Construction of Fireplaces

Parts

• A typical fireplace comprises an outer hearth, firebox or inner hearth for the fire, damper to adjust airflow and a flue extending above the fireplace through the chimney.

Materials

• Fireplaces are constructed of a combination of brick, tile, cement and iron. The firebox is made of heat-resistant brick material. A concrete slab finished with fireproof tiling makes up the outer hearth area.

Dimensions

• A fireplace opening should extend about one-third higher than the depth of the fireplace.

Variations

• Adding a second opening to the fireplace requires making the flue area larger than for a simple single-opening fireplace, corresponding to the extra height, width and depth of the total opening area.

Considerations

• Consult local building codes to ensure that your project meets required specifications, especially those for trickier designs such as those for two-opening fireplaces.