What Else Do I Need to Know about Selecting a Fireplace?

Fireplaces require a few more technical considerations before making your final decision. Here, we'll cover those and advise you on the best way to achieve your goals.

Other Technical Considerations

• Blowers: A blower may be included to better circulate the heat your fireplace generates. Only some fireplaces have this option built-in; others cannot add a blower. Wood-burning fireplaces don't always have the option for blowers, while many gas and electric fireplaces have the option often built in. Only certain blowers will apply to certain fireplaces, so checking the owner's manual for such information is best.

• Venting Diameter Required: Returning to venting briefly, it must be noted that fireplaces are generally tested and certified for use with specific venting brands and diameters. Before proceeding, your venting must be compatible with your fireplace. Some people try to up or downsize their venting, which is a hazard.
• Minimum Heating Area: The minimum heating area is the space the fireplace can comfortably heat. Several factors impact this, including insulation, fireplace placement, ceiling height, etc. It is better to be cautious when using this to help decide which fireplace you want.




• Minimum BTU Capacity: A fireplace's BTUs (or British Thermal Units) determine how much heat the unit will put off. Fireplaces wildly vary in how much heat they can put off. For instance, an ethanol fireplace could put off less than 2,000 BTU, an electric fireplace could put off 5,000, and a gas fireplace could put off over 25,000. The heat needed must be considered for the space you wish to heat. Too many BTUs means your space is overwhelmed with heat, but too few mean you're left shivering. To learn more about BTUs and how to calculate how many you need, check out our What Are BTUs article!

• Maximum Framing Dimensions: When installing a fireplace into a preexisting cavity, you need to know those dimensions so no additional construction is needed to install your new fireplace. These dimensions are the width of the entire opening of the cavity (not just how wide you want your fireplace to be), the height of the cavity (important to establish so you don't get a unit too tall for your home), and the complete depth of the cavity as well. These dimensions will help you find the perfect fit for your home.




• Minimum Viewing Dimensions: Some people value the viewing area of a fireplace more than almost anything else. That's alright; it means you must know the minimum viewing dimensions you want. The minimum viewing dimensions are precisely what they sound like—the height and width of the fireplace's opening. The width of the fireplace's opening is typically the advertised size.

• Minimum Firebox Dimensions: The minimum firebox dimensions refer to the measurements of the inside of the fireplace's firebox. These dimensions are most relevant when looking for gas logs to fit into an existing fireplace, but they refer to the firebox's width, height, and depth. Due to how many fireplaces taper in the back, there is often a front and rear width.

While selecting a fireplace for your home can be confusing and full of unfamiliar terms, we hope that you've found this guide helpful in determining what you need and want and making the process easier.

If you have questions about a specific fireplace, want more assistance finding your fireplace, or need anything else, don't hesitate to contact our NFI-certified technicians!