Fireplace Design Basics

The hearth is probably the best place to start. A hearth might be flat with the floor, raised a bit above the floor, or even situated below the level of the floor. Additionally, there might not even be a hearth incorporated into the fireplace design. In those cases the firebox should be at least two inches above the floor, as the hearth is there to protect the flooring from the heat of the fire. Another type of hearth may include various kinds of heart seats. The more contemporary fireplace type using hearth seats feature two blocks on both sides of the opening of the firebox.

Complimenting the various kinds of of hearths, the styles of fireboxes mostly affect the relative height in relation to the floor and / or the hearth. You'll find raised fireboxes, flush fireboxes built level in height with the floor, along with dropped fireboxes that are found below than the hearth and / or floor in front of the fireplace area.

At long last we have fireplace openings, which is otherwise known as the fireplace surround and where the mantle can be found. The design of this opening may change alot; from flat, straight, rectangular shaped and full arch along with the more common fireplace openings with a u-shape design. We'll spend some time on a bit of the differences now:

• The most frequently used kind of opening is rectangular designed openings. Generally, this kind of opening will be just that - rectangular in shape. However, even with this style of openings, the sides commonly open outward from the firebox facing towards the fireplace.



• Flat arch top openings with straight sides, yet the opening has an arch style. As with more traditional rectangular opening, the sides typically open outward from the firebox towards the front of the fireplace.



• Full arch fireplace openings without straight lines. This kind of opening have one continuous bend all around the fireplace opening. This is the type of opening you are used to finding in American Southwestern fashioned fireplaces.



• Corner fireplaces allow for a couple open sides to the fireplace. Just as the name advises, corner openings are located in a manner that the exposure of the entire corner section of the firebox.



• Also, u-shaped openings in which the firebox is revealed on three sides: the face, as well as the two side areas. These last two designs of fireplaces will by and large produce more heat radiation. If you plan on heating your home, these are in all likelihood the more advisable fire place designs to take a look at.

Clearly, they're many unique types of designs for fireplaces. Of course, they're goods and bads with all of them, hence take your time when choosing the firebox, hearth and opening of the fireplace. With the best design, you can not only increase the warmness of your living area, you'll also make the living area more cozy.