Fireplaces have been a traditional architectural feature of a home. Fireplaces originally provided heat for cooking and also to keep the house warm. Fireplaces maintained the same basic design for thousands of years. In the 16th century, the idea of ​​raising firewood on a grate improved the effectiveness of fireplace heating. Ben Franklin implemented the following improvement in chimney design. The Franklin stove, built with cast iron, captured more heat from the burned wood. Earl Rumford modified the chimney by creating a tall, shallow box, which resulted in greater radiant efficiency. Fireplaces are now available with advanced options and features to meet any design or lifestyle need. The following five fireplaces are the most popular:

Wood burning fireplaces

Wood burning fireplaces are masonry or factory built inserts. Masonry fireplaces are labor intensive and are built on site with firebrick, cinder block, clay fireplace liners, and brick or stone, depending on the environment. Masonry fireplaces generally include a hearth, mantel, grate, firebox, and hatch.

Fireplace inserts are manufactured off-site and are easier to install. The fireplace inserts use a double-walled steel fireplace that is lightweight and easy to install.

Gas fireplaces

Gas fireplaces come in a wide variety of styles to meet any decorating requirement. There are three main types of gas fireplaces: direct vented, ventless, and inserts. Gas fireplaces can be double-sided or in any unique shape to make a design statement for a room. Directly vented gas fireplaces use outside air for combustion. Since gas fireplaces have electronic ignition, some have remote controls or thermostats to create a comfortable room temperature.

Ventless fireplaces provide better options for placing fireplaces in rooms that may not have access to an exterior wall or to a fireplace. Ventless fireplaces are extremely efficient, as no heat is lost through the flu gas. However, the room provides the oxygen necessary for combustion. Some building codes require fresh air sources for unvented fireplaces.

Directly vented chimneys use outside air for combustion. This type of fireplace has the option of venting through a wall to the outside instead of a chimney, which reduces the labor for installation. Advanced DIYers can successfully install a direct vent fireplace, with the help of a plumber for the gas connection.

Pellet fireplaces

Pellet fireplace inserts have become more popular as a source of heat for a room and due to the improved efficiency of a pellet fire over a traditional wood fire. Pellet fireplace inserts are available for new installations and modifications to older masonry fireplaces. Pellet fireplaces offer the advantage of controlled combustion through pellets supplied through a hopper to the combustion chamber. Some models are thermostatically controlled with electronic ignition.

Electrical smokestack

For greater comfort and ease of installation, electric fireplaces offer new alternatives. The new electric fireplaces have a more realistic fire appearance than previous models. Most electric fireplaces have built-in electric heaters to help provide heat to a room.

Gel fireplaces

A ventless gel fireplace offers the option of a real fire with the portability of an electric fireplace. Gel fireplaces are starting to gain popularity with buyers who want a real fire, but want the ease and mobility of an electric fireplace.