TYPOLOGIES Types of Fireplaces
GROUP I
EAAQ 3131
There are
19+ Types of fireplaces
Mounting Fuel Style Material These parameters will guide how we classify fireplaces
PARAMETERS Mounting Fuel Style
How and where is the fireplace fixed?
Material
EX.
Free-standing, Built-in, Wall mounted
Mounting 1. Free-standing Fireplace It has a modern look, designed to emulate the look of a traditional built-in fireplace. It usually comes with a mantel. Depending on the fuel type, the free-standing fireplace can either be attached to the ceiling (if ventilation is required) or wall or entirely free-standing.
Mounting 2. Built In Insert If you have an existing fireplace that you wish to change the fuel to burn without completely removing it, say from gas to wood, a wood insert fireplace would suffice. This is often the case with home reconstructions.
Mounting 3. Hanging Fireplace It is hung from the ceiling, and it creates an eye-catching focal point in your home. You can also use it for decorative purposes as it works perfectly for a beautiful interior structure.
Mounting 4. Two Sided Fireplace It allows you to heat two spaces at once, and in the case of a wood burning, the wood can be fed in from either side. You can use this playful design to divide/define two living spaces without completely separating them.
Other methods of Mounting
Tabletop Fireplace
Open hearth fireplace
PARAMETERS Mounting Fuel Style
What does your fireplace burn?
Material
EX.
wood, gas, Eletricity, Ethanol
Fuel
1. Wood
It’s the oldest fuel used in fireplaces, usually used in open hearth or with chimneys for ventilation. The downsides of wood is the cost of maintenance and regular cleaning required.
Fuel
2. Gas This could either be burning liquid propane or natural gas and can use chimney ventilation or be unvented. It’s easier to install and cheap to maintain although it might emit some contaminants while burning.
Fuel
3. Electricity This type of fireplace heat your home by heating interior coils with electricity. Some have fans that help distribute heat throughout the room They don’t have flames but employ a ‘fake flame.’ This helps to give the fireplace a realistic look and feel of a flame. You’ll also have a crackling ‘fake’ log with your flickering flame to make it appear like a real fire.
Fuel
4. Ethanol This fireplace works similar to a gel fireplace, however have an option to control the temperature unlike gel fireplaces. An ethanol fireplace requires liquid bio ethanol fuel. It comes with tank of about 2 liters that is refilled for repeated use.
Fuel
5. Gel This fireplace requires a can of gel fuel to burn. Which means you don’t need any lines, venting, electrical wires, or even pipes. It’s a versatile product, mainly because it’s self-sufficient. It’s pretty lightweight, which makes it easy for you to mount this fireplace on your wall. It produces an actual flame.
PARAMETERS Mounting Fuel Style
What genre is the fireplace inspired by?
Material
EX.
Modern, Traditional
Style
1. Traditional It’s generally constructed with regular bricks and stones. This style of fireplace dictates a more natural environment with a rustic, cozy ambiance. To convey that “traditional” genre, they often burn wood
Style 2. Modernist
The preference is more towards modern materials like glass and marble, and they usually lack traditional brick or stone materials. Their designs are innovative, with sleek looks
Style 3. Contemporary
This style of fireplace is defined by a universal appeal, which comes with sharp and well-defined lines. Use of materials is careful and considerate
PARAMETERS Mounting Fuel Style
What is your fireplace made of, or finished with?
Material
EX. Plaster, Marble, Brick, Ledge stone
Material 1. Marble
This is a premium material that most modern fireplaces are made of; you’ll get a high-end look with marble that gives it a full dramatic effect.
Material 2. Fieldstone
Features haphazard stone arrangement giving you a natural, rustic, vintage outlook. A fieldstone fireplace helps to create a warm tradition-style feel, which is excellent for dressing up your living room.
Material 3. Ledge stone
There’s a clear order in stone laying which gives you a contemporary modern look
Material 4. Brickwork (with wood)
This material combination gives a timeless, traditional style of fireplace, especially this exposed brick look. It is combined with a wood mantel and wood mill work for creating an upscale, contemporary design.
Material 5. Concrete/plaster finish
This is a modernist look that you should consider to create a contemporary, minimalist look and if you have another aspect of your house you wish to draw attention to.
Material 6. Metal // Steel
This emerged in the post industrial era, where steel was popularized as a construction material. It is used mostly with built-in inserts, wall hung and ceiling hung fireplaces
So, how would you classify this type of fireplace?
Wall mounted Wooden Mantel Steel Gas burning Modernist
REFERENCES Sudarshan Kar, (August 14, 2019), Homesthethics. https://homesthethics.net/types-of-fireplaces/
Jessica Stone, (April 22, 2021); UpgradedHome. https://upgradedhome.com/types-of-fireplaces/
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