How do I update a dated 1980s brass-and-oak fireplace?
In Brevard, before you touch the brass door, look closely at it — this is 80-inch-rainfall country, and that 1980s frame is often pitted and rust-streaked, not just dated. Painting or replacing the brass and refreshing the honey-oak surround is straightforward, but Brevard's wet climate means the update should also include a look at the firebox and flue.
The moisture problem behind the dated look
Transylvania's wet season runs March through June and dumps more than 80 inches a year, which cracks chimney crowns, spalls brick, and rusts dampers and door frames. In downtown homes and the cabins alike, a brass door that looks tired is often corroding. While we swap or repaint it, we check the crown, damper, and liner so you're not putting a pretty face on a leaking chimney.
The cosmetic menu
The brass front paints matte black or gets replaced with a modern black or bronze door sized to your opening. The honey-oak surround takes paint, a current restain, or a full reface in tile or thin stone, with the mantel swapped for a clean shelf or reclaimed beam. Both are cosmetic; the firebox usually stays.
Fuel and permits
Much of Brevard runs on propane — Connestee Falls, Sherwood Forest, and the outlying cabins especially — so a gas conversion here means an LP setup with the right orifices and pressure. A sealed direct-vent insert also keeps damp chimney air out of the room. Gas work is licensed; we permit it with Transylvania County. We're 40 minutes southwest — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Brevard
We install and service fireplaces throughout Brevard and the rest of Transylvania County — just 40 minutes southwest from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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- Can I stain or paint my existing mantel to update it?
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- Can I replace just the doors or screen front to freshen up my fireplace?