Superior WRT8048 48" Wood Burning Masonry Fireplace
The Superior WRT8048 is an indoor wood-burning fireplace with a 48" wide opening that stands 42" tall, 12" taller than the openings on Superior's WRT6000 fireplaces, over a flush, low-profile hearth. It ships as a fully insulated firebox with a textured powder-coat finish, and takes a Mosaic Masonry liner of real kiln-fired firebrick with mortared joints, ordered separately in a split herringbone pattern: Ivory, Midnight, Slate Grey or Warm Red. A large smoke dome with no visible smoke shelf sits over a heavy-duty steel grate with forged andirons, and mesh fire screens 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. The chimney has to reach at least 16 feet from the base of the fireplace to the outlet of the cap. Outside air kits connect on either side, and Superior recommends fitting two; a barometric damper lets the outside air in when the fire needs it.
On any floor other than a concrete slab, the fireplace sits on Superior's HS48 hearth spacer, listed below with the liners. It also accepts vented gas logs or a vent-free gas log heater, with gas line access on either side. If a 30" tall opening suits the room better, the WRT6050 has a 50" wide opening and takes Mosaic liners too.
Key Features
- 48" wide, 42" tall opening; inside, with the liner, 48" wide at the front, 33-1/2" at the back and 24" deep
- Open wood-burning fireplace for indoor installation
- Flush, low-profile hearth; the HS48 hearth spacer is required on any floor other than a concrete slab
- Takes a Mosaic Masonry liner of kiln-fired firebrick with mortared joints (one required, ordered separately)
- 4 liner choices in a split herringbone pattern: Ivory, Midnight, Slate Grey or Warm Red
- Large smoke dome with no visible smoke shelf
- Fully insulated firebox for colder climates
- Heavy-duty steel grate with forged andirons
- Mesh fire screens and an easy-to-reach damper handle
- Outside air kits connect on the left, the right or both sides, with a barometric damper
- Textured 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 either side
- 20 year limited warranty on the fireplace body and firebox
What's Included
- Fireplace without an interior (the Mosaic Masonry liner is ordered separately)
- Mesh fire screens and screen rods
- Heavy-duty steel grate with forged andirons
- Damper with handle
- Ember protector for the front edge
- Installation and operation manual
What to Order With It
Required – Mosaic Masonry brick liner, ordered separately (pick one):
Required on any floor other than a concrete slab – Hearth spacer:
Required – Chimney pipe, ordered separately:
Required – Chimney cap (pick one; square tops are for chases only):
As your chimney run needs:
Optional:
Specifications
| Model |
WRT8048 |
| Order number |
F4252 (fireplace; the liner is ordered separately) |
| 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 |
48" W x 42" H |
| Inside the firebox, with the liner |
48" wide at the front, 33-1/2" at the back, 24" deep, 42" high |
| Outside size |
60-5/8" W x 65-3/4" H (71-1/2" to the top of the chimney collar) x 30" D |
| On the hearth spacer |
The spacer adds 4-3/4", for 76-1/4" to the top of the chimney collar |
| Framed opening |
60-7/8" W x 76-3/8" H with the hearth spacer (71-1/2" without) x 31-5/8" D |
| Chimney collar |
12-3/8" inside, 15" outside, for 12DM or 12HT chimney |
| Liner |
Mosaic Masonry kiln-fired firebrick with mortared joints, split herringbone; one required, ordered separately |
| Liner kit shipping weight |
630 lb (ships separately from the fireplace) |
| Finish |
Textured powder coat |
| Smoke dome |
Large dome with no visible smoke shelf |
| Insulation |
Fully insulated firebox |
| Screens |
Mesh |
| Grate |
Heavy-duty steel, with forged andirons |
| Outside air |
AK4, AK4X or AK4F kit, on the left, the right or both sides, with a barometric damper |
| Gas line |
1/2" black iron pipe access on either side, for gas logs or a log lighter |
| Listing |
UL 127 / ULC-S610 factory-built fireplace (PFS report F09-142) |
| 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 |
48" |
| Opening height |
42" |
| Overall width |
60-5/8" |
| Width at the back |
42-3/8" |
| Depth |
30", plus 5/8" for the face |
| Height to the top of the firebox |
65-3/4" |
| Height to the top of the chimney collar |
71-1/2" |
| Height to the top of the chimney collar, on the hearth spacer |
76-1/4" |
| Hearth spacer height |
4-3/4" |
Inside the firebox, with the Mosaic liner
| Front width |
48" |
| Rear width |
33-1/2" |
| Depth |
24" |
| Height |
42" |
Framing
| Opening width |
60-7/8" |
| Opening height, with the hearth spacer |
76-3/8" |
| Opening height, on a concrete slab with no spacer |
71-1/2" |
| Depth |
31-5/8" |
| Corner installation, along each wall from the corner |
78-7/8" |
| Corner installation, across the front from wall to wall |
107-3/8" |
On any floor other than a concrete slab, set the HS48 hearth spacer in place first and strap the fireplace to it with the supplied straps. 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
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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.
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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. A chimney over 20 feet tall needs its own support.
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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.
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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.
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Clearances: 1-1/2" at the back and sides (not needed at the nailing flanges), 0" at the top spacers and floor, 48" in front, and a perpendicular side wall at least 18" from the opening. Don't pack the air spaces with insulation.
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Floor: anywhere other than on a concrete slab, the fireplace must be installed on Superior's HS48 combustible floor hearth spacer.
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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 (72" 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, marble 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.
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Mantel and facing: no combustible trim or mantel within 12" of the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" must be at least 15" above the top of the opening. Mantel legs can come up to the side edges of the black metal face if their projection stays within the limits shown in the installation manual. 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.
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Mosaic liner: install it after the fireplace is in its final place, with at least two people. The hearth panel goes in first, then the leading bricks, then the side walls (set into slots in the hearth and held with retaining brackets), then the rear bottom panel and the rear top panel last. Grouting the joints is recommended, with the grout that comes in the liner kit; leave the gap at the very top of the walls open, and wait 72 hours before the first fire. The grate retainers fasten to the hearth panel with the supplied masonry screws in pilot holes drilled with a 1/8" masonry bit.
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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. Superior recommends two. 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.
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Smoke detectors: Superior recommends them, ideally in a hallway next to the room, or as your local code requires.
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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.
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Glass doors: use only doors certified for this fireplace; the door rails fasten into the firebrick with concrete screws. Run the doors fully open or fully closed, never partly open.
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Inserts: don't put a fireplace insert in it unless the insert's maker says it was tested with this fireplace.
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Installation: check local codes and permits before you start, and have a qualified installer follow the installation manual.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it come with the brick interior?
No. The fireplace ships without an interior, and one Mosaic Masonry liner is required. There are four, all in a split herringbone pattern: Ivory, Midnight, Slate Grey or Warm Red, listed above. Each is a kit of kiln-fired firebrick panels with mortared joints, with the grout, retaining brackets, grate retainers and masonry screws. A liner kit ships at 630 lb, so plan on at least two people to set it.
Do I need the hearth spacer?
Yes, unless the fireplace sits on a concrete slab. On any other floor, Superior requires the HS48 hearth spacer under the fireplace, strapped to it at the sides and back. It raises the fireplace 4-3/4", so the framed opening is 76-3/8" tall instead of 71-1/2". A combustible floor still needs a non-combustible hearth extension 72" wide and 20" deep in front.
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.
Can it go outdoors?
No. The WRT8048 is built for indoor installation. For a covered patio or outdoor room, Superior's outdoor WRE6000 fireplaces, such as the WRE6050, take Mosaic liners too, with a 30" tall opening.
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 inside the liner (48" wide at the front, 33-1/2" at the back and 24" deep). There is gas line access on either side, and a certified gas log lighter can be installed for wood fires.
What should I burn?
Dry, seasoned hardwood; Superior recommends a moisture meter reading under 20%, which usually takes 12 to 24 months of seasoning for hardwood. Manufactured firelogs are fine if they are made for fireplaces, but don't poke or stir them while they burn. Never burn treated lumber, plywood, salt-water driftwood, charcoal, coal, trash or Christmas tree branches, and never start a fire with gasoline, lighter fluid or kerosene.
Does it need glass doors?
No. The mesh screens come with it. The BDMO48EA ebony bi-fold glass doors, made for the Mosaic liner, are an option. Open the damper and the doors fully before lighting, run the doors fully open or fully closed, and keep the fire well back from the glass.
How close can a mantel be?
Keep combustible trim and mantels at least 12" from the opening, and anything combustible that sticks out more than 1-1/2" at least 15" above the top of the opening. Brick, stone or tile can overlap the face itself.
Anything to know about the first fires?
Once the liner is grouted, wait 72 hours before the first fire. Lock the damper fully open before lighting, and expect a little smoke until the chimney warms up. 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 WRT8048 against defects in materials and workmanship:
- Fireplace body and firebox: 20 years
- Refractory 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.
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