Table of Contents
An open-hearth fireplace typically has a decorative exterior facade, called a mantle, which often includes a decorative shelf at the top. The mantle may be made of brick, stone, adobe, concrete, wood, or other materials.
What is the difference between a hearth and fireplace?
A fireplace is a place inside or outside a structure that is safe to build a fire. It is at the base of a chimney and is usually made of stone or brick. A hearth can be the floor of a fireplace, where the actual fire sits and burns.
What are the four types of fireplaces?
There are four types of fireplaces: Wood-burning, gas-burning, electric and ethanol-burning fireplace.
What are the different kinds of fireplaces?
Design Guide: The Different Types of Fireplaces Electric Fireplaces. An electric fireplace is simply an electric heater that mimics a fireplace burning coal or wood. Gas Fireplaces. Gas Log Fireplaces. Gas Fireplace Inserts. Wood Fireplace. Fireplace Mantels. Fireplace Surrounds. Outdoor Fireplaces.
What is an open-hearth zero clearance fireplace?
Zero clearance means the fireplace has its own insulation and it needs zero inches of clearance (distance) from combustible materials in the home. Basically a zero clearance fireplace is a self-contained firebox that is designed to be installed almost anywhere in your home.
What is the purpose of a hearth?
The main purpose of the fireplace hearth is for safety. Obviously, open flames can be a hazard when around combustible materials, so a fire must be placed upon a fire resistant surface that wont crack. The part of the hearth that extends outwards serves a purpose, too.
What’s an example of hearth?
The definition of a hearth is a fireplace or the area in front of or surrounding a fireplace. A fireplace and its surrounding area is an example of a hearth. The fireplace or brazier of a blacksmith’s forge. The floor of a fireplace, usually extending into a room and paved with brick, flagstone, or cement.
How do I know what type of fireplace I have?
Each fireplace and insert has a rating plate which contains your model number and serial number. Gas and wood burning fireplaces have a rating plate in the control compartment area, under the smoke shield or on the firebox side column.
Which fireplace is the best?
Best Overall: Gas Burning While each type of fireplace has its own advantages that may work better for your needs, if you just want something that’s simple to use, not too expensive or tricky to maintain and provides a good amount of heat output, a gas-burning fireplace is your winner.
What kind of fireplace is safest?
Fire safety starts with the type of fireplace you buy. Electric fireplaces are hands down the safest option for families with children or pets. Gas, gel, and ethanol are also safer for children and pets. Wood-burning fireplaces, on the other hand, can be very dangerous if used improperly.
What is the latest trend in fireplaces?
The see-through glass fireplace (also called a four-sided glass fireplace) is another functional and sophisticated trend in 2022 fireplace designs. It falls in step with other popular fireplace styles, and its clean, linear designs will bring warmth and light to a contemporary space.
Why do new homes not have fireplaces?
Modern homes do not have enough draft in order to keep a wood fireplace lit. They will go out. This is because space heaters replaced fireplaces for energy efficiency, so new forms of insulation have replaced asbestos and fiberglass such as foam.
What is the fireplace in a house called?
hearth. noun. the floor of a fireplace in a house and the area around it.
How do I know if my fireplace has zero clearance?
The most obvious way of identifying a zero clearance fireplace is the existence of black metal, either exposed on the face or inside the firebox (Fig. #6). Some fireplace manufacturers are doing a better job of hiding the metal and making fireplaces that look more like masonry (Fig. #7).
Does a zero clearance fireplace need a hearth?
Zero-Clearance Fireplaces are pre-manufactured fireplaces where the unit or firebox can be placed almost directly against combustible materials like wood, walls, or paneling. Zero-Clearance Fireplaces do not require a hearth in order to function properly.
Can you put a wood stove in a zero clearance fireplace?
Typically a woodstove will not fit within the original opening for a zero-clearance fireplace and still meet safe fire clearance distances unless it is quite small and unless adequate heat shielding can be installed.
Should a fireplace have a hearth?
A hearth is typically found with traditional open fireplaces but isn’t found with some other types of fireplaces, so do you need a hearth for your fireplace? A fireplace hearth is a necessity for all solid fuel burning fireplaces, including wood burning fireplaces and stoves.
Is hearth required for fireplace?
Keep in mind that your wood-burning fireplace, however, definitely should have a hearth. A hearth helps protect your home from errant sparks that could turn an evening of roasting chestnuts into a traumatizing visit from the fire department.
Does a hearth have to be raised?
Is a hearth necessary for a log burner or stove? If you have any solid fuel burning stove, it is absolutely vital that you have the correct hearth for it to sit on. For this reason, regulations also state your hearth should be ‘visually apparent’, with the edge ideally raised above the level of the floor.
