Fireplace types
Every residential fireplace type — wood-burning, gas, electric, ethanol — and every configuration — wall, corner, dual, hearth. Mechanism, history, dimensions, code, cost, and the design situations each is appropriate for.
A fireplace is one of the strongest focal points a room can have. Where it goes, what shape it is, and what fuel it burns dictate the entire room layout — seating wraps around the fireplace, view directions are organized by it, the room reads as 'living room' or 'family room' partly because of it. The fireplace's presence (or absence) is one of the most important single decisions in living-area design.
Fireplaces have evolved enormously in the last century. Pre-1900 American fireplaces were almost exclusively wood-burning masonry — bricks and stone with a chimney venting smoke to the roof. The 20th century added gas (clean-burning, controlled), then electric (no combustion at all), then ethanol and pellet stoves. Each fuel type has its own physical requirements, performance characteristics, and aesthetic options. Modern residential design now offers significantly more fireplace choices than at any other point in residential history.
This page is the comprehensive reference for fireplace types and configurations. For the corner variant, see corner fireplaces. For the dual / see-through variant, see dual double sided fireplaces. For the family overview, see doors overview (general wall-fixture coverage).
In this guide
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Fuel types — wood, gas, electric, ethanol, pellet
Wood-burning fireplaces. - The traditional fireplace. Burns logs in a firebox; smoke vents up a chimney. - Pros: Authentic flame; high heat output; ambient heat in addition to radiant. Period-correct in older homes. - Cons: Requires firewood storage and supply; produces ash that must be cleaned; chimney requires annual sweeping; difficult to start; smoke and creosote buildup are hazards; emits particulate matter (some jurisdictions restrict wood-burning fireplaces). - Installation: Requires chimney (masonry or insulated metal flue) extending above the roof. - Cost: Masonry wood-burning fireplace with chimney: $15,000–40,000+ in new construction. Prefab insert with metal flue: $3,500–8,000. Gas fireplaces. - Burns natural gas or propane. Direct-vent (sealed combustion, vents through wall or roof) is most common in new construction; vented through chimney or vent-free (no chimney) variants exist. - Pros: Clean burning; instant on/off; thermostat control; no firewood storage; no ash cleanup; safer than wood. - Cons: Less authentic-looking flame (improving with modern designs); requires gas line. - Installation: Gas line to firebox; vent through wall or roof. Direct-vent: $2,500–7,000 installed. Vent-free: $2,500–5,000. - Variants: Glass-fronted (sealed combustion through tempered glass), screened (open front), heat-circulating (built-in fan). Electric fireplaces. - No combustion. Heating element (electric coils or quartz infrared) plus a flame-simulation effect (LED with mirror and refraction, or projected image). - Pros: No combustion safety concerns; no venting required; can be placed almost anywhere; reasonably priced. - Cons: Flame is simulated, not real. Heat output is modest (~1500W = 5000 BTU; compared to ~15,000–50,000 BTU for gas or wood). - Installation: Plug into a wall outlet. $300–3,000 for the unit; minimal installation cost. - Variants: Insert (fits into existing fireplace opening), wall-mounted, freestanding stove-style, mantle-mounted. Ethanol fireplaces. - Burns denatured ethanol (an alcohol fuel). Real flame; no smoke or chimney required. - Pros: Real flame without chimney; clean combustion; portable in some designs. - Cons: Modest heat output; fuel must be purchased and refilled; ventilation required (the combustion produces CO2 and water vapor). - Installation: No flue, no gas line. The unit holds fuel; you light it manually. - Cost: $500–4,000. Pellet stoves. - Burns compressed wood pellets. Different from a fireplace in the strict sense — it's more of a freestanding stove than a built-in fireplace. Vents through wall. - Pros: Real flame; high heat output; automatic feed from a hopper; clean-burning relative to wood. - Cons: Requires electrical power (for pellet auger); pellets must be purchased; reads more 'stove' than 'fireplace'. - Cost: $2,000–6,000 installed. Outdoor fireplaces. - Built into patios or yards. Almost always wood-burning or gas. Different code requirements than indoor.
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Configuration — wall, corner, dual, hearth-style
Standard wall fireplace. Embedded in or against an interior or exterior wall. The most common configuration. - Position: Centered on the wall, or offset for asymmetric layouts. - Wall integration: Either flush (firebox embedded into the wall thickness; sometimes requires structural framing in the wall) or face-mounted (firebox projects from the wall surface into the room). - Sizing: Firebox opening 36–60 inches wide; mantle and surround can extend wider. Corner fireplace. Set into the corner of a room, with the firebox angled at 45° to both adjoining walls. Faces diagonally into the room. See corner fireplaces. Dual (double-sided / see-through) fireplace. Embedded in an interior wall with firebox openings on both sides — visible from two rooms. See dual double sided fireplaces. Hearth-style (raised hearth). A fireplace with a raised hearth (the floor-level platform in front of the firebox) projecting 12–36 inches into the room. Common in mid-century modern and traditional styles. The raised hearth provides seating space and visual prominence. Floating fireplace (modern). A fireplace mounted to a wall without a base — the firebox appears to float in the wall plane. Modern contemporary; usually gas or electric. Floor-to-ceiling fireplace (modern). A vertical firebox with a tall, narrow proportion — sometimes 36 inches wide × 84+ inches tall. Modern contemporary; often gas or electric. Inset fireplace (modern flush). Firebox completely flush with the wall surface; no projecting hearth. Very contemporary look; usually gas or electric. Outdoor fireplace. Built into outdoor patios or terraces. Common variants: stone built-in, prefabricated steel firebox, gas. Different code than indoor.
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Standard sizes
Firebox opening (the rectangular hole where flames burn). - Small: 30–36 inches wide × 24–30 inches tall. - Standard: 36–48 inches wide × 30–36 inches tall. - Large: 48–60 inches wide × 36–42 inches tall. - Modern wide: 60–72+ inches. Mantle and surround (the framed area around the firebox). - Standard: 60–84 inches wide × 60–72 inches tall (mantle 4–6 feet above the floor). - Large: 84–120 inches wide. Depth (projecting from wall into room). - Embedded flush: 0 (firebox within wall thickness). - Standard projection: 12–24 inches from wall. - Deep projection: 24–36 inches. - Raised hearth: 12–24 inches forward of the firebox plane. Hearth height (above floor). - Floor-level (modern minimalist): 0 inches. - Traditional low hearth: 6–12 inches above floor. - Raised hearth: 18–24 inches above floor. - Counter-height (high-end modern): 36+ inches. Mantle height (above floor). - Traditional: 48–54 inches above floor. - Standard: 60 inches above floor. - High modern: 60–72 inches. Chimney height (for wood-burning). - Must extend at least 3 feet above the roof at the point of penetration. - Must extend at least 2 feet above any roof point within 10 feet horizontally. - Total chimney height typically 12–20 feet from firebox to top. Vent through wall (for direct-vent gas). - Outlet vent: 6–8 inches diameter through wall. - Must terminate at least 12 inches above grade; minimum clearance from windows, doors, eaves.
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Construction and structural considerations
Wood-burning masonry fireplace. Significant structural requirement. - Foundation. Must rest on its own foundation (concrete pad), separate from the building foundation. Typical: 8-inch thick concrete pad extending at least 18 inches beyond the firebox in all directions. - Firebox. Built from firebrick mortared together. Lined with refractory cement. - Smoke chamber and damper. Transitions from firebox to flue; damper regulates draft. - Flue. Vertical chimney (clay tile flue or stainless steel chimney pipe) extending above the roof. - Chimney. Brick, stone, or insulated metal exterior chimney. Must extend above roof per code. - Cost: $15,000–40,000+ for the full masonry assembly. Prefab wood-burning fireplace (zero-clearance). Manufactured metal firebox. - Foundation: Standard floor framing usually sufficient. - Firebox: Manufactured zero-clearance metal box with internal insulation. - Flue: Insulated stainless steel chimney pipe extending above roof. - Cost: $3,500–8,000 installed. Direct-vent gas fireplace. Sealed combustion. - Foundation: Standard floor framing. - Firebox: Manufactured sealed unit with tempered glass front. - Vent: Through wall (typical) or through roof (some configurations). - Gas line: Required (natural gas or propane). - Cost: $2,500–7,000 installed. Electric fireplace. No combustion. - Installation: Plug into wall outlet. No flue, no gas line, no special framing. - Cost: $300–3,000. Lateral and seismic. Tall masonry chimneys are vulnerable in seismic events. Modern construction often uses lighter insulated metal chimneys for this reason.
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Code requirements
Fireplace code requirements vary significantly by jurisdiction and fuel type. Key requirements: Clearances (from combustibles). - Wood-burning: Substantial clearance from any combustible materials (wood framing, drywall paper face). Manufactured prefab fireboxes have specific clearance ratings. - Gas direct-vent: Reduced clearances because combustion is sealed. - Electric: Minimal clearances. Hearth requirements (for wood-burning and gas). - A non-combustible hearth must extend in front of the firebox. - Typical requirement: extend at least 16 inches forward and 8 inches laterally beyond the firebox opening. - Materials: brick, stone, tile, slate, concrete. Chimney requirements (for wood-burning). - Height above roof per code (3' above roof penetration, 2' above adjacent roof within 10'). - Spark arrestor on top. - Liner (clay tile or stainless steel) inside. - Annual cleaning/sweeping recommended for active wood-burning use. Glass front (for gas). - Tempered glass; required for direct-vent. - Surface temperature can exceed 400°F during operation; child-safety screen often required. CO and gas detectors. Carbon monoxide detectors required near gas appliances in most jurisdictions. Wood-burning restrictions (Spare the Air, particulate matter). Some jurisdictions restrict wood-burning fireplace use on days with poor air quality (Spare the Air alerts in California, similar programs elsewhere). New wood-burning fireplaces in some areas must be EPA Phase 2 certified (low-particulate). EPA Phase 2 / Phase 3. Modern wood-burning fireplaces must meet emissions standards. Standards have tightened over time; Phase 3 (current) limits particulate matter to 4.5 grams per hour.
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Cost ranges — US 2024 installed
Wood-burning masonry fireplace with chimney (new construction): - Standard 36-inch firebox: $20,000–40,000. - Large stone surround with elaborate trim: $35,000–80,000+. Wood-burning prefab insert (new construction): - 36-inch zero-clearance unit with metal flue: $4,000–9,000. - 48-inch with stone surround: $8,000–18,000. Gas direct-vent fireplace: - Basic 36-inch unit: $3,000–6,000. - 48-inch with stone surround: $5,000–12,000. - Premium with glass-tile surround: $8,000–20,000. Gas vent-free: - 36-inch unit: $2,500–5,500. - 48-inch unit: $4,000–9,000. Electric fireplace: - Insert (for existing opening): $300–2,000. - Wall-mounted: $400–3,000. - Built-in floor-to-ceiling design: $1,500–6,000. Ethanol fireplace: - Tabletop: $300–800. - Wall-mounted: $1,500–4,000. - Built-in: $2,500–8,000. Outdoor fireplace: - Stone-built freestanding: $4,000–15,000. - Custom outdoor fireplace with gas/wood: $8,000–35,000+. Conversion costs: - Converting wood to gas: $1,500–4,000 (gas line + insert). - Converting masonry to electric: $500–2,000 (electric insert).
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When to use each fuel type
Wood-burning when: - Authentic flame is wanted. - House style matches (older homes, log cabins, traditional masonry exteriors). - Firewood is readily available. - Occasional use; not the primary heat source. - New construction or major renovation (the chimney is best added during framing). Gas direct-vent when: - Daily or frequent use is intended. - Convenience matters (instant on/off, thermostat). - Modern aesthetic. - Older or smaller homes where wood-burning is impractical. - Climate control of the room is desired (thermostat-controlled gas). Electric when: - No combustion is wanted (apartments, condos, no gas line). - Quick install or retrofit (no chimney, no gas line). - Modest heat needs (not primary heat). - Modern style. - Multiple zones (electric fireplaces in multiple rooms; less expensive per unit). Ethanol when: - Real flame is wanted without combustion infrastructure. - Apartment, condo, or rental where chimney isn't practical. - Specific design statement (often very modern). - Outdoor use (some designs work outdoors). Pellet stove when: - Stove-style appearance is wanted. - Real flame and substantial heat output. - Lower-emissions than wood-burning fireplace. - Cabin or rustic styling.
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In Room Sketch 3D
Room Sketch 3D's Build Panel → Fireplace section provides three tiles: 1. Fireplace — standard wall-mounted fireplace. The default; covers wall-mounted gas, electric, or wood-burning. Set width, depth, hearth height in the Inspector. 2. Corner Fireplace — set diagonally into a room corner. See corner fireplaces. 3. Dual Fireplace — embedded in an interior wall, visible from two rooms. See dual double sided fireplaces. In 3D View, fireplaces render with a firebox opening, hearth, and mantle. The fuel type isn't separately modeled — the visual is generic. For chimney rendering on wood-burning fireplaces, the chimney is implicit (rendered as part of the exterior of the building structure).
Tips
Center seating on the fireplace
Whatever fireplace type you choose, the main seating should face it or wrap around it. The fireplace is the focal point of the room.
Mind the depth in tight rooms
A standard fireplace projects 12–24 inches into the room. In a small living room, that depth steals real floor area. Choose a corner, embedded flush, or floating fireplace if floor area is tight.
Match fuel type to use frequency
Daily or frequent use → gas (convenience). Occasional weekend fires → wood (authenticity). Modest ambient warmth → electric (low cost). Choose by how often the fireplace will actually be used.
Match style to architecture
Traditional houses → masonry wood-burning or gas with stone surround. Modern houses → flush gas or electric with minimal surround. Mid-century modern → raised-hearth gas. Modern farmhouse → tall narrow gas with reclaimed-wood mantle.
Plan chimney path early
Wood-burning chimneys must extend above the roof along a specific path that affects upstairs layout. Plan the chimney path during early design — it can't reroute easily after framing is built.
Common confusions
Wood-burning fireplace where wood-burning is restricted
Some California jurisdictions (and others nationwide) restrict wood-burning fireplace use to certain air-quality days. Plan for gas insert or electric instead in those regions.
Gas fireplace without gas line
Gas fireplaces require natural gas or propane lines. Older homes without gas service must add a line ($1,500–5,000+) before installing gas appliances.
Electric fireplace as primary heat
Electric fireplaces produce ~5,000 BTU — sufficient for ambient warmth in a small room, not for primary heat in a large living area. Use as supplemental heat; don't size the heating system around an electric fireplace.
Fireplace too close to a window
Tall narrow modern fireplaces against a window wall reduce the window area. Plan fireplace location away from major windows; or use a smaller wall-mounted fireplace.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard fireplace types?
By configuration: Standard wall (most common), corner (45° set in room corner), dual / see-through (visible from two rooms through an interior wall), hearth-style (raised hearth in front), floating (modern wall-mounted), floor-to-ceiling (modern tall narrow). By fuel: Wood-burning, gas, electric, ethanol, pellet.
How big is a standard fireplace?
Firebox opening: 36–60 inches wide × 30–42 inches tall. Mantle and surround: 60–84 inches wide. Projection from wall: 12–24 inches. Hearth height: 0 (modern minimalist) to 24 (traditional raised hearth) inches above floor.
Gas vs wood-burning fireplace — which is better?
Gas for daily convenience, instant on/off, thermostat control, modern looks, clean burning. Wood-burning for authentic flame, high heat output, traditional appeal, period-correct in older homes. Modern construction increasingly uses gas; older homes and traditional styles favor wood-burning.
How much does a fireplace cost?
Wide range based on type and configuration. Electric: $300–3,000. Gas direct-vent: $3,000–12,000. Wood-burning prefab: $4,000–9,000. Wood-burning masonry with chimney: $20,000–80,000+. Premium custom: $50,000+. Significantly higher in major renovations vs. new construction.
Are wood-burning fireplaces being phased out?
Restricted but not phased out. Some jurisdictions restrict wood-burning fireplace use on days with poor air quality (Spare the Air alerts). Some have banned new wood-burning fireplaces in new construction. Most areas still allow them in new construction with EPA Phase 2 or Phase 3 certification (low-particulate). Existing wood-burning fireplaces are widely usable.
How do I add a fireplace in Room Sketch 3D?
Build Panel → Fireplace section → choose Fireplace (standard), Corner Fireplace, or Dual Fireplace tile. Click the tile, then click on the wall or corner. Set width, hearth height, and depth in the Inspector.
Can I convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas?
Yes. Install a gas insert in the existing firebox. Add a gas line. Convert the chimney to handle the gas insert's specific venting requirements. Cost: $1,500–4,000 typical conversion.
Do gas fireplaces vent through the chimney?
Some yes, some no. Direct-vent gas fireplaces have a sealed combustion chamber that vents through a wall (typically) — no chimney needed. Vented gas uses a traditional chimney or B-vent. Vent-free gas has no flue at all — uses room air for combustion (controversial; some jurisdictions restrict).
Is an electric fireplace a real fireplace?
Functionally yes; aesthetically debatable. An electric fireplace is a heater with a simulated flame. No combustion, no real fire. Modern designs produce convincing flame effects but they're projection or LED, not actual fire. If 'real flame' is the priority, choose wood, gas, or ethanol.
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