trim is attached will vary depending on the manufacturer's make and model of the unit.” 

Tools and Materials

• Drop cloth
• Safety mask
• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop vacuum with HEPA filter
• Pliers or screwdriver (depends on how your metal trim is attached)

Step 1. Make sure the fireplace is cool.

Check that the fireplace is not in use and that it is completely cool before starting this project. If it’s warm, wait until it is room temperature. 

Step 2. Protect the floor and hearth.

“Be sure to cover the floor and/or hearth area with a drop cloth or tarp to help prevent spreading unwanted dirt and debris in the home,” says Cooper. “Having a shop vac handy will help keep the work area clean, as well as some damp rags for wiping down surfaces.” 

Step 3. Put on safety glasses, gloves, and a mask.

“Always use cut-resistant gloves, as the sheet metal on most trims has extremely sharp edges,” says Cooper. “Safety glasses and an N95 mask are also recommended to prevent ingestion of any harmful dirt, dust, or debris.”

Step 4. Unscrew or unclip the metal trim. 

“The way each surround attaches to the fireplace insert is specific to the manufacturers' make and model,” says Cooper. “Some have simple clips that hold the individual surround pieces to the fireplace insert (top, left side, right side), while some are built as one piece and installed as such. Other trims have hardware kits that include screws, nuts, and bolts to hold the pieces together as well as hold them to the unit.” 

After identifying how the trim is attached to the fireplace, unfasten it and lift it off the fireplace. If the metal trim has glass as part of it, “be careful when removing it so the glass does not fall out of the frame,” says Bob Schroeder, director of operations at Fireside Hearth & Home. “If it is leaned over, the glass could fall out easily.” Lay it carefully on the drop cloth. 

Step 5: Clean up the soot.

“There will be ash and soot (carbon/creosote) built up on the inner portion of the trim that will come loose when it is removed,” says Schroeder. “If you vacuum the ash and soot make sure you use a vacuum with a 'HEPA' or high micron, filter, so you do not spread the material in the room.”

Related: How to Build a Firewood Shed That Keeps Wood Dry and Ventilated

Picking a New Metal Trim for Your Fireplace

If you are replacing the metal fireplace trim, make sure to take detailed measurements before selecting a replacement. Also, decide if you want operable glass doors as part of the metal trim package. 

“Some trims can be ordered in custom, oversized dimensions for those special circumstances where the standard surrounding will not cover the entire opening,” says Cooper.