KAMINIO Marlon PRO 24
A practical electric fireplace (inset / media wall fire) for a cosy focal point.
Media Wall Fire Installation Guide (UK 2026)
Media wall fires look spectacular, but getting the installation right depends on planning the opening before you build. This guide covers recess sizing, depth, heat clearance and the electrical supply.
Plan the opening around the fire
The single most important rule is to choose the fire first and build the wall to suit it, not the other way round. Every model states required recess dimensions - width, height and depth - and they vary considerably. Depth is the one most often overlooked and the hardest to fix afterwards, since a stud wall built too shallow means starting again. Get the manufacturer's fitting specification before you frame the wall.
Heat outlet and TV clearance
Most media wall fires vent warm air forward through an outlet at the top of the unit. That outlet must never be boxed in or obstructed. Critically, check the manufacturer's stated minimum clearance between the fire and anything mounted above it, because a TV sitting too close to the heat outlet is the most common media wall mistake. Plan the TV bracket position at the same time as the fire opening, not afterwards.
Electrical supply
The fire needs a socket or fused spur positioned so the cable reaches without strain, usually within or immediately beside the recess. Plan this before boarding the wall, since adding a socket afterwards means cutting into finished plasterboard. Any new circuit or fused spur should be installed by a qualified electrician. Avoid running a 2kW fire from an extension lead, and never bury a standard plug and socket where it can't be accessed.
Materials and finishing
Build the surrounding wall from appropriate materials and observe any clearance the manufacturer specifies around the unit. Use heat-resistant board where required close to the fire, and don't fill the cavity tight against the unit with insulation unless the instructions permit it. Leave access to the fire for servicing where you can, and finish with a flush trim or frame depending on the look you want.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you install a media wall fire?
Choose the fire first, then build a stud wall with an opening matching its stated recess width, height and depth. Position a socket or fused spur within reach before boarding, with any new wiring done by a qualified electrician. Observe the manufacturer's clearances around the unit and above the heat outlet, especially where a TV is mounted overhead. Then slide the fire in and finish the trim.
How far should a TV be above a media wall fire?
Follow the manufacturer's stated minimum clearance for the specific fire, as it varies by model and by where the heat vents. Because most media wall fires blow warm air forward from an outlet at the top, a TV mounted too close can sit in that airflow. Plan the fire opening and the TV bracket position together at the design stage rather than mounting the TV afterwards and hoping.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the KAMINIO Marlon PRO 24 (our score 9.6/10) - A practical electric fireplace (inset / media wall fire) for a cosy focal point..