August 20, 2026
Can You Completely Remodel an Old Fireplace? From Simple Makeovers to Full Fireplace Transformations
You walk into the living room and there it is.
That fireplace.
Maybe it’s covered in dated brick from the 1970s. Maybe it’s a builder-grade fireplace that never looked particularly good in the first place. Maybe the gas logs are ancient. Maybe the fireplace barely gets used.
And eventually, you start wondering:
“What can we actually do with this thing?”
Can you just change the stone?
Can you replace the fireplace itself?
Can you convert from wood to gas?
Can you remove everything and completely redesign the wall?
The answer might surprise you.
In many cases, an old fireplace can be completely transformed.
At Skyline Hearth & Fire, we work with homeowners throughout Roanoke, Lynchburg, Forest, Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, and surrounding Virginia communities who assume they’re stuck with the fireplace they already have.
Often, they’re not.
Let’s look at the different levels of fireplace remodeling and what may actually be possible in your home.
What Does “Fireplace Remodel” Actually Mean?
This is where a lot of homeowners get confused.
A fireplace remodel can mean anything from changing a mantel to tearing into the entire fireplace wall and starting over.
Those are obviously very different projects.
We generally think about fireplace transformations in several levels.
Level 1: Cosmetic Update
The fireplace itself stays, but its appearance changes.
Level 2: Fireplace Refacing
The surrounding brick, tile, stone, hearth, mantel, or other finish materials are replaced or covered with a new design.
Level 3: Fireplace Upgrade or Conversion
The actual fireplace system changes. That might mean adding an insert, replacing an outdated fireplace, or changing fuel types.
Level 4: Full Fireplace Transformation
Now we’re talking about opening the wall, removing the existing system when appropriate, changing framing, installing a new fireplace, adding proper venting, and completely redesigning the finished fireplace wall.
That last category is what we sometimes call a “cut-and-gut” fireplace remodel.
And those projects can completely change a room.
Option 1: Give the Existing Fireplace a Cosmetic Makeover
Sometimes the fireplace itself is fine.
You simply hate looking at it.
Maybe you have:
- Dated brick
- Old tile
- An outdated mantel
- A hearth that doesn’t fit the room anymore
- A fireplace surround that makes the entire room feel twenty or thirty years older
If the existing fireplace system works properly and you’re happy with its performance, you may not need to replace it.
New finish materials can dramatically change the appearance.
Depending on the fireplace and its required clearances, a remodel might incorporate materials such as stone, tile, brick, or other approved noncombustible finishes along with a new mantel or hearth design.
But there is an important distinction:
Changing how a fireplace looks does not change how the fireplace performs.
If the real problem is poor heat, an outdated appliance, unwanted odors, drafts, or a fireplace you simply don’t enjoy using, new stone isn’t going to solve that.
That’s when we need to go deeper.
Option 2: Reface the Fireplace
Fireplace refacing takes the cosmetic transformation further.
Instead of simply painting old brick or changing the mantel, the visible face of the fireplace can be redesigned.
This is where you can dramatically change the architectural style of the room.
A bulky traditional fireplace might become cleaner and more contemporary.
A plain builder-grade fireplace can become a floor-to-ceiling focal point.
An outdated surround can be replaced with stone or tile that actually fits the rest of the home.
For homeowners who like their existing fireplace but hate its appearance, refacing may be exactly what they need.
But again, we’re primarily changing the design, not necessarily the mechanical fireplace system behind it.
Option 3: Upgrade the Existing Fireplace With an Insert
What if you like the location of your existing masonry fireplace but don’t use it?
This is extremely common.
Homeowners tell us things like:
“We love having a fireplace. We just never build a fire.”
That’s where a fireplace insert may become an option.
Depending on the existing fireplace and chimney, you may be able to install a:
- Gas fireplace insert
- Wood-burning insert
- Pellet insert
- Electric insert
An insert allows you to use the existing fireplace opening while changing how you actually use the fireplace.
For example, a homeowner with an old wood-burning masonry fireplace may decide they want the convenience of gas.
Instead of hauling wood, building a fire, dealing with ash, and waiting for everything to cool down afterward, they can have a fireplace they operate with a control or remote.
For the right homeowner, that’s not just a visual upgrade.
It completely changes how often they use the fireplace.
Option 4: Replace an Outdated Factory-Built Fireplace
Here’s where things get more interesting.
Many homes throughout Virginia have factory-built fireplaces installed when the house was constructed.
After twenty or thirty years, homeowners may want something completely different.
Maybe the fireplace is outdated.
Maybe the flame presentation looks old.
Maybe it doesn’t provide the heat they want.
Maybe it’s a vent-free system and they want to move to direct vent.
Or maybe they’re remodeling the entire room and the old fireplace simply doesn’t belong in the new design.
Depending on the existing installation, replacing the fireplace itself may be possible.
But this isn’t the same thing as swapping out a refrigerator.
The fireplace is part of a system.
We have to consider:
- Framing
- Clearances
- Venting
- Gas or electrical requirements
- Fireplace dimensions
- Heat management
- Surround materials
- Mantel clearances
- Television placement
- Manufacturer installation requirements
That’s why we like to design the entire fireplace project together instead of selecting a fireplace first and trying to make everything else work around it afterward.
Option 5: The Full Cut-and-Gut Fireplace Remodel
This is where fireplace remodeling gets really fun.
Sometimes the best answer isn’t trying to make the old fireplace prettier.
It’s starting over.
A full fireplace transformation can involve opening the wall and evaluating what is actually behind the existing fireplace.
Depending on the project, that may include removing the old unit, modifying framing, changing the fireplace opening, installing new venting, installing a completely different fireplace, and rebuilding the finished wall around it.
That gives us the opportunity to rethink the whole thing.
Instead of asking:
“How do we make this old fireplace look a little better?”
We can ask:
“If we were designing this room today, what should this fireplace actually look like?”
That’s a very different question.
Can You Convert a Wood-Burning Fireplace to Gas?
In many situations, yes.
For homeowners with an existing masonry wood-burning fireplace, a properly selected gas insert may be one option.
Other projects may involve a more extensive remodel and a new gas fireplace system.
Which approach makes sense depends on what you currently have, the chimney or venting situation, the size of the opening, the desired appearance, and how you want the fireplace to perform.
The important thing is not to assume that because your fireplace burns wood today, it has to remain that way forever.
Can You Replace a Vent-Free Fireplace With Direct Vent?
This is another remodel we encounter.
Vent-free and direct vent fireplaces are fundamentally different systems.
A direct vent fireplace requires a way to bring combustion air from outdoors and exhaust combustion gases outdoors.
So converting from an existing vent-free fireplace to direct vent isn’t simply a matter of changing the log set.
It may require a new fireplace, new venting, framing modifications, and changes to the finished fireplace wall.
But when the house and installation allow it, the result can be a completely different fireplace experience.
Can You Change the Size or Shape of Your Fireplace?
Sometimes.
This is one of the reasons a full remodel creates possibilities homeowners often don’t realize they have.
You may currently have a small traditional fireplace but want something wider.
You might want a large linear fireplace.
You might want the fireplace raised off the floor.
You might want floor-to-ceiling stone.
You might want a cleaner, more modern design.
You might want to eliminate an oversized hearth.
Or you might want to redesign the entire fireplace wall around a television and built-ins.
Whether those ideas are possible depends on the structure of the home, the fireplace selected, venting, clearances, and other installation requirements.
But don’t assume the dimensions you have today are the dimensions you’re stuck with forever.
What About Putting a TV Above the Fireplace?
This deserves planning before the fireplace is installed.
Modern fireplace walls often incorporate televisions, but heat management matters.
The correct solution depends on the fireplace manufacturer, the specific model, mantel design, clearances, and available heat-management systems.
The mistake is designing the wall visually first and figuring out the heat afterward.
We prefer to design the fireplace, television location, mantel, finishing materials, and heat management as one system.
That’s how you get a finished wall that looks intentional instead of a collection of compromises.
Should You Remodel the Fireplace or Replace It?
Here’s a simple way to think about it.
If you love how your existing fireplace performs but hate how it looks, a cosmetic remodel or reface may make sense.
If you love the location but don’t enjoy using the fireplace, an insert or fireplace upgrade may make sense.
If the fireplace itself is outdated, damaged, or simply doesn’t provide the experience you want, replacement may be worth considering.
And if you dislike almost everything about the existing fireplace—the appliance, proportions, finishes, hearth, mantel, and wall design—a full fireplace transformation may ultimately make more sense than spending money trying to disguise something you still won’t love.
Don’t Design the Pretty Part First
This is probably the biggest piece of advice we can give someone planning a fireplace remodel.
Don’t start with:
“I found this stone on Pinterest.”
Start with the fireplace.
What do you want it to do?
Gas, wood, pellet, or electric?
How much heat do you want?
What type of flame experience do you want?
How will it vent?
Where will the television go?
What clearances are required?
What does the manufacturer allow around the fireplace?
Once those questions are answered, then we design the pretty part.
Because a fireplace isn’t just furniture.
It’s an appliance integrated into the architecture of your home.
What Does a Fireplace Remodel Cost?
Fireplace remodel pricing varies enormously because “fireplace remodel” can describe completely different projects.
A cosmetic update and a full cut-and-gut fireplace transformation aren’t remotely the same job.
We’ve created a separate guide specifically explaining fireplace remodel costs in Roanoke, Virginia, including the major factors that affect pricing.
READ NEXT: How Much Does a Fireplace Remodel Cost in Roanoke, VA?
Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplace Remodeling
Can an old fireplace really be completely remodeled?
In many cases, yes. Depending on the existing fireplace, chimney or venting, framing, and structure of the home, the project may range from a simple cosmetic update to replacement of the fireplace and reconstruction of the entire fireplace wall.
Can you remodel a fireplace without replacing it?
Absolutely. If the existing fireplace is safe, properly installed, and performs the way you want, you may only need to update the surround, hearth, mantel, or other finish materials.
Can you replace the actual fireplace during a remodel?
Depending on the existing installation, yes. Factory-built fireplaces and masonry fireplace systems require different approaches, so the existing system needs to be evaluated before determining the best replacement option.
Can you convert a wood fireplace to gas?
Many masonry wood-burning fireplaces can accept a properly sized gas insert. Other homes may be candidates for a more extensive gas fireplace conversion or remodel.
Can you convert a vent-free fireplace to direct vent?
Potentially, but it usually involves more than changing the appliance. A direct vent system requires appropriate venting to the outdoors, so the project may require a new fireplace, vent system, framing changes, and finish work.
Can you put stone or tile over an existing fireplace?
Often, but materials and installation must comply with the fireplace manufacturer’s clearance and finishing requirements. The existing surface and fireplace system should be evaluated before selecting materials.
Can I put a TV over my remodeled fireplace?
Often, yes, but it should be planned around the specific fireplace’s clearance and heat-management requirements rather than treated as an afterthought.
Your Old Fireplace May Have More Potential Than You Think
If you’ve been staring at an outdated fireplace thinking:
“I guess we’re just stuck with it.”
You may not be.
Sometimes a new mantel and surround are enough.
Sometimes an insert changes everything.
And sometimes the right answer is opening the wall and completely rethinking the fireplace from the inside out.
At Skyline Hearth & Fire, we help homeowners explore fireplace remodeling, fireplace replacement, inserts, conversions, and complete fireplace transformations throughout Roanoke, Lynchburg, Forest, Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta, and surrounding Virginia communities.
The first step isn’t choosing stone.
And it isn’t choosing the most expensive fireplace in the showroom.
The first step is figuring out what you have, what you want, and what’s actually possible.
If you’re ready to find out what your old fireplace could become, contact Skyline Hearth & Fire to start the conversation.
