In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basic variables that tend to play the largest role in finding the ideal fireplace size for your home. From the room the fireplace is going in to the amount of heat you require and more, there are several such factors to be thinking about as you choose any kind of new fireplace.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we’re happy to offer a wide range of traditional fireplaces, modern fireplaces and more for clients around Utah. In today’s part two of our series, we’ll evaluate some additional elements that may be impactful as you determine the ideal size for your fireplace.

Window Considerations

We went over themes like room size and wall length in part one of this series, and one related area to be considering is the presence of windows. Are there already any existing windows in the room that your fireplace will be going in? And if so, how much light are you looking to let in?

Depending on the size of your space, it’s not unheard of for a fireplace to take up several feet of wall length. If this is such a case, the presence of windows could greatly diminish the amount of wall space available for your fireplace. If you are keen on having an especially large fireplace and already have a number of windows in your room, you may want to consider relocating some or all of them — as this would be one way to make more wall space available for your desired size.

Other Room Characteristics

Beyond the simple size of the room and the windows (or lack thereof), you may also want to consider other characteristics of your space. For example, how is the room configured? Are there any adjoining rooms that might affect how you place your fireplace? Even if the room size and other details are ideal for a certain size of fireplace, an adjoining hallway or closet could be enough to limit how much wall space is actually available.

Year of Home Build

While this may sound unusual to some, the year of your home’s build could actually have an impact on your fireplace size as well. Some older homes may be best served with a smaller-than-average fireplace due to structural limitations, while newer builds may offer additional possibilities in this regard (depending on their specific construction). Knowing the year of your home’s build can thus help inform what size of fireplace is most suitable for you and your space.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we understand that finding the ideal size for your new fireplace can be a tricky proposition. By understanding all the factors discussed in both parts one and two of this series, however, you should have everything you need to make an informed decision on which fireplace size is ideal for your needs. For more on this or any of our Utah fireplace services, speak to our team today!

There are several key elements to be thinking about when you’re installing a fireplace in your home, and one of the most important for multiple reasons is the size you’re going for. Fireplaces come in a range of different sizes, and which you choose could depend no a number of different specific variables.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, we’re happy to offer a wide variety of both traditional and contemporary fireplaces, all in varying styles and sizes. We’ll assist you with every part of your selection process for a new fireplace, including discussing your size options and which is likely best for your budget and needs. In this two-part blog series, we’ll discuss the key factors that should influence your fireplace size decision, plus how to consider each of them.

Any Previous Fireplace Space

If your home already has an existing fireplace, then the size of that space could have a direct bearing on your new fireplace choices. Of course, you’ll want to make sure whatever option you go for will fit in the space that’s already there, so it’s important to keep this factor in mind when looking at sizes.

For instance, if your home previous contained a wood fireplace but you wanted to upgrade to a more modern fuel source, inserts come in a variety of sizes and can be tailored to fit an existing space. This could be especially helpful if you wanted to a large upgrade on the new fireplace but didn’t want to make structural changes to the home itself.

BTUs and Heating Capacity

For any fireplace, the BTUs and heating capacity can vary drastically depending on the size. If you have a large space to heat with your new fireplace, then you’ll certainly need something that has a high output – in other words, a larger model.

On the flip side, if you don’t have very much area to warm up in your home or are simply looking for something that provides a beautiful ambiance but won’t be used to heat the whole house, then you could opt for a smaller model.

Room Size and Length of Walls

Another factor to consider when it comes to the size of your new fireplace is the overall dimensions of the room as well as any length of walls that could be affected by its installation. This means taking measurements for all these factors and keeping them in mind when you’re browsing different fireplaces.

For example, if you have a long wall where you want to place the fireplace, you may opt for a larger model that spans its length. On the other hand, if you have a smaller room with limited space then something smaller could be more suitable.

In part two of our series, we’ll go over how to consider ventilation and proper installation when it comes to choosing the right size fireplace for your home. Stay tuned!

And if you’re interested in getting a new fireplace installed, contact us today at Comfort Solutions Fireplace to get started. We look forward to helping you get the perfect size for your needs and budget!

Fireplaces are some of the most unique home appliances out there, combining aesthetics and function in ways very few other home fixtures do. Many new fireplace owners will be looking to educate themselves on several related areas, from basic safety to installation and maintenance needs, and one broad theme that's often helpful here is a knowledge of important fireplace terminology.

At Comfort Solutions Fireplace, not only do we offer a robust selection of modern fireplaces, fireplace inserts and other products, but we're also happy to provide basic pieces of education and information to our clients. There are many areas of fireplace terminology where it pays to have some basic knowledge, and one of these is within the realm of fireplace installation and finishing. In this two-part blog series, we'll go over a number of important terms within this theme.

Chase

The chase of a fireplace refers to the space that is built above the fireplace, and contains venting. Fireplaces from previous generations would use the chimney itself as the chase, whereas today's fireplaces use a separate construction area.

Clean Edge

During clean edge fireplace installation, your installer will bring finished materials directly to the edge of your fireplace, requiring no frame. This brings a sleek, modern look to your fireplace, showcasing the design of the appliance.

Clearances

Clearances, which are found in several home areas including the fireplace, refer to the minimum distance required between objects and a source of heat. Clearances ensure that nothing will come in contact with the heat, and it is important to make sure they are respected during fireplace installation.

Combustible Materials

Combustible materials refer to those such as wood, drywall and other similar items that can be burned. These types of materials must always be kept and distance and should never come into contact with the heat source of a fireplace, such as the glass door. Fireplace tools are also considered combustible materials, and it is important to keep this in mind when choosing your set.

Cool Wall

For some fireplaces, a cool wall will be used -- this is a special chase framing that allows for combustible materials to be kept in close proximity to the heat without being affected by it. A cool wall allows for the modern look of a frameless fireplace installation while also keeping combustible materials held safely away from the heat source. There are specific venting needs for cool wall installation, so be sure to inquire about it ahead of time if you're interested.

For more on the various terminology it pays to know within your fireplace's installation and finishing, or to learn about any of our gas or electric fireplace and insert options, speak to the staff at Comfort Solutions Fireplace today.

For any homeowner looking for a beautiful fireplace area in any part of their home, there will generally be two broad options at your disposal: Full-on fireplaces and fireplace inserts. While both these options offer robust practical and aesthetic themes to meet your needs, they differ in a few important ways that might make one or the other the prudent choice for you.

At Comfort Solutions, we're happy to offer a wide range of fireplace options in Utah, plus several gas and wood fireplace insert selections as well. What are fireplace inserts, how do they differ from standard fireplaces, and how can you tell which is present in your home if you've just moved in? Here's a primer.

Gas Fireplace Vs Gas Fireplace Inserts

There are a few basic ways to differentiate a gas fireplace from gas fireplace inserts. The first is the size of the fireplace itself. Gas inserts are typically smaller than a more traditional fireplace design, so you can fit these into spaces that would be too small for an entire structure.

For this reason, you'll often see fireplace inserts installed into a masonry structure or opening that was obviously created for a different original purpose. If the gas fireplace is built into the wall without evidence of a preexisting structure, on the other hand, it's likely a full-on fireplace.

Another big factor to consider: Is there a chimney in place? If you have an existing brick chimney, it's likely your home is using gas inserts. On the other hand, if there's a vent on the side of the home that releases exhaust, this is more commonly a sign that the gas item in place is a full traditional fireplace. This is because gas fireplaces use either direct or natural venting for their exhaust, and do not require the use of a chimney.

Wood Fireplace vs Wood Fireplace Insert

Differentiating between traditional fireplaces and inserts is a bit tougher with wood, as many wood fireplaces are built to mimic a stone or brick aesthetic and can be tougher to tell apart. If you can't tell if yours is built-in or not, a good way to test it out is the method for which the fireplace receives and expels air.

Wood units both need vertical ventilation, but how they accomplish this often tells the difference. If your chimney has a wood cap on it, for instance, you likely have a wood insert; if, on the other hand, your roof has a pipe protruding from it serving as an exhaust vent, this is more typically a sign of a traditional wood fireplace.

For more on how to tell fireplace inserts apart from traditional fireplaces, or to learn about any of our fireplace options throughout Utah, speak to the staff at Comfort Solutions today.