Simply the best looking 'fire/log' insert available on Amazon!My fireplace was sealed off for 15 years. It used to suck the heat out of my house or cold drafts would come down the chimney. Over the years we converted our house to gas, so I thought maybe I'd finally get to doing that fireplace 'remodel' that was needed for so long. Forget it. A gas insert would cost thousands and I just was not willing to spend that kind of money for 'ambiance.' I did not require my fireplace to supplement my heating. Then I realized I did not want to mess around with actual fire or potential hazards that come with fire.NEXT: search for electric options. I found this insert as well as many others, but LegendFlame provided the best measurement description of all the others available and it appeared to 'look' the nicest. Some models from other sellers, if you can find them in this larger size, look as if there's a pile of burning stuff laying all over the floor of the unit or there's no 3 dimensional look from the from to the fake 'back wall of the fireplace,' where with this model the fire/logs are elevated inside the unit and look much nicer. My fireplace required the largest sized unit and it looked as if I'd have about 1/2" at the top where there might be a gap. I was not happy to have to add 5" of black frame on 3 sides, so I tried a do-it-yourself approach.These units are very lightweight, have convenient built in handles on the sides and simply slide into the opening of your fireplace. I ordered that (add 5" of black framing on 3 sides) trim kit but, didn't open it. I knew I wanted to try to do something to hide that little gap without installing that kit. Basically, I had a thick 3/4" piece of heavy duty corrugated cardboard that had come packaged with a large screen TV (that I had saved because I knew it would come in handy some day) I cut that down to match the shape of the fireplace floor. I installed the insert on top of it, then to keep the insert from tilting out of the fireplace, I took a piece of narrow wood 1/2" square, cut to length, covered it with black duct tape and tapped/tucked it right under the front of the unit. It holds the unit snug and looks PERFECT! The modification fills the gap on top and I didn't have to use the trim kit to cover a simple 1/2" gap, so I sent it back. It cost about $29 to send it back, but I did anyway. So, if your might be really close, don't order the kit, was to see if you can modify it on your own, save yourself the shipping. Then, if you need it, order it. I had planned, if forced to use the trim kit, to paint the trim kit the same color as my brick face. I had just made the brick look so pretty, the last thing I wanted was a giant black frame hiding a lot of it.I had just 'remodeled' and painted my fireplace brick face and made a new mantel from scratch. I used crazy glue to hold the cord in the mortar joint that runs along the lower, outer edge of brick face, then before installing the side trim, I burrowed out the wood on the backside to allow the cord to run behind it, then I used a cord concealer box to hide the cord going to the outlet. After it was all done I painted all of it, including the cord, the same color as my walls and brick face.The fireplace is awesome, with lots of lighting options, flame effects and the sounds. I opted for the solid glass front model saving $50 from the next model up that has the moveable doors. I figured I didn't need spend the extra $50 to have operable doors in order to open and tend to my fake fire. : )Get this unit, you will not be sorry. The first thing I do when home in the mornings is to turn it on. The fire looks VERY realistic and I love all the options for how it appears. I'll probably never use the heater, but I did try it. It blows hot air, quietly, but it's nothing substantial and will likely run up your electric bill. They should consider offering a 'no heat' model option to keep prices down. I know I'd have bought it.
