Can I change the shape of my fireplace opening, like making it arched?
Yes, but how far you can go depends on the firebox behind the opening. On a masonry fireplace you have real freedom — an arched, squared, or resized opening is a mason-and-surround job. On a prefab or gas unit, the opening is fixed by the appliance, so an arch has to be created in the surround around it, not the firebox itself.
The firebox decides your freedom
'Changing the shape of the opening' means two very different jobs depending on your fireplace. A true masonry fireplace is built of brick and block, so the opening can be genuinely rebuilt — arched, made taller, squared off.
A factory-built (prefab/zero-clearance) firebox or a gas appliance, on the other hand, is a sealed steel unit with a fixed opening you can't cut into. Knowing which you have is the first thing we determine, because it changes the whole conversation.
Reshaping a masonry opening
On masonry, an arched opening is a beautiful, classic move — and it's real construction. Our mason partners handle the stonework and structural side (there's a lintel and load path to respect above any opening), and Steady Flame handles everything that makes fire and heat: the firebox, any gas line, venting, permit, and inspection.
Reshaping the opening usually happens alongside a full reface, since you're rebuilding the surround anyway. It's a bigger project than a cosmetic refresh, but the payoff is a one-of-a-kind focal point.
Faking the arch on a prefab or gas unit
If you've got a prefab or gas fireplace, you don't reshape the firebox — you build the shape you want into the surround around it. A framed-and-finished arch, in tile or plaster, can frame a rectangular firebox and read as a true arched opening from the room.
It's a great way to get a Mediterranean or traditional look without touching the appliance. If your plan also involves swapping or adding the fireplace itself, we coordinate the framing so the surround shape and the unit fit together. Call (828) 545-0525 to talk it through, or visit the Asheville showroom.
How we can help
Related questions
- Can I make my fireplace opening bigger or smaller?
- How do I get a traditional classic fireplace look with an ornate mantel?
- What is fireplace refacing and what does it involve?
- How do I make a 1970s floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace look modern?
- Can you reface a prefab builder-grade fireplace, or only masonry ones?
- What are the best materials for a fireplace surround?
Still deciding? Talk to a real installer.
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