Prefabricated or factory made fireplaces.

Which ever terminology you wish to use manufactured fireboxes is gaining popularity in the fireplace market. Prefabricated fireboxes are not only more efficient and stylish but they come in a surprising array of designs. These fireboxes can be fueled with wood, gas and even electricity. Prefab fireboxes are available in single faced and see through versions both for indoor and outdoor applications. These fireplaces can be faced with any type of materials. It’s ease of installation and costs saving options offer a very competitive alternative to masonry units. If you wish to learn more about prefabricated fireboxes please click here.

 

 

Masonry Firebox with firebricks.

Masonry fireplaces.

A conventional masonry fireplace needs to be constructed on site by a qualified fireplace installer.  If you embark on building a traditional masonry fireplace that is constructed from bricks, concrete and stones, you have to consider that this type of fireplaces are heavy (up to 7 tons) so they will require a foundation. Excavating and pouring a reinforced concrete is not as cost effective as installing a light weight prefab firebox that doesn’t require a footing. With masonry fireplaces the fire is burning in a site built box that is constructed from refractory bricks and mortar. A lintel or metal angle iron is on the top of the firebox opening to support the weight of its walls. If you wish to learn more about masonry fireplaces please click here.

 

Modular component fireplaces and pre-engineered masonry fireplaces.

This is basically the combination of two above mentioned ideas. For one part, modular component fireplaces are considered masonry. And for the second part these fireplaces are pre-assembled in factory (at least to some degree), so you just simply have to stack the square blocks one on top of the other and mortar together. The pieces fits together easily to create a masonry fireplace “skeleton” that can be faced with a multitude of veneer choice. Modular component fireplace manufacturers, such as Isokern or FireRock build these modules with Icelandic volcanic stone mined from the Hekla volcano, yielding the fireplaces much better insulating and heat output values.

 

When you begin planning your fireplace, you will have to think about two aspects of setting it up. The working parts where the fire burns and the decorative elements that surround the fireside.

 

Working part of the fireplace:

 

Ash dump or ash pit. This feature only applies to wood burning fireplaces. As an added optional feature some wood burning fireplaces were built with a system called ash dump that is located right underneath the firebox. The ash dump allows the clearing of the ash from the bottom of the firebox so you don’t need to carry it through the house. The clean-out door is usually located either in the basement or outside the house for convenient access.

Chimney.

This is the part that wood burning fireplace can’t exist without. It carries smoke and other toxic byproducts of the fire into the atmosphere. A chimney can be made of many different materials, including concrete blocks, brick and stainless steel. The inside of a masonry chimney is usually lined either with a metal flue or clay interlocking liners. A well functioning smoke chamber is essential for creating a good draft to pull the gasses and smoke out from the firebox.

Flue. The chimney flue is the shaft in the chimney. It is the part of the chimney system that carries the smoke through the roof of your house into the air.

Firebox. This is the chamber that holds the fire. It can be built on site from fireproof bricks or ordered prefabricated as a metal box that is lined with fire resistant material.

 

Note: If you wish to save the hassle and the expense of building a masonry chimney you should check out the modern miracle called Vent-less gas fireplace that doesn’t require any chimney.

 

Damper. The damper is a movable metal plate that can be opened and closed from the firebox. It is located at the lower end of the chimney and allows you to open and close the flue. All wood burning fireplaces require having a damper installed.

 

Design and safety elements to consider.

If you already have a fireplace you only need to focus your attention to the exterior design of your fireplace. With an updated stone or brick surround and a changed style you can easily and cost effectively invigorate your old fireplace. See our fireplace design ideas page here.

 

Traditional, Baroque, country or contemporary style, with the right type of stones, mantel, furnishing and accessories you can create a warm and welcoming atmosphere that will elevate any room to be the favorite part of your home.

 

Hearth. To clear the confusion some people refers to the fireplace as a whole as hearth because manufacturers that makes fireplace products has come to be known as the ‘hearth Industry. In technical term the word hearth is referred to the floor of the firebox however, I always used the term for the area that lays front of the firebox and extends the fireplace into the room. The hearth is not only ecstatically pleasing and practical but serves a safety purpose as prevents combustible materials, such as hardwood flooring catching on fire. The fireplace hearth needs to be made from non combustible materials and needs to extend about 16” from the edge of the firebox.

 

Marble Fireplace Mantel With Brick Facing.

Mantel.

This is the exterior part of your fireplace. A mantel consists of a shelf that is mounted on the top of the fireplace along with two mantel legs on the sides of the firebox.

If you wish to learn more please check out our guide on how to choose a complementing fireplace mantel.

 

 

Fireplace shelf. Materials for fireplace shelves ranging from natural stones, such as marble granite and cast stone to a more traditional wood option. It can be one single unit or a multitude of smaller ones, protruding out to give depth to a wall or built in shelf being more functional. The material you choose for your fireplace shelf has to complement the other design elements that give the particular style and character of your fireplace. If you wish to learn more about fireplace shelves please check out our guide on how to install your own fireplace shelf.

 

Inserts. These are usually filler panels made out of a variety of non combustible materials that is installed at the sides and the top of the fireplace openings. Materials ranging from marble, granite, brick and even stucco that complement the other surrounding design elements of the fireplace.

Next page: How to build your fireplace from dressed fieldstone.

 

We Also Sell Old Chicago Bricks, Natural Stones And Other Materials. Visit Our Davie showroom.    Click Here For Materials.

 

Not a DIY? Don’t feel to install fireplace mantel on your own? Fear not, if your project is located in our Florida service area just send us an email or call us and we will give you a free price quote on any sized job.