u/FlySorry9309

The lower texture closest to the fireplace is the new texture. While I can appreciate it’s impossible to match, I do feel this is a bit far off from what I’d expect.

The transition texture noticeably flattens out. Lower region looks like either the hopper pressure was slightly too low or the mud was a bit too thin, causing the splatter to lay down flatter instead of building up peaked droplets.

Let me know if I’m being unrealistic. Appreciate your time and expertise!

Hey everyone,

Just ran into a bit of a design dilemma with our fireplace remodel and wanted to see what others have done.

We have our passive heat vent installed now, but looking straight through the opening, you can clearly see the unfinished framing and insulation inside (as you can see in the photo).

Our installers suggested just painting the interior cavity flat black so it disappears into the shadows. While that's easy enough, I'm a little skeptical:
Will painting it actually hide it well enough, or is it still going to catch your eye, especially from certain angles?

I'm also worried about bugs, dust, and general debris finding their way into the chase. Would putting up some kind of fine mesh screen be a better way to block pests while still letting the heat flow freely?

If you've dealt with a similar setup, how did your installers finish it off? Any advice, photos, or clever tricks would be hugely appreciated!