The refractory panels lining your firebox take the full heat of every fire, and over time they crack, crumble, and pull away from the walls. Patching deep cracks is a short-term fix at best. We remove worn panels and install new refractory panels sized to your firebox, restoring the heat barrier that protects the structure around your fireplace.
What is included
- Inspection of all firebox panels and the surrounding firebox structure
- Removal of cracked, spalling, or loose refractory panels
- Measurement and fitting of new panels matched to your firebox
- Installation of back, side, and floor panels as needed
- Sealing of panel joints with heat-rated refractory material
- Cleanup and a walkthrough of the finished firebox before we leave
Signs you might need this
- Cracks in the firebox panels wider than the edge of a coin
- Panels that are crumbling, flaking, or shedding gritty dust into the firebox
- Gaps where panels have pulled away from the firebox walls or each other
- Previous patch repairs that keep reopening or falling out
- A panel that shifts, rattles, or sounds hollow when tapped
Frequently asked questions
Why replace panels instead of patching the cracks?
Patching can work for hairline surface cracks, but once a panel has deep or spreading cracks, patches tend to fail under repeated heating and cooling. Replacement gives you a solid, continuous heat barrier instead of a repair that needs redoing.
Can I use my fireplace with a cracked panel?
We recommend holding off. Cracked or gapped panels can let heat reach the framing and masonry behind the firebox, which is a fire hazard. Have the panels inspected first, and replace any that are compromised before lighting another fire.
Do all the panels need to be replaced at once?
Not always. We assess each panel individually and only replace the ones that are damaged. That said, if several panels show similar wear, replacing them together often makes sense so the firebox is uniformly protected.
