Superior WRT4550 50" Wood Burning Fireplace
The Superior WRT4550 is the 50" model in Superior's WRT4500 Custom Series of indoor wood-burning fireplaces, built for large rooms: a 30" tall opening lined with white refractory panels that run to the front edge, a fully insulated firebox for colder climates and a textured black powder-coat finish. Choose white stacked (WRT4550WS) or white herringbone (WRT4550WH) panels in the options above. A large smoke dome sits over a heavy-duty cast iron grate with forged andirons, and mesh fire screens and a damper control on the front face come standard.
It vents through Superior's 12" double-wall chimney, ordered separately: 12DM standard pipe, or 12HT hi-temp pipe, which is required in Canada. Indoors, the chimney has to reach at least 16 feet from the base of the fireplace to the outlet of the cap. Barometric dampers come installed on both sides, so two outside air kits can be fitted, which Superior recommends.
It also accepts vented gas logs or a vent-free gas log heater, with gas line access on both sides. The WRT4500 comes in 36" and 42" sizes too (WRT4536, WRT4542), and the same fireplace built for outdoor use is the WRE4550.
Key Features
- 50" wide, 30" tall opening; inside, 50" wide at the front, 33-1/8" at the back and 23-1/4" deep
- Open wood-burning fireplace for indoor installation
- White refractory panels in a stacked or herringbone pattern, running to the front edge, with an integrated ash lip
- Large smoke dome for reliable operation
- Fully insulated firebox for colder climates
- Heavy-duty cast iron log grate with forged andirons
- Mesh fire screens and a damper control on the front face
- Barometric dampers on both sides for one or two outside air kits
- Textured black powder-coat finish
- Uses Superior's 12" double-wall chimney: 12DM standard or 12HT hi-temp
- Approved for vented or vent-free gas logs, with gas line access on both sides
- 20 year limited warranty on the fireplace body and firebox
What's Included
- Fireplace with white stacked or white herringbone refractory panels, as ordered (the floor panel comes in place; the rear and side panels go in on site)
- Two mesh fire screens and screen rods
- Heavy-duty cast iron grate with forged andirons, and grate retainers
- Damper with front control, and barometric outside air dampers on both sides
- Ember protector for the front edge
- Installation and operation manual and homeowner's guide
What to Order With It
Required – Chimney pipe, ordered separately:
Required – Chimney cap (pick one; square tops are for chases only):
As your chimney run needs:
Optional:
Specifications
| Model |
WRT4550WS (white stacked) or WRT4550WH (white herringbone) |
| Order number |
F0630 (WRT4550WS), F0631 (WRT4550WH) |
| Type |
Open wood-burning fireplace, factory-built, for indoor installation |
| Fuel |
Wood; also approved for vented gas logs (ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84) or a vent-free gas log heater (ANSI Z21.11.2) |
| Opening |
50" W x 30" H |
| Inside the firebox |
50" wide at the front, 33-1/8" at the back, 23-1/4" deep |
| Outside size |
59-1/4" W x 61" H (67" to the top of the chimney collar) x 28-1/2" D |
| Framed opening |
59-3/4" W x 67-1/8" H x 30-1/8" D |
| Chimney collar |
12-3/8" inside, 15" outside, for 12DM or 12HT chimney |
| Liner |
White refractory panels, stacked or herringbone, running to the front edge, with an integrated ash lip |
| Finish |
Textured black powder coat |
| Smoke dome |
Large dome |
| Insulation |
Fully insulated firebox |
| Screens |
Mesh |
| Grate |
Heavy-duty cast iron, with forged andirons |
| Outside air |
Barometric dampers on both sides; AK4, AK4X or AK4F kits |
| Gas line |
1/2" black iron pipe access on both sides, for gas logs or a log lighter |
| Listing |
UL 127 / ULC-S610 factory-built fireplace (PFS report F09-095) |
| Warranty |
20 year limited (see Warranty below) |
There is no Btu rating for an open wood fire; the heat depends on the wood and the size of the fire. Superior intends it for supplemental heat, not as a replacement for a furnace.
Dimensions and Framing
Fireplace dimensions
| Opening width |
50" |
| Opening height |
30" |
| Base to the bottom of the opening |
7" |
| Overall width |
59-1/4" |
| Height of the face |
49" |
| Overall height |
61" |
| Height to the top of the chimney collar |
67" |
| Width at the back |
38-1/2" |
| Depth |
28-1/2" |
Inside the firebox
| Front width |
50" |
| Rear width |
33-1/8" |
| Depth |
23-1/4" |
| Height |
30" |
Framing
| Opening width |
59-3/4" |
| Opening height |
67-1/8" |
| Depth |
30-1/8" |
| Corner installation, along each wall from the corner |
71" |
| Corner installation, across the front from wall to wall |
100" |
Slide the fireplace back into the framed opening until the nailing flanges touch the side framing, shim it level and square with sheet metal, and fasten it through the side flanges with screws or nails. Keep 1-1/2" between the framing and the back and sides (not needed at the nailing flanges); framing can touch the top spacers.
Installation Requirements
-
Chimney parts: use only Superior's (IHP) 12DM or 12HT chimney parts. Other brands void the warranty and the listing. In Canada, 12HT hi-temp pipe and a Cold Air Climate Kit are required; the kit is recommended in cooler parts of the US.
-
Chimney height: at least 16 feet from the base of the fireplace to the flue outlet of the cap for a straight chimney or one with a single offset, and 22 feet with two offsets; 50 feet at most. No more than 6 feet of angled pipe between offsets, and no more than two angled runs. When pipe goes between an offset and its return, the 6" adapter that comes with the offset set goes in before the return. A chimney over 20 feet tall needs its own support.
-
Through the roof: the cap must be at least 3 feet above where the chimney leaves the roof and 2 feet higher than any part of the roof within 10 feet. Keep 2" between the pipe and anything combustible, put a firestop spacer at every floor or ceiling the chimney passes through, add a thimble where it goes up into an attic, and never fill a chimney enclosure with blown insulation.
-
Chase tops: a square chase top needs a chase at least 30" tall on its shortest side and 19" across inside, with the last pipe section no more than 6" below the top of the chase. Chase tops sharing a chase need 24" between centers and 18" of height difference.
-
Clearances: 1-1/2" at the back and sides (not needed at the nailing flanges), 0" at the top spacers and floor, 42" to the ceiling, 48" in front, and a perpendicular side wall at least 18" from the opening. Don't pack the air spaces with insulation.
-
Hearth extension: over a combustible floor, a non-combustible hearth extension must reach at least 20" in front of the opening and 12" past each side (74" x 20"), with a thermal conductivity (k) of 0.84 or less per inch of thickness; it can be finished with tile, brick, stone, slate or concrete. Slide the supplied ember protector under the front edge of the fireplace and seal the gap with non-combustible material. On a raised platform, make a Z-shaped ember protector from 28-gauge or heavier galvanized steel that reaches 1-1/2" under the fireplace.
-
Floor: on carpet, tile or any combustible floor other than wood, set the fireplace on a metal or wood panel covering its full width and depth.
-
Mantel and facing: no combustible trim or mantel within 18" of the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" must be at least 21" above the top of the opening. Drywall and other combustible board can butt against the sides and top of the face but must never overlap it. Brick, tile and other non-combustible materials can overlap the face, set with non-combustible mortar or adhesive, as long as they don't block any openings.
-
Refractory panels: the floor panel comes installed; set the rear and side panels after the fireplace is in its final place, lining up the grout joints. They are heavy, so lift them with help.
-
Combustion air: the room has to supply enough air for the fire. In a tight house, or one with large kitchen exhaust fans or other equipment that pulls air out, the fireplace can smoke or backdraft; provide make-up air and fit outside air kits. An AK4 kit draws air through a sidewall and an AK4F through a vented crawl space; fit them during rough framing. The inlet can't end in an attic or sit higher than 3 feet below the flue outlet of the cap.
-
Smoke detectors: Superior recommends them, ideally in a hallway next to the room, or as your local code requires.
-
Gas logs: vented gas logs must be listed to ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84, with the damper removed or locked fully open and any glass doors fully open. A vent-free gas log heater must be listed to ANSI Z21.11.2; never run one with the chimney removed. If wood has been burned, have a chimney sweep clean the firebox and chimney first. Gas runs in 1/2" black iron pipe through the access on either side, hooked up by a qualified service person and leak-tested with soapy water, never a flame. A certified gas log lighter can also be fitted.
-
Glass doors: use only doors certified for this fireplace, and run them fully open or fully closed, never partly open.
-
Inserts: don't put a fireplace insert in it unless the insert's maker says it was tested with this fireplace.
-
Installation: check local codes and permits before you start, and have a qualified installer follow the installation manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chimney does it need?
Superior's 12" double-wall chimney (12-3/8" inside, 15" outside): 12DM standard or 12HT hi-temp pipe, plus a round top or chase top cap, all listed above. It must reach at least 16 feet from the base of the fireplace to the flue outlet of the cap (22 feet with two offsets); the fireplace itself counts for 66-1/2" of that. The cap must also clear the roof by 3 feet and any part of the roof within 10 feet by 2 feet.
Do I need outside air kits?
Superior recommends them: barometric dampers are installed on both sides, so one or two kits can connect. They matter most in a tight house or one with strong exhaust fans, where the fire can struggle to draw. The AK4 goes through a sidewall and the AK4F through a vented crawl space.
Can it go outdoors?
No. The WRT4550 is listed for indoor installation. For a covered patio or outdoor room, the WRE4550 is the same fireplace built for outdoor use, with stainless steel construction.
Can I burn gas logs in it?
Yes. It is approved for vented gas logs listed to ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84 (with the damper locked open and any glass doors open) and for vent-free gas log heaters listed to ANSI Z21.11.2. Check that the log set fits the firebox (50" wide at the front, 33-1/8" at the back and 23-1/4" deep). There is gas line access on both sides, and a certified gas log lighter can be installed for wood fires.
What should I burn?
Dry, seasoned hardwood, ideally seasoned for about a year, and about three logs on the grate at a time; overloading it only adds smoke. Manufactured firelogs are fine if they are made for fireplaces, but don't poke them while they burn. Never burn treated lumber, plywood, driftwood, charcoal, coal, trash or Christmas tree branches, and never start a fire with gasoline, lighter fluid or kerosene.
Stacked or herringbone?
Both are white refractory panels. The WRT4550WS has a stacked brick pattern and the WRT4550WH a herringbone pattern; the size and fit are the same.
How close can a mantel be?
Keep combustible trim and mantels at least 18" from the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" at least 21" above the top of the opening. Brick, stone or tile can overlap the face itself.
Anything to know about the first fires?
Let the refractory panels cure for 24 hours, then keep the first three or four fires small. Hairline cracks up to 1/64" wide in the panels are normal. Lock the damper fully open before lighting, and don't close it until the embers are completely out. Have the chimney inspected at least twice a year while you use the fireplace, and cleaned once creosote builds up to 1/8".
Warranty
Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the WRT4550 against defects in materials and workmanship:
- Fireplace body and firebox: 20 years
- Refractory panels and fire screens: 2 years, repair or replacement (hairline cracks excluded)
- Grate: 90 days, defects only (Superior treats grates as a wear item)
- Optional glass doors: 90 days
- Parts not listed: 90 days
- Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years
Vent components, trim, paint and applied stains are not covered, and neither is damage from overfiring. Using chimney parts that aren't Superior's (IHP) voids the warranty. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.
Documents and Downloads
