Ask a Designer: How Do I Choose The Right Fire For My Home?
From wood burners to gas stoves, there are numerous ways to enjoy real flames this winter – whether you have a chimney or not
Once upon a time, you lit a fire in a grate, that sat within a fireplace, that was connected to a chimney, that took the smoke outside. And if you didn’t have a chimney or an existing fireplace, you didn’t have a fire. Simple as that. These days, however, no such limitations apply, with designs on the market suitable for almost every space.
Wood-burning stoves continue to gain popularity, providing lots of heat from a neatly contained unit, and there are hundreds of styles that go far beyond the traditional. Burners can sit in an existing fire surround, be inset into a wall or even suspended from the ceiling via a narrow flue, looking more space age than rustic. They can be encased behind glass or open to the air. Some can rotate, so that the fire is visible through 360 degrees, while others have all the style of a wood burner, but run on gas, so there’s no need to stack piles of logs nearby.
If you thought a fire needs a chimney like a fish needs water, think again. Today’s ventless fireplaces are units that don’t require a flue or chimney to take combustion air to the outdoors, opening up huge possibilities for where you can position them. Those fuelled by bio-ethanol typically have a small chamber below the fire bowl that contains the fuel, and they can be positioned anywhere. The only restriction is the size of the room – they need a good-sized space that has adequate ventilation.
So if you thought a fire in your home was impossible, you may be mistaken. Check out this sizzling selection of show-stopping fireplaces that warm and wow at the same time, in all kinds of places and spaces, and read advice from Houzz professionals.
Wood-burning stoves continue to gain popularity, providing lots of heat from a neatly contained unit, and there are hundreds of styles that go far beyond the traditional. Burners can sit in an existing fire surround, be inset into a wall or even suspended from the ceiling via a narrow flue, looking more space age than rustic. They can be encased behind glass or open to the air. Some can rotate, so that the fire is visible through 360 degrees, while others have all the style of a wood burner, but run on gas, so there’s no need to stack piles of logs nearby.
If you thought a fire needs a chimney like a fish needs water, think again. Today’s ventless fireplaces are units that don’t require a flue or chimney to take combustion air to the outdoors, opening up huge possibilities for where you can position them. Those fuelled by bio-ethanol typically have a small chamber below the fire bowl that contains the fuel, and they can be positioned anywhere. The only restriction is the size of the room – they need a good-sized space that has adequate ventilation.
So if you thought a fire in your home was impossible, you may be mistaken. Check out this sizzling selection of show-stopping fireplaces that warm and wow at the same time, in all kinds of places and spaces, and read advice from Houzz professionals.
Fall for a wood burner
A wood burner installed in a standard fireplace is a great way to bring a traditional feature up to date. Wood burners pump out much more heat than an open fire, and are often so efficient they are able to heat the room on their own, rather than merely supplementing central heating.
‘But don’t think you have to have an existing chimney or fireplace to have a fire,’ adds Daniel Sanders. ‘So long as you can install a metal flue up to the roof, you can have a fire almost anywhere.’
A wood burner installed in a standard fireplace is a great way to bring a traditional feature up to date. Wood burners pump out much more heat than an open fire, and are often so efficient they are able to heat the room on their own, rather than merely supplementing central heating.
‘But don’t think you have to have an existing chimney or fireplace to have a fire,’ adds Daniel Sanders. ‘So long as you can install a metal flue up to the roof, you can have a fire almost anywhere.’
Fit a firebox
Modern gas fire designs that sit
behind glass use what’s known as a balanced flue system. In a conventional fireplace, air is drawn from the room to the fire and then up and out of the chimney. It’s a one-way process. In a balanced flue fire, fumes go up the middle of the flue and air is drawn in from outside on either side.
This has several advantages. The flue pipe can be bent and shaped to fit any space, giving greater flexibility than a traditional chimney. You do generally need to fit these fires to an outside wall, but there may be no need to run the flue right up to the apex of the building – it can exit as low as 2ft off the ground. They can also be installed to work with an existing flue, so long as it is lined first.
Modern gas fire designs that sit
behind glass use what’s known as a balanced flue system. In a conventional fireplace, air is drawn from the room to the fire and then up and out of the chimney. It’s a one-way process. In a balanced flue fire, fumes go up the middle of the flue and air is drawn in from outside on either side.
This has several advantages. The flue pipe can be bent and shaped to fit any space, giving greater flexibility than a traditional chimney. You do generally need to fit these fires to an outside wall, but there may be no need to run the flue right up to the apex of the building – it can exit as low as 2ft off the ground. They can also be installed to work with an existing flue, so long as it is lined first.
Inset it
An inset fireplace is a great option, especially where space is tight, as many small-scale models are available. It offers all the design, charm and poetry of an open fireplace alongside the efficiency and economy of a freestanding stove.
This inset wood fire appears to be a screen of flame set into the wall. There’s no need for a mantelpiece or any other framing – it looks like a striking artwork while providing the warmth of a real fire.
An inset fireplace is a great option, especially where space is tight, as many small-scale models are available. It offers all the design, charm and poetry of an open fireplace alongside the efficiency and economy of a freestanding stove.
This inset wood fire appears to be a screen of flame set into the wall. There’s no need for a mantelpiece or any other framing – it looks like a striking artwork while providing the warmth of a real fire.
Build a tunnel
Tunnel fires – which puncture a wall right the way through – are designed to be viewed from several angles, so a traditional fireplace, set against a wall, cannot usually accommodate this kind of sleek, contemporary design.
It can be difficult to fit a tunnel fire into an existing chimney flue, due to its specific measurements, so installing one tends to be something you would do from scratch, building a wall around it.
Tunnel fires – which puncture a wall right the way through – are designed to be viewed from several angles, so a traditional fireplace, set against a wall, cannot usually accommodate this kind of sleek, contemporary design.
It can be difficult to fit a tunnel fire into an existing chimney flue, due to its specific measurements, so installing one tends to be something you would do from scratch, building a wall around it.
Choose a standalone design
Who said wood burners had to sit within a fireplace? Today’s cutting-edge designs allow them to be freestanding, with only a slender flue linking them to the ceiling or external wall. This little model pumps heat into the kitchen and living area from one neat, unobtrusive box.
Modern fireplaces you’ll want to light all year round
Who said wood burners had to sit within a fireplace? Today’s cutting-edge designs allow them to be freestanding, with only a slender flue linking them to the ceiling or external wall. This little model pumps heat into the kitchen and living area from one neat, unobtrusive box.
Modern fireplaces you’ll want to light all year round
Turn it round
A suspended, pivotal fire can be rotated, making it a super-versatile option, as you can turn the fire to face you, depending on how you use your space at different times of the day.
‘This particular design, the Gyrofocus, can be rotated through 360 degrees,’ says Lynda Taylor, manager of Devon-based fireplace company Diligence International. It has a fire bowl made to a standard 125cm diameter, but the flue is made to measure, to suit any space. ‘This means it can be installed almost anywhere,’ says Lynda.
A suspended, pivotal fire can be rotated, making it a super-versatile option, as you can turn the fire to face you, depending on how you use your space at different times of the day.
‘This particular design, the Gyrofocus, can be rotated through 360 degrees,’ says Lynda Taylor, manager of Devon-based fireplace company Diligence International. It has a fire bowl made to a standard 125cm diameter, but the flue is made to measure, to suit any space. ‘This means it can be installed almost anywhere,’ says Lynda.
Go for good looks all year
A fireplace has long been the focus of our living spaces, as we are drawn to the heat and light of a living flame.
This softly contemporary living room is no exception, with seating orientated to keep the gas fire within view. The black surround means it looks sharp and sleek when not in use – a big consideration, when you remember that the fire may only be lit for five or so months of the year.
White pebbles form the fire base, but you can usually choose between pebbles and logs of various sizes and shades. ‘Pebbles can look a bit lifeless when the fire is not lit,’ says Daniel Sanders. ‘Logs, made from ceramic, are incredibly realistic and the flame looks more interesting when it burns around them, too.’
A fireplace has long been the focus of our living spaces, as we are drawn to the heat and light of a living flame.
This softly contemporary living room is no exception, with seating orientated to keep the gas fire within view. The black surround means it looks sharp and sleek when not in use – a big consideration, when you remember that the fire may only be lit for five or so months of the year.
White pebbles form the fire base, but you can usually choose between pebbles and logs of various sizes and shades. ‘Pebbles can look a bit lifeless when the fire is not lit,’ says Daniel Sanders. ‘Logs, made from ceramic, are incredibly realistic and the flame looks more interesting when it burns around them, too.’
Forget about the flue
Ventless fires that run on bio-ethanol fuel can be installed in any space. ‘The room just needs to be big enough to provide decent ventilation,’ says Lynda Taylor.
The fuel is stored in a small tank beneath the fire, so there is no need to run pipes to the fireplace. ‘There is also no need for a flue or chimney, so ventless designs work well in spaces that would not have been able to include a fire before, in a block of flats, for example,’ says Lynda.
Ventless fires are clean to run and produce a moderate amount of heat. ‘They really add to the atmosphere of a space,’ says Lynda. ‘People choose them for their ability to make a room feel welcoming, more than for their heat output.’
Ventless fires that run on bio-ethanol fuel can be installed in any space. ‘The room just needs to be big enough to provide decent ventilation,’ says Lynda Taylor.
The fuel is stored in a small tank beneath the fire, so there is no need to run pipes to the fireplace. ‘There is also no need for a flue or chimney, so ventless designs work well in spaces that would not have been able to include a fire before, in a block of flats, for example,’ says Lynda.
Ventless fires are clean to run and produce a moderate amount of heat. ‘They really add to the atmosphere of a space,’ says Lynda. ‘People choose them for their ability to make a room feel welcoming, more than for their heat output.’
Raise it up
You can fit a fire at any height, but if you choose a wood-burning design, it’s essential to build in a hearth below. When you open the door (or if you have an open design like this) cinders can tumble out, so a heat-resistant surface beneath is vital. If you install a gas fire, which is never opened, there is no need for a hearth.
TELL US…
Do you have a real fire in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
You can fit a fire at any height, but if you choose a wood-burning design, it’s essential to build in a hearth below. When you open the door (or if you have an open design like this) cinders can tumble out, so a heat-resistant surface beneath is vital. If you install a gas fire, which is never opened, there is no need for a hearth.
TELL US…
Do you have a real fire in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
Contemporary gas fires are very clean and easy to use. ‘They can be operated via a remote, which controls ignition, a thermostat and even flame height,’ says Daniel Sanders, director of Modus Fireplaces. ‘Or you can simply have a switch on the wall, which you flick to turn the fire on.’
Gas fires are neat, too, as there is no need to keep logs or coal close to the fire, so the look is less rustic and more minimal. ‘But remember that with fireboxes, where the flames are contained behind glass, the glass gets very hot,’ warns Daniel. ‘Even if you only have the fire on for an hour, it will stay hot for a long time afterwards. It’s a bit of a fallacy that these designs are safer.’
Open gas fires, on the other hand, produce less heat. ‘It’s a more traditional aesthetic,’ says Daniel, ‘but open fires are more decorative.’
10 ways to winterproof your home