Do I need a chimney inspection before installing an insert?
Yes — an Arden insert starts with a chimney inspection, and most of the time it's a drafty open fireplace we're inspecting. Royal Pines and Skyland's 1980s-90s homes came with open masonry fireboxes that pull heat straight out of the room. A sealed insert fixes that — but only after we scope the flue and confirm we can size a liner to it.
Turning a heat-loser into a real heater
An open masonry fireplace can actually run a net heat loss, sending your warm room air up the chimney all evening. A sealed insert with a properly sized liner commonly runs 70% efficient or better — a genuine upgrade, not a cosmetic one. But that only works if the existing flue can carry the liner, which is what the camera scope confirms: the size and condition of the tile, cracks, and any buildup after decades of use. On these Skyland and Royal Pines chimneys, that's usually a quick, clean answer — but we look before we promise.
Fifteen minutes south, Buncombe permit
Natural gas runs along the Hendersonville Road corridor here, so a sealed gas insert is the usual choice, and Biltmore Park's commercial spaces ask for them too. Once the flue checks out, we pull the Buncombe County permit and meet the inspector. Arden is 15 minutes south of the Emma Road showroom, so scheduling stays easy. Call (828) 545-0525 for a free assessment.
Fireplace help in Arden
We install and service fireplaces throughout Arden and the rest of Buncombe County — just 15 minutes south from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
- My chimney is damaged — can I still install a gas insert?
- Does a wood-burning insert require a full stainless steel liner to the top of the chimney?
- Can a gas insert be installed in my existing masonry fireplace?
- Does a gas fireplace insert need a chimney liner?
- How do you measure a fireplace to know if an insert will fit?