RICHARD ELLIS DESIGN

An open wood-burning fireplace, or open-hearth fireplace, is the classic image of a fireplace. The appeal of these fireplaces comes from the fact that the fire is visible, so the fire’s light, heat, sound, and aroma enter the room directly. The opening-facing hearth at the base of the structure is typically made from brick or stone, and the smoke travels up the chimney for ventilation.

A wood-burning insert is an excellent option if you already have an open-hearth fireplace in your home but would like to improve its heat-generating capacity, efficiency, and safety. The closed-combustion fireboxes are inserted into the masonry of an open-hearth fireplace, which is usually made of cast iron or steel and often features a glass door on the front, so the fire inside is partially visible.

Gas burners or fires are the most popular type of insert as they are the most efficient, require less cleaning & maintenance, eliminate the need for wood, and generate a significant amount of heat which can be adjusted easily with a remote control.

Electric fireplaces are the most cost-effective and easy-to-install option when adding a fireplace to your home. The inserts plug into the wall, allowing for greater flexibility than most other fireplace options as it can be moved from room to room as required. Rather than containing an actual flame, electric fireplaces use LED lights to project realistic-looking simulated flames onto a screen.

Ethanol burners are all ventless, making them convenient and easy to install. They are often small and portable, allowing movement from room to room as desired and are more or less for purely decorative purposes. While they display a real flame, they do not produce substantial heat. The enclosed burner enables you to turn the temperature up or down, but they are not efficient enough to heat a house.