Faceplates and Trim Kits for Wood Inserts: How to Choose and Measure

When you put a wood insert into an existing fireplace, there's almost always a gap. The insert is a box, the fireplace opening is bigger than the box, and the difference is a ragged margin of old brick and dark space around the edges. A faceplate, sometimes called a surround or trim, covers that gap. It's the flat panel that frames the insert and makes the whole thing look like it was meant to be there instead of stuffed into a hole.

It's mostly a finishing piece, not a performance one. But it's not optional in the way it sounds, because without it you're looking at the rough fireplace opening and, depending on the install, an air gap that shouldn't be left open.

Cut-to-fit versus fixed size

There are two approaches, and which one you need depends on how predictable your fireplace opening is.

A cut-to-fit faceplate comes oversized, in lighter-gauge steel, and you trim it down to match your opening. This is the one to get when your fireplace is an odd size or out of square, which masonry fireplaces often are. The tradeoff is you're doing the cutting, so it takes a little more work and a steady hand with the right tool. We carry a 32 by 50 inch cuttable faceplate in 18 gauge for exactly this situation.

A fixed-size faceplate with a trim kit comes ready to mount and looks more finished, often with a nickel or black trim edge that frames it cleanly. This is the better pick when your opening is a standard size the panel already matches, or when the insert is designed to pair with a specific surround. We stock these in a couple of sizes, like a 29 by 44 inch and a larger 32 by 50 inch, both with nickel trim.

Measure before you order

This is where faceplate orders go wrong. Measure the actual fireplace opening, height and width, and have your insert model number handy. The faceplate has to be larger than the opening so it overlaps and covers the edges, but not so large it runs past the usable wall around the fireplace. With a fixed-size panel, if your opening is bigger than the panel, it won't cover, and you're stuck. With a cuttable one you have more room for error since you're trimming to fit.

If you're matching a faceplate to a specific Drolet insert, the model determines what fits. Send us the insert model and your opening dimensions and we'll tell you which faceplate works before you buy, because returns on the fixed-size panels are a hassle nobody enjoys.

Common questions

Do I need a faceplate for my insert? If the insert sits inside a larger fireplace opening, almost certainly yes, to cover the gap and finish the look. Some inserts come with a surround included, so check what's in the box first.

What's the difference between a faceplate, a surround, and a trim kit? They're mostly the same idea with different names. The faceplate or surround is the flat panel covering the gap. A trim kit is the edge framing, sometimes sold with the panel, sometimes the finishing strip that cleans up the outer edge. In practice you're buying the panel that fits your opening, whatever it's called.

Can I cut a faceplate myself? The cuttable ones, yes, that's what they're for. They're lighter gauge so a jigsaw or angle grinder with a metal blade handles it. The fixed-size trim kits are not meant to be cut, so size those carefully.

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StoveSource Team

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