Types of Fireplace. What kind of fireplace should I get?

What type of fireplace is best for you? This is a question many homeowners ask themselves when they are deciding what to do with their living room. There are many different options that you can choose from, but the decision will depend on your personal preference and budget. We have compiled this list of types of fireplaces so that you can compare and contrast them and decide which one might be the perfect choice for your home.

Fireplaces are a great way to stay warm, but they also have a beautiful aesthetic. There are many different types of fireplaces that you can choose from when designing your home or office space. If you’re not sure what type of fireplace is best for you, read this blog post to learn about the wide variety of options available!

What kind of fireplace should I get?

It depends on your needs. Some common types are:

Conventional Fireplace

A conventional fireplace is a masonry heater that uses wood as its fuel. The fire produces heat and smoke, which flows into the room before it escapes through an opening in the wall or roof vent.

Direct Vent Fireplaces

Like gas-fired fireplaces, direct vent units are sealed units with no flue to draft up. They can be vented by the natural chimneys (passing outside) or forced air ducts (inside). Since they’re not connected to your house’s ventilation system directly, some models require power exhaust fans for proper operation.

Types of Fireplace

– Biomass fireplaces are ideal for areas that have a wet climate. They work by burning wood, peat, or biomass pellets to produce heat and smoke. The smoke is then diverted outside through a chimney flue which warms the air inside your home, making it more comfortable during the winter months.

Pellet stoves are also an example of biomass fireplace type since they use compressed wood into pellet form as a fuel source.

Bioethanol fireplaces are another version of this type where ethanol liquid instead of solid biofuel is used as a fuel source in order to generate energy for heating space within building structures when needed or wanted.

Electric fireplaces are also used in areas with moist climates, but instead of burning wood or any other material, they use electricity to produce heat inside a building structure.

The gas fireplace uses natural gas as its main fuel source which is burned in order to create the necessary energy needed for heating space within your home during winter time when it’s cold outside.
This type of electric fire can be either vented into chimney flue system just like biomass and bioethanol types above, but it could also be installed without being directly attached to chimneys – making them perfect for installation in homes that have already been built before this option was available on the market.
Wood burning stoves are similar to gas fireplaces except they don’t use natural gas as a fuel source, but instead they use logs and wood chips which are burned in order to produce heat for heating space within your home.
Electric fireplaces do not have vents or chimneys because all of the necessary gases that provide the energy needed for heating air inside a building structure are released into open air during the combustion process.
Pellet stoves can be used as an example of this fireplace type since pellets are the main ingredient being used as a fuel source when it comes to burning them down in order to create enough energy for efficient heating.

You need electricity from wall sockets to actually activate the stove’s boiler – one push on the button activates the whole system, making the pellet stove easy and efficient to use.

Bioethanol fireplaces are another example of wood fireplace type since ethanol liquids instead of solid fuels are used as the main energy source – burn them down in order to produce heat for heating space within your home during winter time when it’s cold outside.
These types of stoves can be either vented into chimney flue systems just like some biomass and bioethanol types above, but they could also be installed without being directly attached to chimneys making them perfect for installation in homes that have already been built before this option was available on the market.
Gas fireplace works by burning gas (natural or propane) which is converted into thermal energy providing efficient heating space inside a building structure.
This wood fireplace type has a system that forces air into the area where combustion occurs, resulting in increased efficiency and fewer emissions during the burning process – making it eco-friendly as well as efficient to use even on high heating levels.

Environmental Protection

Today, there are many ways to look at the environment. One of them is protecting our planet by reducing carbon emissions and living a sustainable lifestyle. Fireplaces can be an area where you make improvements to your home or apartment without too much effort. For example, if you have traditional fireplace inserts it means that you’re burning wood in order to heat up the surroundings which emit more CO than other types of fireplaces do.

It may not seem like much but over time this will cause damage – especially if several people live inside these quarters for extended periods of time due to its high risk for contamination with harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO). Not only does this affect the individual breathing it in, but also those around them who could be suffering from some form of respiratory disease.

It is important to try and make a change by looking at different options such as electric, gas, or even wood stove fireplaces which emit far fewer carbon emissions into the air compared to traditional ones. As well as this, they work on electricity but do not need any installation making them very easy for anyone with basic DIY skills – all you have to do is plug it in! If you want more information about these types of fireplaces feels free to reach out today!

Safety Tips for Fireplace Use

Do not leave children unattended in front of the fireplace. Keep little ones away from the hearth at all times when a fire is burning. This includes even if it’s just embers or ashes remaining. Children may be drawn to play with them, but they are extremely hot and can cause severe injuries if touched bare-handed.
Keep water nearby for emergencies where you need to extinguish your fire quickly due to careless behavior or an accident that occurs around the fireplace area. A bucket full of sand also works great as well! Make sure there is enough room between you and any heat sources like walls, curtains, etc before attempting this though since most fires require quite some time to die down once the flames are out.
When burning candles, make sure to place them on a heat-resistant surface away from anything that may catch fire as well as pets and kids who might knock into or play with the candle. Also, be careful not to burn yourself since wax is extremely hot! It’s best to use a lighter if possible, but matches can also do the trick too in emergencies when you don’t have either of those tools available for whatever reason. Just remember never leave your match or lighter unattended while it is still lit because they could easily cause more damage than intended by simply being forgotten about until someone gets burned due to carelessness.
Keep all flammable items like furniture at least three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, and stovetops. This includes candles too! If you have a fireplace in your home it is highly recommended to place some sort of covering over the hearth area because even though they are beautiful additions to any decor there’s still plenty of risks involved with them just due to their nature alone which makes this precaution worth practicing for safety purposes each time you use your fireplace whether or not anyone else will be present at the time.
Make sure that anything placed on top of or hanging directly above your mantel isn’t something easily knocked down by children playing around since many times things get damaged accidentally during these accidents either from being bumped into while standing upright postures aren’t held well enough or knocked over when the kids are running around. It’s not always children who do this either, accidents can happen with adults too!
It’s best to only burn seasoned wood which is much less likely to produce sparks than unseasoned logs but if you must use one of these instead then make sure it’s at least 12 inches long and split into pieces that will fit within your firebox without blocking airflow. If you use an electric fireplace heater then follow all manufacturer instructions for proper usage as recommended since there should be plenty of safety precautions involved after installation so read carefully through each step before attempting anything first off.
Never leave a fire unattended simply because it doesn’t provide any immediate dangers as other appliances do. Fires are extremely unpredictable and can quickly cause more damage than you would expect even if there is no one else present in the room to be harmed during this time either which means it’s still best to practice all safety precautions regularly as a general rule of thumb for your own protection above anything else!
Make sure that any wood placed on top of or next to an already burning fire has been allowed enough time to dry out before doing so, otherwise, water vapor may result from its heat causing smoke which could lead to further problems down the line such as carbon monoxide poisoning too depending upon where exactly these new logs land after they’ve caught flame. This makes sense because adding wet materials onto fires isn’t at all advisable since most times they only lead to more trouble since they won’t burn as well as expected.
It’s often best not to leave a fire unattended at all during the night even if you think it will be safe enough or that nothing bad could happen due to your absence, but rather opt for keeping it going until morning when all of the house occupants are awake and active once again instead of in order to prevent any unexpected fires from occurring which can easily occur without notice otherwise! This makes sense because leaving a fireplace burning overnight with no one around is just asking for something terrible like an explosion or worse yet carbon monoxide poisoning too so don’t do this unless everyone else who lives here agrees upon doing so beforehand.

FAQs

What type of fireplace is the best choice for my home?

Fireside design experts have identified three types of fireplaces. The most common, a free-standing wood-burning stove with a firebox and hearth, requires at least 18 inches from any wall or combustible surface to ensure safety. Other options include a masonry heater which may be freestanding or built into an exterior wall and can hold multiple fuel sources besides wood such as coal, pellets, natural gas, and oil. Gas logs are another safe option that brings flames similar to those seen in traditional fires but without live flame or embers because they’re fueled by propane gas that comes through pipes from outside the home. Each offers unique advantages depending on your needs.

What are the benefits of a freestanding wood-burning stove with a firebox and hearth?

A free-standing wood-burning stove can be placed against any wall or combustible surface, but it must have at least 18 inches from either to ensure safety. This type is ideal for homes that aren’t centrally heated because they hold enough heat to keep up to one thousand square feet warm on their own. With no venting required, homeowners may also enjoy lower energy bills compared to an attached unit since there isn't as much loss through air exchange inside the home. They work best in single-story homes built on concrete slabs without radiant floor heating systems.

How do I make sure my new gas logs are safe?

Gas log starter kits come with a safety pilot that lights the gas and keeps it flowing when you turn on your fireplace. If the pilot goes out, automated electronic controls shut off the flow of gas before any potential problems can occur.

How is a masonry heater different than other options?

Masonry heaters not only add ambiance to homes but also offer superior energy efficiency compared to traditional wood-burning fires by using larger pieces of firewood which generate more heat per load and require less maintenance, like refilling for example. They’re usually made from clay or cast stone such as soapstone (a type of metamorphic rock) in order to retain warmth long after they’ve been turned off. Because they’re built into exterior walls, homeowners can expect to see a return on their investment in as little as three years due to the lower utility bills that accompany them. And because masonry heaters are much larger than standard fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, they offer supplemental heating for up one thousand square feet of living space depending on your home’s layout and insulation type.

What is a gas log starter kit?

A gas log starter kit makes it easy to build an inviting fireplace with just a few simple steps by providing everything you need right out of the box including all necessary valves and controls plus instructions so you don't have to be intimidated about hooking things up. For best results, the kit should be installed by a professional as it requires gas lines and electrical wiring to light from an exterior control panel.

How much space do I need for my new fireplace?

In order to make sure your new fireplace is safe and functional, see what type of hearth you’ll have first because each has its own minimum size requirement based on local building codes that must be followed before installation can begin. The hearth should extend at least 36 inches in front of the firebox opening but no more than 18 inches out from either side wall or combustible surface so there's enough room around your unit for everyone's safety while also giving ample space behind it where heat won't escape into other parts of your home.

What are the benefits of a masonry heater?

What are the benefits of gas logs?

Gas log starter kits make it easy to build an inviting fireplace with just a few simple steps by providing everything you need right out of the box including all necessary valves and controls plus instructions so you don't have to be intimidated about hooking things up. For best results, the kit should be installed by a professional as it requires gas lines and electrical wiring to light from an exterior control panel. Gas log starter kits come with a safety pilot that lights the gas and keeps it flowing when you turn on your fireplace making it easy to turn on and off without worrying about a flame going out. They also come with the burners pre-assembled so you can get your new fireplace up and running quickly, too.

What is a gas log starter kit?

A gas log starter kit makes it easy to build an inviting fireplace by providing everything you need right out of the box including all necessary valves and controls plus instructions so you don't have to be intimidated about hooking things up. For best results, the kit should be installed by a professional as it requires gas lines and electrical wiring to light from an exterior control panel. Gas log starter kits come with a safety pilot that lights the gas and keeps it flowing when you turn on your fireplace making it easy to turn on and off without worrying about a flame going out. They also come with the burners pre-assembled so you can get your new fireplace up and running quickly, too.

What is a masonry heater?

Masonry heaters not only add ambiance to homes but also offer superior energy efficiency compared to traditional wood-burning fires by using larger pieces of firewood which generate more heat per load and require less maintenance, like refilling for example. They’re usually made from clay or cast stone in order to retain warmth long after they’ve been turned off. Because they're built into exterior walls, homeowners can expect to see a return on their investment in as little as three years due to the lower utility bills that accompany them. And because masonry heaters are much larger than standard fireplaces and wood-burning stoves, they offer supplemental heating for up one thousand square feet of living space depending on your home's layout and insulation type.

Conclusion

While there are many different types of fireplaces, the most important thing for a homeowner to consider is how they will be used. If you want a fireplace that stays warm all day and burns fuel efficiently, then an infrared type would be best.