Discover the Different Types of Indoor Fireplaces
A fireplace can be a great addition to any home. Having an indoor fireplace has a lot of great benefits. They offer a cozy warmth and can be the perfect place for the family to gather. It can be a romantic spot for you and your loved one, where you can enjoy each other’s company with a glass of wine. This is a home element that you will not want to be without once you get used to it.
Wood Burning Fireplaces
Many people say that wood-burning fireplaces are irreplaceable, and they may be right. Nothing can replace or replicate the sound of crackling wood, the smell of the wood and the excellent visuals it projects. Plus, the preparation process to light it up gives a sense of satisfaction when you do it on your first try. Wood burning fireplaces come in different styles.
Open Hearth
This is the oldest type that has existed for many centuries, accompanied by a good fire poker set to keep it neat. It’s made out of stone or brick, and this gives it its authenticity. It’s an open-faced box installed in the wall connected to a chimney to vent out the heavy smoke from the wood. The decorative façade is called the mantle, and it usually comes with a shelf above the fireplace. People often use this shelf to put clocks, vases, or other garments that complement the fireplace.
There is always a protective layer of stone or brick in front of the fireplace to stop flying embers from damaging the floor or causing a fire. If you don’t already have an open-hearth fireplace and want to build one, it will be a lot of work but worth the effort. They need to be cleaned regularly to keep everyone in the home safe.
Enclosed Fireplaces
As the word itself implies, these are closed fireplaces. It has a large glass panel that allows you to see the fire at any time. It’s designed to keep the heat in the room instead of going out of the chimney. It gives out the same warm and cozy feeling as the open-hearth type and uses wood or wood pellets as fuel to keep it going.
Fireplace Inserts
These inserts are designed as metal boxes that you can insert into your existing fireplace by sliding them into the opening. Its purpose is to improve the heating capacity, safety and efficiency. The electric blower enhances heat distribution and makes the house warmer. It’s made out of steel or cast iron and may have a glass panel that allows you to look at the burning wood.
Stoves
They are not a typical fireplace but a good replacement for them. This alternative gives you the option to heat the space with wood without digging up the wall and installing a fireplace. They are free-standing boxes made out of cast iron or solid steel. A pipe has to come out of the box and connect to a chimney to vent the smoke. They require less wood than the fireplace and give out more heat when compared to them. You get the wood inside from the latch door that keeps the embers inside, away from the flooring, with some help from the fire poker set. You can use it to heat some water, make soups, boil eggs or sometimes even cook whole meals.
Gas Burning Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are becoming more and more popular all over the world. They are a safe and efficient option that will look beautiful in your home. Depending on your preferences, they can be fueled by propane or natural gas. Nevertheless, they emit real and consistent fire that will warm up your space and make it feel more inviting. They cost less and are easier to install. There are two types of gas-burning fireplaces.
Vented
This type can have its vents connect to an existing chimney, or you can build a chimney of its own. Often people use just pipes, so they don’t have to make any changes to the room and the structure. They can be a perfect addition to high-efficiency homes that are well-sealed.
Ventless
These fireplaces are easy to install because they don’t require a chimney or vent. You can install them anywhere you want. The only downside is their output. It’s lower than the traditional wood fireplaces.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are easy to install and are pretty inexpensive. They need a plug on the wall, and you’ll have the heat. They are great for people who like pleasing aesthetics but don’t want to bother with chopping wood, cleaning or maintaining the fireplace. They don’t give out a lot of heat compared to other heat sources., it’s more decorative. Electric fireplaces have LED lights installed to create the illusion of burning wood and flame through colour change. The newer models even have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth speakers as a feature. They are adjusted and controlled by remote control.
Mantel Electric Fireplaces
These fireplaces mimic a built-in fireplace and don’t require a chimney.
TV Stands and Entertainment Centers
This media furniture comes with the ability to resemble a fireplace. It’s a combination of practical and elegant, suitable for smaller apartments and houses.
Infrared Fireplaces
Infrared fireplaces use quartz heating technology to heat the room. You’ll also have the option for visual effects and a thermostat controller.
In Summary
It’s essential to clean and maintain every type of fireplace properly. This way, it’ll last for a long time, and you can enjoy it for many years to come.