Fireplace Design Theory

Chimney Location

• When it comes to locating your fireplace, the key player in the design is very often the chimney. Structural necessities may dictate placement of the fireplace in a limited number of spots inside the house.

Fireplace Purpose

• The purpose of the fireplace can play a central role in the development of your design. A fireplace can be added for the functional purpose of providing warmth to a room, or it can be more of a decorative effect, where heating efficiency is less important. A similar factor in the design process is determining whether your vision of a fireplace means the sound of flames crackling as wood burns or whether you desire the quiet efficiency of gas.

Size

• Design principles for fireplace location must also take into consideration the size of the unit. Factors contributing to the size include ensuring that it is appropriate relative to the size of the room containing it. A fireplace built into the wall needs to be constructed so that it correlates to the measurements of the wall. The final aspect of size is thinking in terms of how the room is used and how the fireplace will address that use. A large room shared by all members of the household generally calls for a larger fireplace than one installed in a bedroom or bath.

Foundation Requirements

• The foundation of the fireplace area ideally should be at least equal to the area that the fireplace will occupy, added to the area of any surrounding masonry. Fireplaces made of either brick or thin stones should be half-again as long as the length of the unit's firebox opening.

Flue Requirements

• The ultimate design of the fireplace flue is also dependent upon the type of unit you plan. A straight vertical flue is required to withstand the extremely high temperatures produced by a wood-burning stove. The flue for a natural gas or gas fire-log unit needs to be lined with stainless steel or aluminum to reduce condensation.

Mantel and Hearth

• The concept of fireplace design often centers less around the actual fireplace and more around its decorative surroundings. The simplest fireplace design is one with no mantel or hearth. A mantel is a shelf above the fireplace that should be sized so that it doesn't make the fireplace below look too small. A hearth is a more ornate and sophisticated surrounding structure that needs to be fireproof and meet city building codes. Hearths vary in size, decoration and materials. Your design should seamlessly integrate all these aspects of the hearth into a harmonious relationship with the overall room decor and style.