Fire is an elemental force of nature. From the beginning, we came to respect fire and learned to tame it for our use. Traditionally, fire has been used for cooking and heating. Both of these activities brought people together in a shared space. For many, the love of gathering around a fire has endured long after we found other ways to cook and stay warm. Fireplaces still hold a special place in the home. They evoke memories of holiday gatherings. They offer a refuge on a cold, damp day. We still love to curl up in front of a warm, cozy fireplace and retreat and relax. Fortunately, with today’s new technology, there are numerous ways to plan for your fireplace.
A few things to consider before we start:
- What room or rooms do you plan for a fireplace?
- Is this room on an outside wall or interior?
- What floor is it on?
- How will the fireplace be fueled?
- Wood
- Will there be access for venting to go straight up and above the roofline?
- Gas
- Natural gas
- Is natural gas already piped into the house?
- Propane
- Is there an existing propane tank or will you need to add one?
- Natural gas
- Electric
- Can you easily run an electric line to the space? 120V or 220V
- Wood
A wood burning fireplace has historically been the choice of many. Nothing replicates the sight, sound and smell of burning wood. If this is the experience you desire, there are a few considerations. Are you going to build a masonry fireplace of brick or stone which would include a chimney? If so, your local code will require that the chimney extend beyond the top of the house. If you do not want the expense of a custom built fireplace, you can use a manufactured firebox. These are built to withstand the heat and require a vent pipe that also must go straight up and out above the roofline. One side benefit of this option is that you can easily convert this to a vented gas fire if desired at a later date.
A vented gas fireplace is a good alternative for those who don’t want the mess of burning wood and do not want to search for firewood. You would still need a vented firebox and a way to run vent piping straight up and out. Gas however offers many advantages. It is easy to use. It turns on and off with a remote control that also allows you to adjust the flames. It is much cleaner than burning wood both in the home and environmentally. Gas also allows for different design elements such as crushed glass, river stone or the very popular cannonball look. Vented gas fires offer a robust and realistic flame.
With any vented product there will be a constant draft created by the chimney that is designed to draw smoke and byproducts out of the house.
If you are placing your fireplace on an interior wall or somewhere where there is no easy access for venting, a non-vented fireplace is for you. These can be placed in many locations and are less expensive due to not requiring any venting. (There are some restrictions on where these can be placed). These sets are designed to burn off the byproducts that result from gas combustion. In order to accomplish this, the flames are not as robust. Since these fireboxes are sealed, all of the heat and some of the odor will come into the home.
Many people find direct vent fireplaces to be a great alternative. These units combine the best elements of vented and non-vented fireplaces. They are completely sealed units having a piece of glass on the front of the unit. They require venting but the vent does not need to go above the roofline. They can be vented directly through the wall and outside. The venting has a pipe within a pipe so the fire is fed by clean outside air and all the byproducts are vented outside. These units act like your furnace utilizing the heat from the fire to warm air which is then sent into the room. Some also have radiant glass which provides heat in heat waves straight into the room. The results are a very realistic flame and efficient heating. Most of these can be customized to match your decor. If you plan on the fireplace being a focal point in your room this is a great choice.
Electric fireplaces have become increasingly popular and therefore there are numerous options available, many online. Each manufacturer has their own technology for creating the flame. There is a wide range of quality, appearance and price.
We highly recommend visiting a local Viridien Patio + Fireplace showroom that has several selections on display so you can easily find the look you prefer.
