Seeing that there wasn t a video tha talke.
Metal stud framing fireplace.
The metal firebox has a nailing flange on each side and if the opening s stud framing is set too wide apart the hole will be too wide and won t hold the nailing flanges.
I framed all around the unit with steel studs used durock nextgen board directly to the studs.
Boxed jamb studs welded together reduces material build up and finish problems.
Use of cripple stud to receive head sill tracks at the jamb studs helps maintain alignment of finishes.
There is only one metal stud while all the above horizontal support will be wood instead because the fireplace lean back a bit creating enough gap on top area.
The fireplace sticks out 2 past the base to accommodate full 2 x 2 studs easier to frame a full wall.
Metal studs are generally considered suitable for framing non load bearing walls and in particular for finishing basement spaces where the potential for excess moisture presents the problem of rot and mold growth with wood construction.
The reason for using metal studs like this is due to airgap clearance from the fireplace bricks.
Boxed header members provide backing for attachment of window covering support.
Although steel studs are not susceptible to mold or rot they can rust in damp situations so the use of a vapor barrier or gasket between the bottom plate and.
The fireplace was levelled horizontally and vertically and centred in the space.
I think your recommendation of using a piece of wood inside to avoid bend makes sense.
In this plan detail drawing the framed opening must be the exact width shown 41 1 4.
You would need framing metal or wood for the manufactured man made type of stone or brick.
No combustibles were to be used up to around 96 above the unit and 6 to the sides of the unit.
Fireplace in a straight wall.
Window load bearing boxed header boxed jamb.
My wife and i bought a fixer upper and the fireplace needed remodeling so i did my best to to it with metal studs.
The metal standoffs on the fireplace were secured in place for only a drywall finish no tile or stone.
