A see-through gas fireplace is one appliance with glass on both faces, framed into an interior wall so the fire is visible from the room on each side. Napoleon builds its Tall Linear Vector that way in three widths (50", 62" and 74"), in a standard version and a Luminous Logs version, which is six models: TLV50N2, TLV62N2, TLV74N2, TLV50LN2, TLV62LN2 and TLV74LN2.
The appliance itself is not the hard part. The framing is, and the framing has one rule that almost nobody publishes. Everything below comes from Napoleon's installation manuals for these exact models (W415-4121 for the standard see-through, W415-4127 for the Luminous see-through, both revision 01.29.26) and the specification sheets W415-4142, W415-4143 and W415-4144.
What a See-Through Fireplace Does
One unit, one gas line, one vent run, two rooms. Both faces carry glass, and both faces show the same 26 13/16"-high opening: 52 9/16" wide on the 50, 64 9/16" on the 62, 76 9/16" on the 74 (specification sheets, page 2). It goes in a divider wall between a living room and a dining room, a kitchen and a family room, or a bedroom and an ensuite; Napoleon approves these models for bedroom and bathroom installation (W415-4121, page 5).
Because there is no back wall on the firebox, the unit is shallower than a single-sided fireplace, which is the second thing below. The first thing is the order of operations.
The Framing Rule: Firestop First, Then Frame
From the rough framing page of the Tall Vector installation manual, in Napoleon's words:
"Before framing a see-through appliance, ensure to install the firestop first as it will not fit between the studs if installed after framing." (W415-4121, page 31; the same sentence appears on page 31 of W415-4127 for the Luminous models.)
The firestop spacer is the metal plate the vent passes through where it goes through the framing. Napoleon gives the same firestop-first instruction for the single-sided unit on the same page, but for the see-through, with framing on both faces, it spells out the consequence: it will not fit afterward. So the sequence is:
- Settle the vent path first. The same page opens with: "Before framing your appliance, determine vent requirements before deciding the final location of the appliance."
- Set the firestop.
- Then frame. The manual also says the lifting handles must be removed before rough framing (W415-4121, page 11).
- Place the unit in its final position after rough framing, and keep framing and finishing materials out of the finishing flange: Napoleon's dimension pages say those materials "must NEVER encroach inside the finishing flange" (W415-4121, page 13).
If your framer has not built one of these before, hand them this page of the manual before the lumber shows up. It is a ten-minute conversation now or a rebuilt wall later.
Depth: 16 3/16" Instead of 20 1/8"
The see-through Tall Vector is 16 3/16" deep, and its framing depth is also 16 3/16" (specification sheets W415-4142 / 4143 / 4144, page 2; W415-4121, pages 13 and 31). The single-sided Tall Vector is 19 7/8" deep and frames at 20 1/8".
That 16 3/16" is the framed thickness of the divider wall, before drywall or stone goes on each face. It will not fit inside an ordinary stud wall, but it is 4" less than a single-sided unit needs, which is often the difference between a divider wall that reads as a wall and one that reads as a box.
| Model | Framing width (F) | Opening height (K) | Framing depth (E) | Min. enclosure / ceiling height (L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TLV50N2 / TLV50LN2 | 65 13/16" | 48 3/16" | 16 3/16" | 73" |
| TLV62N2 / TLV62LN2 | 77 13/16" | 48 3/16" | 16 3/16" | 91" |
| TLV74N2 / TLV74LN2 | 89 13/16" | 48 3/16" | 16 3/16" | 91" |
Sources: W415-4121 page 31 and W415-4127 page 31 (E, F, L); specification sheets page 3 (K). The enclosure height is measured from the bottom of the appliance, the unit does not need to be raised off the floor, and Napoleon notes the enclosure height "may be higher depending on venting configuration."
Two Vent Shields
The vent shield is the telescopic guard that protects the first 22"–30" of vertical vent above the unit. The vent shield page of the manual ends with this line, in capitals:
"FOR SEE-THROUGH APPLIANCES, REPEAT STEPS WITH THE OPPOSITE SIDE (2 vent shields required)." (W415-4121, page 39; W415-4127, page 39.)
What the manual does not say is whether the second shield is packed with a see-through unit. The hardware list on page 11 covers fasteners only, and we have not found a Napoleon document that states the shield count in the carton. We are not going to guess in either direction. Before framing, open the carton and count them; if there is one, order the second before the vent goes in, not after the drywall does.
Venting: the See-Through Has Its Own Chart
Every direct vent fireplace has a minimum vertical rise before the vent can turn toward an outside wall, and a maximum horizontal run at that rise. The see-through Tall Vector does not use the single-sided numbers. Its figures, from the typical venting installation page:
| Model | Minimum vertical rise (B) | Maximum horizontal run (A) | Minimum height to top of termination (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLV50N2 / TLV50LN2 | 22" | 46 1/2" | 54 1/2" |
| TLV62N2 / TLV62LN2 | 40" | 52 1/2" | 72 1/2" |
| TLV74N2 / TLV74LN2 | 50" | 58 1/2" | 82 1/2" |
Sources: W415-4121 page 16 and W415-4127 page 16, dimensions A, B and C on the see-through drawing. For comparison, the single-sided Tall Vector needs 22" of rise in every size, with an 18" maximum horizontal at that rise (same page).
The rest of the limits are shared with the single-sided model: total vertical plus horizontal (V + H) of no more than 40 ft, horizontal (H) of no more than 20 ft, and a power vent for anything longer (W415-4121, pages 20 and 24). For a roof termination, Napoleon calls a 6 ft vertical rise "the minimum practical dimension" and notes that the building or local codes may require more (page 22). Propane models must be vented with rigid pipe (pages 23–24).
Two things follow from the chart. The 62 and 74 need 40" and 50" of rise, so on those sizes the vent is going up through a good part of the wall above the unit before it can turn; plan the enclosure height with that in mind, which is exactly what the "may be higher depending on venting configuration" note is about. And the horizontal allowance at minimum rise is generous on a see-through (46 1/2" to 58 1/2") compared with the 18" of a single-sided unit, which helps when the divider wall does not sit against the outside wall.
Our direct vent gas fireplace buying guide covers the vent path from the building's side.
What It Costs
Current pricing on our site, natural gas models:
| Model | Standard | With Luminous Logs |
|---|---|---|
| Tall Vector 50 see-through | TLV50N2 — $9,459 | TLV50LN2 — $13,909 |
| Tall Vector 62 see-through | TLV62N2 — $12,799 | TLV62LN2 — $17,249 |
| Tall Vector 74 see-through | TLV74N2 — $15,019 | TLV74LN2 — $19,479 |
So the six models run from $9,459 to $19,479. Both versions share the same dimensions, framing and venting figures above; the specification sheets list the N2 and LN2 models in the same rows. The standard model is sold without logs or media, and the Luminous model is sold without its log set; both product pages list the log kits as separate lines.
Napoleon also makes the lower-profile Vector as a see-through in 38", 50", 62" and 74", from $6,179. It frames at the same 16 3/16" depth but has an 18 5/8"-high opening and its own venting chart; our Tall Vector vs. Vector guide puts the two side by side.
Trim on Two Faces: Confirm Before You Order
The Tall Vector is frameless as standard. Napoleon's optional black finishing trim (FTTLV50, FTTLV62, FTTLV74) is listed for the single-sided unit, and neither the installation manual nor the specification sheets state how many trim kits a see-through installation takes. Two faces would suggest two, but we are not going to put that in writing on Napoleon's behalf. Confirm the trim count with us or with your installer before you order, and decide it before the finishing material is chosen, because the trim is adjusted to the depth of the finish (W415-4121, page 61).
Before Anyone Frames
- Vent path agreed, with the minimum rise for your size (22", 40" or 50") and the horizontal run inside the allowance.
- Firestop installed before framing.
- Divider wall framed 16 3/16" deep, 65 13/16", 77 13/16" or 89 13/16" wide, with a 48 3/16" opening height and 73" or 91" of enclosure height from the bottom of the unit.
- Two vent shields on hand.
- Trim count confirmed for both faces.
- Licensed gas fitter and installer booked. We supply the equipment; the installation is theirs, working from the manual for your exact model.
Both versions carry the Napoleon Gas Appliance President's Lifetime Limited Warranty (the warranty section of each installation manual), which applies because we are an authorized Napoleon dealer.
Send Us the Wall
Where the divider wall sits, how far it is from the outside wall, the ceiling height, and a photo. We will tell you which size fits, what the vent run looks like, and what the complete build costs.
(814) 440-4817 — American Hearth Supply, Authorized Napoleon Dealer
