Warmth from wood
Like most things in the home, a fireplace should fit your lifestyle. Considering the amount of maintenance, heat and venting a fireplace requires will help determine the type of “fuel” that will work best for you. The original fireplaces, those that burn wood, certainly have a wonderful appearance since they produce real fire. However, wood-burning fireplaces require attention before and during burning as well as cleaning and maintenance afterward. Additionally, they need venting (a chimney) that goes straight up, has a large pipe and has a cap higher than anything within 10 feet. Of course, a chimney sweep must also visit at least once a year for a cleaning.

Glowing with gas
Gas-burning fireplaces can be vented up, sideways or not at all, making them more versatile than wood-burning. Convenience is a big plus for gas fireplaces, which can create the ambiance of a fire without the hassles of cutting wood and tracking dirt into the house, although the fireplaces and logs should be checked yearly for proper functioning. If no gas line is available, these fireplaces can be run from a propane tank that can be delivered to the home and refilled. A 100-gallon tank is standard and usually lasts through the cold season.

Gas fireplaces can be vented or vent-free. With vented units, a chimney of some sort is necessary, and there is a good-sized flame that actually touches the log and gives it a charred look. Although this type of unit produces little heat, it creates a nice atmosphere. By contrast, vent-free units use only one-third the amount of gas and do not require a chimney. If you already have a chimney, you can close the damper. Since all of the warmth goes into the room instead of out a vent, these work as actual heating systems.

The gas logs “burned” in these fireplaces are generally either a refractory concrete mix or fiber ceramic. The appearance of the log will be one determining factor in which type you’ll want to use. Fiber ceramic logs have gone through several generations of development. In the past, they emitted a bad smell, but that problem has been corrected. They are also made as a whole unit, so if one section breaks, the entire thing must be replaced.

But the venting and log options are not the most exciting features of gas fireplaces. They also have some special conveniences that you cannot get with wood. Some gas fireplaces can be set on timers and turned on by remote controls. “The nicest thing about it is being able to enjoy a fire at the flick of a button,” says Amy Overman of Log & Lantern.

Hot new choices
If wood and gas seem too ordinary, there are a variety of other options. Electric fireplaces can be extremely convenient, though they do not have the burning look of real wood and only produce a little bit of heat. For something unique or even slightly strange, consider a fireplace that burns water. The system separates hydrogen from oxygen, burning the hydrogen and releasing the oxygen into the air. Although this is still a new trend, it could be one that grows, according to fireplace expert Charlie Hanft at The Hearth & Patio Shop in Tucker, where a plethora of options from traditional to unusual can be viewed within 2,500 square feet of showroom space.

Other oddities include glass tubes with tornado-like swirling fire (shown left, $3,499-$7,999), colored broken glass with gas underneath to make “fire on ice,” gas Civil War “cannon balls,” compressed wood pellets, and methyl alcohol that gives off a blue flame.

The firebox—where the wood, logs or other materials are housed—usually is made of metal, although some units are still masonry. Two-room fireplaces, called “see-throughs,” as well as three-sided “peninsulas” and four-sided “islands” in the middle of a room are additional eye-catching alternatives.

Frame the flame
Outside of the fire and the firebox, it is the mantel that truly defines the fireplace. “The fireplace, being the focal point of the room, should have a full mantel surround, something with its feet on the floor,” says custom mantel artist Greg Ingram of Mantel Market. Mantels can be used for wood or gas-burning fireplaces and some of the other types as well.

While many homeowners are heading for minimalist designs and straight lines, ornate French styles are still popular. Whitewashing wood can create an antique appearance, and wood mantels can be faux finished to look like stone. With custom mantels like the ones Ingram makes, no two pieces are exactly the same. Another benefit is that they can be scaled to properly fit the room.

Accessorize
Finally, a fireplace needs a screen, tools and other ornamental objects. “You want to make your whole look around the fireplace as decorative as possible,” says Richard Cross at Art Marble & Stone. Firebox manufacturers recommend a screen with any type of fireplace.

Screens come in a variety of styles including the popular mesh doors with textured frames. Cross gets many requests for custom designs on the frames, such as leaves, patterns and initials. In general, darker pieces are the trend right now, whether they are black or have a vintage iron finish. Polished brass, however, has had its day, and is a less popular choice.

In addition to the screen, a tool set with a poker, a shovel, a broom and tongs enhances the overall look. Even people with gas-burning fireplaces will usually have a tool set to make the fire seem more real. Andirons complete the decorative effect—whether you need them or not!
Sifting through fireplace options might take a little research and footwork, but there is definitely something for everyone and every taste, whether classic or funky. Still, with the advances in technology, even when a “fire” is available by pressing a button, the look of fireplaces, for the most part, has remained traditional.