Which fireplace to choose

These questions should help you determine whether you'd like an electric, gas or wood burning fireplace. There has been a strong trend toward gas fireplaces because they are much more affordable to build than wood-burning fireplaces which require a chimney built of masonry. Pre-fabricated metal units have taken over the marketplace for cost alone. One of the biggest draws towards gas fireplaces is that they provide radiant heat and a hearth flame without the inconvenience of wood.

There is wide variety of sizes and aesthetic choices in gas fireplaces and considerably more leeway in terms of venting inserts, direct-vent and vent-free models than that offered by wood-burning fireplaces. Electric fireplaces usually come out of the box, so you do not need to choose construction materials or dimensions because the fireplace will come already constructed. They are typically on the smaller side, making them an excellent choice for smaller rooms.

If you are planning to have a wood-burning fireplace then construction materials are of particular importance. Brick fireplace designs are probably the most common choice, because brick does not show smoke stains.

Another common material for fireplace design is stone. There are many varieties of stone fireplace such as limestone, marble, slate or ceramic tile. Avoid light colors if you plan on using your fireplace often.

If you've already decided on a theme for your room, look for a fireplace with complimentary accents like stone, brick, tile and woodworking. Accent the mantle with decorative touches like mirrors, statues, flowers or artwork to complement your theme.

You may also enjoy this article on gas fireplaces. Reproductions of the illustrations or working drawings by any means is strictly prohibited. Visit architectural salvage and reclamation yards which may offer the best chance of finding something appropriate that you can upcycle. Contemporary fires and fireplaces offer flexibility of scale and proportion.

Why not opt for hole-in-the-wall designs which do away with a hearth completely? Suiting smaller rooms where floor space is limited, these usually come minus a surround and are usually gas. They can consist of a burner providing a regimented row of flames, a fire bowl, or a pile of driftwood.

A great range of contemporary-style stoves are available. You could place stoves with a flue in a fireplace opening, or against an outside wall in which case it will be a balanced-flue design. Whereas you can position some flue-less models more or less anywhere.

Choose from multifuel coal, smokeless fuel or wood , gas or LPG , oil or electric models. And burning wood in a modern stove is a carbon lean way to create heat for the home. Here we look at the main options to choose from. Most large DIY stores sell off-the-shelf designs or visit a fireplace showroom for more expensive surrounds. Give a room a natural feel with these traditional materials that lend themselves to more classic family living rooms.

Usually associated with period properties, cast iron surrounds often a sought after a Victorian style feature. Create a modern spin by updating cast-iron fire surrounds with metal paint and filled with candles to create a display.

Home All rooms ideas. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The reason why you choose a fireplace will guide you in selecting the right hearth. A closed fireplace focuses solely on heating. It heats almost ten times more than an open hearth, while consuming four times less wood. The fire lasts three times longer, and the fumes are enclosed instead of escaping into the room. This also prevents dust from spreading. In certain countries, you may also receive a tax credit.

However, despite the good distribution of heat and benefits from double combustion and waterproof properties, the maintenance is extensive, it is rather expensive and replacing an existing chimney usually requires breaking it down.

Mostly decorative, it does not provide a sufficient amount of heat, it is not eco-friendly and is certainly not economically sound. It does, however, show a beautiful fire and provide the smell of wood to ensure delightful evenings. Instead of warming up the habitat, an open chimney is a real source for drafts. An open fireplace is connected to the outside by a masonry duct through which the smoke is evacuated.

A chimney insert is inserted into an existing chimney. The chimney insert can be used in a renovation project of an existing home or in a new project. Unlike the closed fireplace, the hot air of the insert exits through the front panel and is mostly propelled by a turbine placed in the lower part of the device. The air in the room is then taken from the lower part of the appliance where it circulates around the heating element in a second casing and is then channelled through the grill at the top of the appliance.

Learn more. Since getting one is expensive, I saved for a couple of months just to have one in my apartment. Now that I am looking for fireplaces, I like that you gave a tip in choosing a hearth that offers a nice glimpse of the fire. Thank you for pointing out that fireplaces have a variety of ignition sources; however, all require some kind of ventilation. Yesterday, I was talking to my sister, and she mentioned that she really wants to turn her pack patio into something amazing.

She is thinking that a fireplace back there would really increase the usability. I hope she does her research and finds something amazing. I loved how you mentioned that the open fireplace is for aesthetic purposes.