Commonly Used Fireplace Terms Explained

Fireplaces are a unique feature that you can add to your home and it has many benefits. Fireplaces are both functional and aesthetic features that can greatly improve the look of your home whether you are installing it indoors and outdoors. When gathering inspiration for your fireplace in Denver you may come across various terminologies related to the fireplace. The following are some fireplace terms that are commonly used.

Chase

Chase is the structural part of the fireplace that consists of the venting. In traditional fireplaces, there is no chase instead there is a chimney for venting. Modern gas fireplaces require this type of venting and it is essentially a purpose-built wall that meets the venting requirements of the fireplace.

Firebox

The firebox is the part of the fireplace where you burn the fire, it is typically situated inside the wall and you may not be able to see much of it from the outside. In wood-burning fireplaces, this is the area where you load the firewood and burn the fire. All types of fireplaces comprise a firebox and these are usually made of metal or stone.

Hearth

This is the base of the fireplace or more specifically the base of the firebox and it extends out to the room in which the fireplace is installed both as per the length and the width. The fireplace grate is placed on this part and the fire is built on it. A hearth also protects the home flooring from the fire. 

Clearance

Clearance is the term often used by fireplace installers and refers to the minimum distance from any given angle. Each fireplace has a unique clearance, each for framing, for storing combustible materials, and for the clearance above the mantel for television, artwork, or anything that you want to install on top of the fireplace. There are minimum specific standards for clearances based on which the fireplace is built so that optimum safety is maintained.

Mantel

The Mantel is the top part of the fireplace which is horizontal on the surface and protruding over the top of the fireplace and it often serves as a shelf for arranging decorative items and potpourri. This part is the heaviest and the longest surface of the fireplace and is often supported by legs. Mantels are located way above the fireplace opening and are either floating or supported by corbels. 

Surround

Fireplace surrounds refer to the area surrounding the fireplace and they are usually made of stonework. Fireplace surrounds are decorative in nature and they can be simple or very elaborate depending on how you want your fireplace to look. A decorative fireplace surround can greatly improve the look of the fireplace as well as the entire room. Ornate stonework surroundings are quite common and you can also install them in an outdoor fireplace in Denver to enhance your backyard or patio further.

Back Panel

The back panel of the fireplace is located between the fireplace surrounding and the fireplace opening. The back panel is a structural part and it can also be used to improve the look of the fireplace or complement the fireplace design.

Flue

The flue is the term that is used to refer to the venting unit of a fireplace. For a wood-burning fireplace, the venting system comes off from the top of the fireplace and is referred to as the flue. In the case of a wood-burning fireplace, it’s the chimney. However, if there is an insert pipe running inside the chimney that would be referred to as the flue pipe. 

Plinth

The lowest part of the fireplace legs is referred to as the plinth. Sometimes it is also referred to as the foot. This is more of a decorative structure that creates a visually appealing transition between the leg and the hearth. The plinth may also be referred to as the base of the fireplace.

Lintel

The lintel is a structural part of the fireplace and is located just below the throat of the chimney and above the fireplace. The lintel has a completely structural purpose and it is installed to distribute the load of the chimney breast evenly across both sides of the fireplace.

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Created on Oct 13th 2021 04:44. Viewed 205 times.

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