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Media wall fires and inset electric fires

An inset electric fire sits inside a recess, so only the glass and trim show. Long, slim inset fires are the usual choice for a media wall below the TV. Smaller inset fires are made to slot into a traditional fireplace opening on a chimney breast.

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Illustration of a pale media wall with a TV recess above a long three sided electric fire

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Media wall fire or inset fire for a fireplace?

Both are inset fires, but they are built for different holes in the wall.

  • Media wall fires are wide and shallow, often 40 to 70 inches across. They sit in a recess built into a stud frame, usually below a TV. Front facing models show glass at the front only; three sided models also have glass at the ends, so the recess has to be built around them.
  • Inset fires for fireplace openings are smaller and taller. The standard UK fireplace opening is 16 inches wide and 22 inches high, and many inset electric fires are made for it.

Measure the recess before you buy

Every inset fire comes with recess dimensions in its manual: width, height and depth, plus any gap needed for air flow. Build the recess to those figures, not to the outside size of the fire. If you are building a media wall from scratch, choose the fire first and then draw the wall around it. Our media wall fire buying guide walks through sizes, recess depth and TV position.

Power

Many inset fires can run from a plug and socket. Some are designed to be wired into a fused connection unit. Either way, plan where the socket or spur will go before the plasterboard goes up, and read installing a media wall fire safely for the Part P rules in England.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use a wall mounted fire in a media wall recess?

Only if the manufacturer says it can be recessed. A wall mounted fire is designed to have open air around it, and some push heat out of the top or sides. In a recess that heat has nowhere to go. Buy a fire sold as an inset or media wall fire and follow its recess dimensions.

What does three sided mean on a media wall fire?

A three sided fire has glass on the front and both ends, so you can see the flames from the side. It needs a recess that leaves the side glass visible, which suits media walls that stand proud of the main wall.

Will an inset electric fire fit my old fireplace?

Many inset electric fires are made for the standard UK opening of 16 inches wide by 22 inches high. Measure your opening, including its depth, and compare it with the fire's installation dimensions before you buy. Older or wider openings may need a different size or a filler panel.