News

18 May 2026

Thinking About a Fireplace? Here’s How to Plan the Process

Est. 1990 · Australia If you’ve been thinking about adding a wood or gas fireplace to your home, a little planning upfront goes a long way. A fireplace is a long-term addition to a home, and getting the right model, the right flue configuration, and the right installer takes a little more coordination than most people expect. Here’s how to approach it. Start With a Dealer Visit The most useful first step is visiting a specialist dealer in person. Not to buy, just to look. A good Lopi dealer will show you the range burning, ask questions about your home, and give you an honest picture of what’s involved. This conversation shapes everything that follows: the model recommendation, the installation approach, the flue configuration, and the hearth requirements. Getting this right from the start makes the rest of the process much smoother.

Match the Fireplace to Your Home

The right fireplace for your home depends on more than which model you like the look of. The size and layout of your room, ceiling heights, existing flue or chimney, insulation, gas supply (for gas models), and how you plan to use the space all factor in.

Lopi’s range covers every scenario, wood and gas, freestanding and inbuilt, traditional and contemporary. Your specialist dealer will help you match the right product to your specific situation.

Plan Your Flue and Hearth Early

For inbuilt wood and zero clearance gas fireplaces, planning the flue routing and hearth construction early — ideally before building work begins — gives you the most flexibility and the best finished result. An inbuilt fireplace retrofitted into a completed home is more complex and costly than one planned from the start.

If you’re building or undertaking a major renovation, talk to your Lopi dealer before your builder begins framing. They can advise on cavity dimensions, flue penetration, and hearth requirements so the builder can work to exact specifications.

Understand the Lead Times

Quality fireplaces like the Lopi range aren’t off-the-shelf products available for immediate delivery. Placing your order with your preferred installation timeline in mind allows everything to arrive when needed, without any pressure.

Your dealer will give you current lead time estimates and help you work backward from your target date.

Book a Professional Installation

All Lopi fireplaces must be installed by a licensed professional in accordance with Australian standards. Your dealer will either carry out the installation directly or recommend a trusted local installer.

The best installations happen calmly, with time for the builder, the installer, and the finisher to do their work properly. Starting the process early is the most reliable way to achieve that.

If you’re considering a Lopi fireplace for your home, the single most useful thing you can do today is visit your nearest specialist dealer and have a conversation. No commitment required — just a chance to see the range burning and get proper advice. Find your nearest Lopi specialist dealer at: lopi.com.au/find-a-store