A smoke guard is a critical component for many fireplaces. They’re designed to prevent smoke from rolling out of the firebox and into your home.
If your chimney isn’t drafting well, a smoke guard allows you to decrease the surface area of the opening of your fireplace. This balances the ratio of the opening of the fireplace to the size and length of the flue to ensure a proper chimney draft, all without needing to do any masonry work.
As helpful as they are, though, installing a smoke guard can be a little confusing. We know because at HY-C, we manufacture smoke guards. We know they can be tricky — and that’s why we want to show you exactly how to install one.
In this guide, we’re going to outline how to install a smoke guard in just 8 easy steps. So follow along as we go, and by the time you’re finished here, your smoke guard will be set up and ready to keep fireplace smoke out of your home.
How to Install a Smoke Guard
Step 1: Take an Inventory
Before you get started with your install, be sure that you have all the parts and pieces that come with your smoke guard kit. For our Liberty Foundry Co. Smoke Guards, this includes:
- The smoke guard housing (with 2 adjustable end pieces and 1 center section)
- Two 12” tubes (¾” in diameter)
- One ¾” coupler
- One 27” tube (½” in diameter)
- One ½” coupler
- One spring
- One strip of insulation
- One tube of silicone sealant
Once all of your pieces are present and accounted for, make sure you have the following tools handy to complete the install:
- A tape measure
- A pair of scissors
- A Phillips head screwdriver
Step 2: Measure Your Fireplace Opening
Smoke guards can cover a wide range of firebox opening widths. Our Liberty Foundry Co. Smoke Guards can be installed on fireplaces between 28-½” and 48” wide.
Be sure to measure your fireplace opening to ensure your smoke guard is within the proper range of coverage.
Once you’re sure the smoke guard will fit, lay it flat inside the fireplace opening. Slide the two adjustable end pieces away from the center section, expanding the smoke guard so each end piece touches the left and right side of the fireplace opening.
Step 3: Assemble and Connect the ¾” Pipes
Next, grab the ¾” coupler. Insert both 12” pipes (¾” in diameter) into the ¾” coupler. Ensure that each pipe is seated fully inside the coupler, and tighten them into place with a Phillips head screwdriver.
Now, find the tab on the right side of the smoke guard. The tab is punched out and bent inward toward the center of the smoke guard at a 90-degree angle.
Slide one of the now joined 12” pipes into the tab, ensuring that the coupler and the other pipe lay flat inside the body of the smoke guard.
Step 5: Assemble and Connect the 27” Pipe and Spring
Now, grab the 27” pipe, the ½” coupler, and the spring. Slide the coupler and the spring onto the 27” pipe. Do not tighten the coupler into place yet.
Next, slide the ½” pipe into the ¾” pipe. Ensure that the ½” coupler is on the left end (with the spring to its right).
Now, slide the leftmost end of the 27” rod into the tab on the left side of the smoke guard. At this point, all three rods, both couplers, and the spring should be firmly affixed inside the smoke guard as a single, cohesive unit.
Step 6: Add Tension to the Smoke Guard
Now, we’re going to add the spring-based tension that holds the smoke guard in place at the top of the firebox.
Grab hold of the ½” coupler on the left side of the smoke guard, and push it to the right as far as you comfortably can. The spring will compress. Be sure to hold this compression in place, all while ensuring that the left end of the pipe is still inserted into the tab and flush with the edge of the smoke guard.
With the spring now under tension, tighten both of the bolts protruding from the coupler.
Finally, remove the smoke guard from the bottom of the fireplace. Push both ends toward the center, compressing it a couple of inches against the spring’s tension.
With the bar-and-spring assembly facing inward toward the firebox, slide the smoke guard against the top of the fireplace opening. Release the pressure from both ends of the smoke guard, allowing the spring to expand the ends, locking it into place.
Your smoke guard should now be inserted snugly against the top of your fireplace opening! The installation isn’t quite complete yet, though.
Step 7: Add the Insulation Strip and Sealant
Remove the smoke guard from the fireplace opening and set it down with the bar-and-spring assembly facing upward toward you. Grab the strip of insulation, and slide it over the spring. This will help to ensure the spring maintains its pliability as it undergoes heating and cooling cycles.
Next, grab the provided tube of silicone sealant. Add a thick bead of silicone across the top of the smoke guard. Be sure to leave about a half inch of space at either end of the smoke guard uncovered by the silicone. Also, make sure you distribute the silicone sealant evenly.
Step 8: Complete Your Installation
With the insulation strip and bead of silicone in place, compress the smoke guard, pushing both ends inward toward the center (similarly to what you did at the end of step 6). Slide the smoke guard into place, allowing the top row of brick to contact and compress the bead of silicone.
Now, simply release the pressure on both ends of the smoke guard, allowing the spring tension to hold it in place.
Congratulations! Your smoke guard installation is complete.
Be sure not to light a fire in your fireplace for at least 24 hours to allow the silicone sealant time to harden.
Choosing Firewood to Burn
With your smoke guard now installed, you can use your fireplace in comfort, knowing that you’ll be protected against smoke rolling back into your home.
But what is the best firewood to burn in your fireplace, anyway?
Our firewood guide covers ten different species, from oak to sycamore. It considers how much smoke each species puts out, how much heat each species provides, and more information to help you burn better. Be sure to check it out to make the most out of your fireplace.
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