Homeowners frequently consider incorporating a fireplace when designing their new home or planning a renovation. However, many are unaware of the numerous decisions involved in selecting the ideal fireplace for their space. Our architects, based in Texas, are here to demystify the components of a fireplace, explore the various options available, and guide you in choosing materials for a unique design that complements your overall home style.
Bend of the River Residence, Stucco surround with wood mantle
Understanding Fireplace Components
While most homeowners are familiar with the chimney and the mantel, fireplace terminology often ends there. When shopping for or designing fireplace options, it’s beneficial to understand the specific parts of a fireplace. Here is our glossary of important fireplace components to keep in mind when discussing project plans with architects, contractors, and interior designers:
- Firebox: This is the central, rectangular opening where the fire is built or where an insert may be placed. Fireboxes are typically lined with heat-resistant firebricks.
- Fireplace Insert: In traditional masonry fireplaces, there might only be a firebox. For electric and gas models, a fireplace insert often houses additional components like glass doors or ventilation, fitting neatly inside the firebox.
- Hearth: Located at the base of the fireplace, the hearth usually extends from inside the firebox anywhere from 16 to 18 inches (approximately 40 to 45 cm) outwards, either as a raised base or flush with the floor. The hearth protects the surrounding flooring from heat and embers and must be constructed from a non-combustible material.
- Surround: The surround is the area encompassing the firebox’s perimeter, typically ranging from 8 to 12 inches (approximately 20 to 30 cm) wide. Like the hearth, the surround’s purpose is to protect the interior from the fireplace’s heat and must be made from non-combustible material.
- Lintel: A structural component positioned at the top of the firebox, the lintel supports the load of the chimney above and the firebox opening itself.
- Mantel: The mantel is the decorative ledge placed above the firebox opening. It can be free-floating or supported by legs or pilasters.
- Chimney: Beginning at the top of the firebox, the chimney forms a vertical tower that extends beyond the roofline, carrying smoke and combustion byproducts up and away from the home.
- Flue: This term refers to the internal passageway within the chimney. It is lined with a heat and moisture-resistant material to protect the chimney structure.
- Chimney Cap: Placed atop the chimney, the chimney cap protects it from weather elements like rain and snow. This feature can also be decorative, adding architectural detail to the home’s exterior.
7 Different Types of Fireplaces
Deciding to incorporate a fireplace into your renovation or new build is just the initial step. A wide array of fireplace options is available, each with its own set of benefits and limitations. Here are seven popular types of fireplaces to consider for your project:
- Wood-burning: These fireplaces offer classic charm, a sense of nostalgia, and a delightful ambiance. When considering this option, it’s crucial to account for future maintenance, upkeep, and practicality. Wood-burning fireplaces require annual cleanings and inspections to ensure safe operation. Lighting a wood fire also involves chopping and storing wood, which some homeowners find charming, while others consider it a hassle. It’s also essential to consider the potential health hazards of ash, soot, and smoke entering the home.
- Gas: Gas fireplaces provide the charming ambiance of a flame with the convenience of a switch. Installation of gas units is typically easier than constructing a wood-burning fireplace, and they require less maintenance. They also offer an eco-friendly design, burning with high energy efficiency and without emitting ash or soot. However, operating costs can become significant depending on natural gas prices in your area.
- Electric: Electric fireplaces often feature sleeker, more modern designs and may not offer the same nostalgic charm as a wood-burning or gas flame. Nevertheless, they are a safe, affordable, and zero-emission solution. Electric fireplaces are also easy to install in any room, requiring no ventilation or chimney. Many models allow flame displays to be customized with unique colors and patterns.
- Double-sided: Double-sided fireplaces feature two openings on either side of the firebox, allowing views into the adjacent room. A double-sided fireplace makes an excellent focal point in the center of a large great room, can elegantly divide a living and dining space, or establish a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living areas like a living room and patio. They are also an efficient design choice as they can heat two areas with a single fireplace.
- Nameless Road Residence, double-sided gas fireplace
- Masonry: Masonry fireplaces are constructed from brick or stone and are integrated directly into the home’s structure. These are excellent options for new builds and major additions but may be cost-prohibitive for smaller renovation projects due to their complex and labor-intensive construction.
- Chicory Cove Residence, stone fireplace
- Mason-Lite or Isokern: Mason-Lite and Isokern are types of prefabricated fireplace units that offer the visual appeal of a full masonry fireplace but with a lower cost and simpler installation process. These fireplace kits are typically lighter in weight and can be combined with various surrounds to achieve a complete masonry look. Isokern fireplaces, for example, are known for being made from Icelandic pumice, a lightweight and highly insulating material.
- Fireplace Inserts: Fireplace inserts are essentially self-contained metal stoves designed to be placed into existing firebox openings. They can house wood, gas, or electric fireboxes and are beneficial for improving ventilation or facilitating an easy conversion from one fuel type to another.
Fireplace Styles, Material Options, and Their Restrictions
All the aforementioned fireplace types can be adapted to traditional, modern, and transitional home styles by carefully selecting materials for the hearth, surround, and mantel. When choosing materials, it is crucial to adhere to building codes and select non-combustible materials to ensure safety and durability.
Excellent fireplace material options include:
- Brick
- Stone
- Tile
- Marble
- Plaster
- Concrete
- Granite
- Steel
Of course, wood mantels and built-ins can be incorporated into the design, provided they are spaced a proper, safe distance from the firebox opening to comply with fire safety regulations.