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Superior Ventless Paneled Firebox

Superior VRT4550 50" Ventless Paneled Firebox

by Superior
SKU VRT4550WS
Superior authorized dealer
$4,089.00 - $4,189.00
$4,089.00
$4,089.00 - $4,189.00
$4,089.00

Free Shipping over $299
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Superior VRT4550 50" Ventless Paneled Firebox

The Superior VRT4550 is the 50" model in Superior's VRT4500 Custom Series of vent-free fireboxes, built for large rooms: a 30" tall, full-width opening lined with white refractory panels that run to the front edge, an insulated body, mesh fire screens and a black hood. Choose white stacked (VRT4550WS) or white herringbone (VRT4550WH) panels in the options above. It is the enclosure only. The fire comes from a vent-free gas log set and burner that you order separately, and with no chimney or vent pipe, the heat stays in the room.

The firebox takes a vent-free log set listed to ANSI Z21.11.2, rated no more than 40,000 Btu/hr, that fits inside it. Superior's Double-Flame (18" and 24"), Triple-Flame (18", 24" and 30"), Nature-Flame (18", 24" and 30") and Mega-Flame (24", 30" and 36") logs fit; they and their burners are listed below. Barometric dampers come installed on both sides for Superior's AK4 outside air kits, and Superior recommends one on each side for the best performance.

The VRT4500 also comes in 36" and 42" (VRT4536, VRT4542). With any Superior log set listed here it can't go in a bedroom or bathroom, and the room has to be large enough or ventilated for the log set you choose; see Installation Requirements.

Key Features

  • 50" wide, 30" tall opening; inside, 50" wide at the front, 34-3/8" at the back and 21-3/4" deep
  • Fully insulated firebox for colder climates
  • Vent-free: no chimney or vent pipe
  • Takes ANSI Z21.11.2 vent-free log sets up to 40,000 Btu/hr, ordered separately
  • White refractory panels in a stacked or herringbone pattern, running to the front edge
  • Black hood and mesh fire screens included
  • Textured powder coat finish
  • Gas line knockouts on both sides
  • Barometric dampers on both sides for left- and right-hand outside air kits
  • Builds in flush with the wall, or stands against a wall inside a cabinet mantel
  • Listed to ANSI Z21.91 as a ventless firebox enclosure
  • 20 year limited warranty on the firebox

What's Included

  • Firebox with white stacked or white herringbone refractory panels, as ordered (the floor panel comes in place; the side and rear panels go in on site)
  • Black hood, required in every installation
  • Mesh fire screens and rods
  • Installation and operation manual

What to Order With It

Required – Vent-free logs, ordered separately (pick one set):

Required – Burner for the logs (pick one: Double-Flame logs take the VD1824 burner; Triple-Flame and Nature-Flame 18" logs take the 18" burner, and 24" and 30" logs the 24" burner; Mega-Flame 24" and 30" logs take the MNF24 burner and 36" logs the MNF30 burner):

Optional – Outside air kits (Superior recommends one on each side):

Specifications

Model VRT4550WS (white stacked) or VRT4550WH (white herringbone)
Order number F0281 (VRT4550WS), F0282 (VRT4550WH)
Type Vent-free firebox (ventless firebox enclosure) for a decorative vent-free gas log set
Heat input Set by the log set; 40,000 Btu/hr maximum
Opening 50" W x 30" H
Inside the firebox 50" wide at the front, 34-3/8" at the back, 21-3/4" deep, 30" high
Outside size 59-1/4" W x 54-3/4" H x 32-3/8" D
Framed opening 59-3/4" W x 55" H x 30-1/8" D
Liner White refractory panels, stacked or herringbone, on the back, sides and floor
Hood Black, included and required
Screen Mesh fire screens
Finish Textured powder coat
Insulation Fully insulated firebox
Outside air Barometric dampers on both sides; optional AK4, AK4X or AK4F kits
Blower None
Power None needed
Gas line 1/2" black iron pipe, through the left or right side
Venting None (vent-free); the room must supply enough combustion air
Listing ANSI Z21.91 ventless firebox enclosure, for ANSI Z21.11.2 decorative vent-free log sets
Approved locations Not bedrooms or bathrooms unless the log set is 10,000 Btu/hr or less; not recreational vehicles; permanently located manufactured homes where local codes allow
Warranty 20 year limited (see Warranty below)

The firebox doesn't make heat on its own. The Btu rating, ignition and remote all come from the log set and burner you choose, and the room size rules under Installation Requirements depend on that input.

Dimensions and Framing

Firebox dimensions

Opening width 50"
Opening height 30"
Overall width 59-1/4"
Overall height 54-3/4"
Width at the back 38-3/8"
Depth, including the face 32-3/8"
Base to the bottom of the opening 7-7/8"

Inside the firebox (for sizing logs)

Front width 50"
Rear width 34-3/8"
Depth 21-3/4"
Height 30"

Framing

Opening width 59-3/4"
Opening height 55"
Depth to the finished back wall of the chase 30-1/8"
Corner installation, across the front from wall to wall 100"
Corner installation, along each wall from the corner 71"

Measure the framed depth to the finished surface of the back wall, so allow for drywall or other finish. Frame with 2x4 or heavier lumber and fasten the firebox to the studs through its nailing flanges. Framing can rest against the spacers but can't be notched, the spacers can't be cut or bent, and the space around the firebox can't be filled with insulation. In a corner, keep 1-1/2" between the framing and the sides and back of the firebox (not needed at the nailing flanges).

Installation Requirements

  • Room air: a vent-free log set uses the air in the room. The space must hold at least 50 cubic feet for every 1,000 Btu/hr of all the gas appliances in it, counting adjoining rooms without doors. A 40,000 Btu/hr log set alone needs 2,000 cubic feet. A smaller space needs ventilation openings to another room or to the outdoors, as set out in NFPA 54 and the log set's manual.
  • Bedrooms and bathrooms: the firebox can't be installed in a bedroom or bathroom unless the log set is rated 10,000 Btu/hr or less, and every Superior set listed here is larger. It can't go in a recreational vehicle. It can go in a permanently located manufactured home where local codes allow.
  • Log set: use only a vent-free log set listed to ANSI Z21.11.2, rated no more than 40,000 Btu/hr, that fits the firebox. Don't burn wood, and don't add extra logs or ornaments such as pine cones, vermiculite or rockwool embers.
  • Hood: the supplied hood must be in place whenever the fire is on, and the mantel clearances are measured from it. Don't modify it or swap in a hood that comes with a log set.
  • Side walls and ceiling: keep a side wall at least 16" from the side of the firebox and the ceiling at least 42" above the top of the opening. A combustible mantel leg, bookshelf or other projection beside the firebox needs about 1" from the side of the firebox for every 7/8" it sticks out (3-1/2" out needs 4"; the chart is in the manual).
  • Mantel: measured from the top of the hood opening to the underside of the shelf, a combustible mantel up to 1-1/2" deep can be 12" up, one 6-3/4" deep 16" up and one 12" deep 20" up. The wall board above the firebox can be combustible, and non-combustible material can stick out from the wall above the hood.
  • Front: keep curtains, furniture and other flammable objects at least 36" from the front and 42" from the top of the firebox.
  • Facing: drywall, plywood and other combustible board can butt against the sides and top of the firebox but must never overlap the front face. Brick, tile and other non-combustible materials can overlap the face, set with non-combustible mortar or adhesive, as long as they don't cover any openings.
  • Floor: the firebox can sit directly on the floor. On carpet, non-ceramic tile or any combustible floor other than wood, put a metal or wood panel under its full width and depth. It must be level, or the log set won't burn properly.
  • Gas: use 1/2" black iron pipe only, through the gas line access on either side. Knock out the opening in the side refractory, repack the conduit insulation around the pipe and seal the gap with refractory or furnace cement.
  • Outside air: the kits connect to the dampers on either side. The AK4 and AK4X run through a side wall, the AK4F through the floor. Superior recommends two for the best performance, and they help limit condensation in tightly built homes.
  • Refractory: set the side and rear panels after the firebox is in its final place. They are heavy, so lift them with help.
  • Moisture and walls: vent-free log sets add moisture to the air, and a room without enough ventilation can grow mildew. The warm air rising off the firebox can discolor nearby walls, especially vinyl or cloth coverings or where there is smoke, candles or cleaning fluids in the air.
  • Drafts: don't let fans, including ceiling fans, blow into the firebox; drafts change the flame and can cause soot.
  • Altitude: above 4,500 feet, the log set's pilot may go out.
  • Massachusetts: installation and repair must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, following 527 CMR 30. The flexible gas connector can't be longer than 36", the shutoff must be a T-handle valve, the firebox can't go in a bedroom or bathroom, and a working smoke detector is required in the area where it is installed.
  • Installation: must be installed by a qualified service person following the installation manual, the log set's manual and local codes (NFPA 54 where there are none).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it come with logs?
No. Order a vent-free log set and a matching burner, both listed above: Double-Flame logs take the VD1824 burner; Triple-Flame and Nature-Flame 18" logs take the 18" burner, and 24" and 30" logs the 24" burner; Mega-Flame 24" and 30" logs take the MNF24 burner and 36" logs the MNF30 burner. Any vent-free log set listed to ANSI Z21.11.2, rated 40,000 Btu/hr or less, that fits inside (50" wide at the front, 34-3/8" at the back, 21-3/4" deep, 30" tall) can also be used. Every Superior vent-free log size fits, up to the 36" Mega-Flame sets.

Stacked or herringbone?
Both are white refractory panels. The VRT4550WS has a stacked brick pattern and the VRT4550WH a herringbone pattern; the size and the log sets that fit are the same.

Does it need a chimney?
No. The log set burns room air and the heat stays in the room, so there is no vent pipe to run. In exchange, the room has to be big enough or ventilated for the log set's input.

Can it go in a bedroom or bathroom?
Only with a log set rated 10,000 Btu/hr or less, and never in Massachusetts. Every Superior set listed here is larger, so with them, no.

How much heat will it give?
That depends on the log set. The Superior sets that fit run up to 40,000 Btu/hr on natural gas, the most this firebox allows. There is no blower, so the heat comes off the fire and the firebox.

Do I need the outside air kits?
No, they're optional. The dampers for them come installed on both sides, and Superior recommends a kit on each side for the best performance.

Can I put a mantel above it?
Yes. Measured from the top of the hood opening, a combustible mantel up to 1-1/2" deep can sit 12" up, a 6-3/4" mantel 16" up and a 12" mantel 20" up. Our guide to fireplace heat management explains ways to keep the wall above cooler.

Warranty

Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the VRT4550 against defects in materials and workmanship:

  • Firebox body: 20 years
  • Parts not listed: 90 days
  • Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years

Trim and paint are not covered. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.

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