FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If your question is not answered here please contact us.
Why should I care about fire pit certification?
Gas appliances are no joke – especially high-performance fire pits. We’re talking about open flame in your home that your family sits around. Using a safety-certified fire pit ensures that the firepit system is designed to perform safely when idle or in use; and that your home insurance keeps you covered.
How much BTU do I need?
BTU is a measure to define the amount of energy it takes to produce a certain amount of heat. DreamcastDesign offers firepits and fire tables with gas burners capacity from 50 000 BTU to 250 000 BTU. When you decided to buy firepit, make sure to pay attention to your local area regulations first (different states and provinces will have their own restrictions for gas appliances that you need to check for a permitted installation). Firepits with a lower BTU produces less heat than a firepit or fire table with a higher BTU (ex. 250K). The higher the BTU the more energy is consumed to create heat for the people around the fire pit. This plays a big part when using the fire pit in cold weather. How much warmth you actually need depends on the individual preferences. All DreamCast fire pits have adjustable heat levels, so you can control the flame height and thus the heat output.
As a general rule if you’re operating your firepit in the summer then between 55K – 80K BTU is a comfortable range. If you’re looking to extend your season further into a nippy fall then you’ll want to explore fire pits with a higher BTU output.
Can I self-install?
DreamCast fire pits are designed to be installed by a gas professional to meet all local safety regulations.
Do you have a dealer in our area where we can see the firepits?
We do have some select dealers. Please email us your location and we’ll be happy to direct you to your nearest store. If there is no local dealer then DreamCast ships and services throughout Canada and the USA.
Are there any restrictions we should know about?
- Please check your local codes for any installation restrictions for your city and/or state for installations that will require a gas permit. DreamCast high out-put firepit systems all conform to safety regulations throughout Canada and USA. Most of our systems are also fully certified appliances.
- Overhead clearances – fire pits have restrictions to overhead clearances. Check your model to make sure you have the required distance for safe operation, and to reduce sooting on your ceiling.
- Check with your gas professional that you will have the required gas pressure to run your firepit appliance. This is especially important if you are looking at the high output units. Insufficient pressure will result in a weak flame.
How will this get delivered to me?
Dreamcast ships throughout North America. If you are in the local Vancouver area we offer a White Glove delivery service. All other areas are offered as residential curbside delivery. Visit this video for an overview of curbside delivery:
Do you provide installation?
All DreamCast firepits are supply only. They must be installed by a certified gas professional in your area.
Can this be set up for propane or natural gas? Can I switch if I change my mind?
You’re free to choose whatever option matches your needs best. All fire pits are available in either propane or natural gas, but you specify at time of order. We do not offer a conversion kits as these fire pits are certified for one or another fuel type. If you need to change from Propane to Natural Gas, ro vice versa please contact your sales rep to facilitate the change.
Do you provide service calls? How do I get assistance with troubleshooting if there’s something wrong with my firepit?
If you have any concerns with the operation of your firepit please contact us and we’ll work with you for some standard troubleshooting options. Often it’s an easy fix. If the issue is due to installation you will have to get your original installer for repair.
What is the warranty on my firepit?
Please refer to our warranty page for more information.
What is the lead-time on the order?
We have models available for quick ship within 1-2 weeks in limited colors. Standard lead times on orders is 4-8 weeks on non-stock items.
How much does the firepit weigh?
You will find the weight listed on the product page for each fire pit. The weight of a concrete fire pit, fire table or fire bowl is defined by its model. Weights start from 110lbs, and the larger models are usually made in 2 pieces for a 2 man lift and an easy carry.
Do I need a glass barrier?
We strongly recommend a glass barrier for high out put burners to keep your flame centered in your appliance. If you’re in a windy area then a glass barrier will keep your table space functional, and protect wagging tails or small hands.
Q: Are all your fireplaces made of real concrete?
Yes. All our products are made from strong, durable, glass-fiber-reinforced concrete. We do not use a cast stone material or Styrofoam core.
Q: How are the concrete fireplace surrounds coloured?
We use integral colours in our concrete mix, so the colour is embedded in the product. A colour-matched concrete stain is applied before the sealer coat to balance the tone and allow easier touch ups.
Q: Can I get samples of the finished product?
Of course! We will gladly provide you with a sample for your project. If you are a design professional we will provide a colour sample kit.
Q: How do I install the fireplace surround?
We recommend that our fireplace surrounds be installed by a professional contractor, but they are designed for easy installation. Watch this video for an example of how to install one of our Britannia mantels:
Q: Does DreamCast offer installation services?
We do perform installations of our fireplace surrounds and concrete panels in our local area. Architectural elements and custom products are typically installed by a suitable contractor.
Q: Can your fireplace surround be installed outside?
Our fireplace surrounds are finished and sealed for interior use. Please contact us if you need the product finished for an exterior installation.
Q: What is your typical lead time?
Lead time for our standard products is currently 5-6 weeks. Custom items are evaluated on a project-to-project basis.
Q: Do you ship?
Yes, we ship our products fully crated throughout North America.
Q: Do you have a warranty?
Yes, we offer a 1 year manufacturing warranty. Please click here to read it.
Q: How can I be sure to get the right product for my project?
At DreamCast we believe in a cooperative approach: we work with you and/or your design professional to ensure that our product is both aesthetically pleasing and suits the environment for which it is to become a part of.
Q: Where are all the products made?
We pride ourselves on supporting our community by using local suppliers and creating our products in Richmond, BC Canada.
Q: Do you do custom work?
Yes, DreamCast began as a custom production facility and we continue to provide our customers with uniquely made products.
Q: Do you do custom colours?
Yes. We require a sample of the colour to match; however, due to the nature of concrete we can not guarantee an exact match but a similar tone.
How much BTU do I need?
BTU is a measure to define the amount of energy it takes to produce a certain amount of heat. DreamcastDesign offers firepits and fire tables with gas burners capacity from 50 000 BTU to 250 000 BTU. When you decided to buy firepit, make sure to pay attention to your local area regulations first (different states and provinces will have their own restrictions for gas appliances that you need to check for a permitted installation). Firepits with a lower BTU produces less heat than a firepit or fire table with a higher BTU (ex. 250K). The higher the BTU the more energy is consumed to create heat for the people around the fire pit. This plays a big part when using the fire pit in cold weather. How much warmth you actually need depends on the individual preferences. All DreamCast fire pits have adjustable heat levels, so you can control the flame height and thus the heat output.
As a general rule if you’re operating your firepit in the summer then between 55K – 75K BTU is a comfortable range. If you’re looking to extend your season further into a nippy fall then you’ll want to explore fire pits with a higher BTU output.
Can I self-install a fire pit?
DreamCast fire pits are designed to be installed by a gas professional to meet all local safety regulations.
Do you have a dealer in our area where we can see the firepits?
We do have some select dealers. Please email us your location and we’ll be happy to direct you to your nearest store. If there is no local dealer then DreamCast ships and services throughout Canada and the USA.
Are there any restrictions we should know about?
- Please check your local codes for any installation restrictions for your city and/or state for installations that will require a gas permit. DreamCast firepits also ship with a reducing orifice in case local regulations require appliances to be limited in output to 65K.
- Overhead clearances – fire pits have restrictions to overhead clearances. Check your model to make sure you have the required distance for safe operation, and to reduce sooting on your ceiling.
- Check with your gas professional that you will have the required gas pressure to run your firepit appliance. This is especially important if you are looking at the high output units. Insufficient pressure will result in a weak flame.
How will this get delivered to me? How will it arrive?
Dreamcast ships throughout North America. If you are in the local Vancouver area we offer a White Glove delivery service. All other areas are offered as residential curbside delivery. Visit this video for an overview of curbside delivery
Do you provide installation?
All DreamCast firepits are supply only. They must be installed by a certified gas professional in your area.
Can this be set up for propane or natural gas? Can I switch if I change my mind?
You’re free to choose whatever option matches your needs best. All fire pits are available in either propane or natural gas, but you specify at time of order. We do not offer a conversion kits as these fire pits are certified for one or another fuel type. If you need to change from Propane to Natural Gas, ro vice versa please contact your sales rep to facilitate the change.
Do you provide service calls? How do I get assistance with troubleshooting if there's something wrong with my firepit?
If you have any concerns with the operation of your firepit please contact us and we’ll work with you for some standard troubleshooting options. Often it’s an easy fix. If the issue is due to installation you will have to get your original installer for repair.
What is the warranty on my firepit?
Please refer to our warranty page for more information
What is the lead-time on the order?
We often have some models available for quick ship within 1-2 weeks. Standard lead times on orders are usually 4 to 5 weeks for made to order units. A custom order can be 8 to 10 weeks.
How much does the firepit weigh?
You will find the weight listed on the product page for each fire pit. The weight of a concrete fire pit, fire table or fire bowl is defined by its model. Weights start from 110lbs, and the larger models are usually made in 2 pieces for a 2 man lift and an easy carry.
Do I need a glass barrier?
We strongly recommend a glass barrier for high out put burners to keep your flame centered in your appliance. If you’re in a windy area then a glass barrier will keep your table space functional, and protect wagging tails or small hands.
How do I order a mantel? How do I start?
Do you know of any installers in my area?
Installation can be carried out by a skilled general contractor, carpenter or mason. Please call DreamCast to ask if we have anyone on our recommendation list for your area. If the project resides within the greater Vancouver area, DreamCast is able to offer installation services that include a site visit for measurements, delivery, installation & final finish.
What is a trim kit?
A trim kit consists of 1” thick concrete panels provided in the same color & finish as the rest of your mantel. They are shipped larger than required in size, for you to cut on site based on site measurements.
Do you sell the fireplaces with the mantel?
DreamCast only manufactures the decorative surround for the fireplace. We do not sell gas or electrical inserts.
Do I need a hearth?
Please check your installation manual to see if your gas fireplace requires a hearth. If there is no specific requirement mentioned in the manual, you can choose once based on your liking or site requirements for design purposes. We have different hearth options you can choose from for your mantel.
How is the mantel shipped?
The mantel is shipped in FINISHED pieces per the shop drawings provided. The only pieces that need to be cut on site are the panels from the trim kit which allow for a seamless finish.
What’s included with the mantel?
Each mantel kit includes 3 caulking tubes, shims pack to help level the mantel on site,1 bottle of matching stain, 2 tubes of PL premium and 1 installation manual.
What size do I need? Can the mantel be customized?
We can help determine the size you’ll need based on your site dimensions and the type of fireplace model you have. Once we have the required information to determine the size of your mantel, we will also provide shop drawings for final approval before we begin production. The majority of our mantel designs can also be customized as well.
What if the mantel arrives damaged? Or arrives with missing parts?
We require notification of any damages or missing parts within 48 hours of your shipments arrival. This includes photos of the packaging and contents of your shipment to determine the nature of the damage, or to determine what specifically is missing from your order. If the damage is superficial and can be fixed during installation, we can send you a repair kit. If the damage is severe and cannot be repaired, we will send you a replacement of the damaged part. For anything that we have identified as missing in your shipment, we will also provide a replacement.
Do you have any mantels in stock
As all of our mantels are made to order, we do not carry any mantels in stock.
Can you do custom mantel designs?
Yes, we can, though it depends on the nature of the design. To determine if we can produce a customized mantel design as well as determine a quote and lead time, please provide us with a drawing or photo reference with general dimensions.
How much extra is it to modify a mantel?
That will depend on the mantel design we’re modifying and the nature of the modification. Once we have determined the level of modification requested or required, we will provide a breakdown of the cost for review.
Can I do a custom color?
Yes, you can! As long as it’s an active color from the Benjamin Moore line, we can make the mantel in that color. We require $295.00 to make the custom color sample for approval before we can move forward with the production of the mantel. The $295.00 custom color fee is non-refundable once the sample is made, even if you decide to not move forward with the custom color.
What is the mantel made of?
Our mantels (including infill panel trim kits and hearths) are made of concrete that has been color-integrated and finished with a color-matched sealer for a more uniformed color finish. This makes your mantel a fully non-combustible structure.
How can I be sure to get the right product for my project?
At DreamCast we believe in a cooperative approach: we work with you and/or your design professional to ensure that our product is both aesthetically pleasing and suits the environment for which it is to become a part of.
Where are all the products made?
We pride ourselves on supporting our community by using local suppliers and creating our products in Richmond, BC Canada.
Do you do custom work?
Yes, DreamCast began as a custom production facility and we continue to provide our customers with uniquely made products.
Do you do custom colours?
Yes. We require a sample of the colour to match; however, due to the nature of concrete we can not guarantee an exact match but a similar tone.
