Fireplace Designs & Construction

There are many fireplace designs & types and incorporating the beauty of fire anywhere into a home, interior or exterior, is a fantastic solution to design needs. There’s no doubt that the fireplace is the focal point of any room. People gather around a fireplace for conversation and family bonding. This centerpiece of the home is aesthetic as well as a practical feature. It was during the Victorian period when the visual appeal of fireplaces became very important and many masterpieces were created. Over the years, as housing changed, so did fireplaces. Many new designs emerged which reduced air pollution, increased the level of safety and the overall burn efficiency was improved. Over the years, I have assembled a large collection of fireplace photos, which aid in designing your masterpiece.

Another website that provides exceptional fireplace designs is
Standout Fireplace Designs. They offer ideas for traditional/non-traditional and innovative fireplace designs for creating your own unique fireplace.

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Masonry Fireplace Designs
The most traditional of fireplaces is the masonry, wood burning design. The sensation of direct heat and the mesmerizing dancing and flickering of a wood fire makes its use most pleasurable during cold conditions.

It is very important to have a screen in front of a wood burning fire. This will prevent embers from landing on a combustible floor since they will fall onto the hearth (masonry) when they hit the screen and it prevents children from getting too close to the fire.

Pre-Fabricated Fireplaces
In new homes, many fireplace designs are prefabricated from metal with a metal flue and installed in wood frame walls. Typically, they have a metal firebox with a fire-resistant barrier on the interior.

Gas logs can be installed in almost any wood burning fireplace and can be natural gas or propane (LPG)(make sure you order the right one since they are different). They have ceramic logs and a burner that produces a glowing natural flame.

Vented Gas Fireplaces
A vented gas fireplace has a metal chimney. These cannot be used for wood burning, however typically have very attractive & real looking flames.

Direct Vent Gas Fireplace
A direct vent gas fireplace can be vented out a side wall or vertically to the roof. They are very efficient since they do not use any indoor air for combustion.

Ventless Fireplace
The ventless fireplace design does not have a chimney. They are an inexpensive choice and are designed for aesthetic appeal, however cannot be used as a heat source.

Outdoor Fireplace & Fire-Pits
An outdoor fireplace is an excellent way to share fun times with friends and family. They are often made the focal point of an outdoor entertainment area. Many porches have built-in fireplaces in today’s upper end homes.

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Woodstoves
A woodstove is basically a metal container for a fire. Modern woodstoves are airtight and the combustion air that feeds the fire can be controlled. This allows a woodstove to be more efficient than a traditional open fireplace.

Ventless Gel-Fueled
They are easy to install and portable. They do not require any power or a gas source. Relatively inexpensive compared to gas & wood burning fireplaces. They are primarily a decorative appliance, not a significant heat source.

Electric Fireplace
They are easy to install and portable. You can install them anywhere there is a power source. It can even be installed in areas where the traditional wood burning fireplace cannot fit. And, unlike the other fireplaces, the electrically-powered fireplace can be placed even near some combustible materials, such as carpets, plastics, wood, paper and others. They are primarily a decorative appliance, not a significant heat source.


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