Wood-Burning Fireplaces

General Information

A wood-burning fireplace remains a popular choice, the most popular for new construction, and adds significantly to the value of any home. Most wood-burning fireplaces are no longer traditional brick and mortar, but are engineered and pre-built by major manufacturers.

A factory-built fireplace is actually a firebox enclosed within a steel cabinet. A blanket of insulating air keeps the outer wall cool. Spacers surrounding the cabinet allow it to be installed in close proximity to the wood framing (hence the name "zero-clearance fireplace"). They pass rigorous testing standards established by Underwriters Laboratories and the American Gas Association, and have an excellent safety record.

Factory-built fireplaces are surprisingly inexpensive. They use a safe, lightweight chimney and do not need any additional footing or other structural support. Because they have fewer limitations than site-built masonry fireplaces, they can be easily and safely installed in almost any room. Factory-built fireplaces are available in a range of sizes. Brick, stone, marble and other facing materials can be combined with your choice of mantels to suit your décor.