Thinking of adding the ambience of a roaring fire into your new or existing home? The Firewood Company investigates the trending fireplaces on the market in 2022.
With so much choice in the modern world regarding fireplaces, it's understandable that many homeowners are spoilt for choice and overwhelmed. So, what is the best-suited fireplace for your home and your needs?
Open Fireplaces
Open fireplaces have been an attractive addition to homes for centuries. They certainly add that wow factor to any home while creating that essential ambient environment with all the pops and cracks one would expect from an open fireplace.
PROS – open fireplaces are excellent at keeping the temperature just right – not too hot while providing good warmth while keeping condensation down to a minimum. They also come in a massive array of styles to suit any home. They can use a range of woods that can also provide a beautiful smell to your home.
CONS – open fireplaces can be messy, and care does need to be taken with small children and pets. In addition, investing in a good fireguard to protect against spitting embers is highly recommended. Open fires are also not very efficient with their heat or heat loss and will require yearly maintenance.
Firebox Fireplaces
The more famous firebox fireplace allows your home to heat quickly while providing a much more efficient and safe fire than their open fireplace cousins. Modern firebox fireplaces are also much more efficient and environmentally friendly.
PROS – cheap to run and easy to source quality wood. Provides a wonderfully safe ambiance. Firebox fireplaces can also easily be built-in to give you the open fireplace feel. Can utilise a range of different woods to allow for prolonged heating. They can provide heating regardless of the loss of power. Many now also come with inbuilt fans for an extra heating boost to the area. Heat transfer kits also allow the fireplace to heat the entire home.
CONS – you'll need to be prepared and store wood efficiently during the cooler months. Fireboxes will also need yearly maintenance. Checking fire bricks for damage and also chimney sweeping is required.
Wood Stove Fireplaces
These multifunctional fireplaces are gaining popularity around the globe, particularly in colder regions. They can allow you to enjoy the ambience of a real fireplace while being utilised for cooking.
PROS – wood stove fireplaces offer ambient heat while providing another cooking station. Perfect for any power outages. They are also ranked high for energy efficiency and produce good heating while having lower emissions. Plus, less firewood is utilised with this option.
CONS – Woodfire stoves can be very expensive to buy and install. They also have a scorching exterior, and care needs to be taken with children and pets (and chefs).
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are becoming readily available in various options for homeowners. From stunning focal clear fireplaces to the more traditional enclosed options - the range is impressive and endless. They are great for busy households who do not have the time or space to store the wood needed for conventional fireplaces.
PROS – super quick to turn on with no mess and minimal maintenance. Gas fireplaces are also efficient and can have easy-to-set thermostats and remote-control options. They come in a good range of different styles and options for homeowners.
CONS – the cost of installing a gas fireplace can be expensive. If you do not have a gas line, you will also need to regularly consider the cost of replacing your gas bottle. Gas fireplaces can also be difficult to light in freezing cold conditions – particularly if you are utilising a gas bottle. A gas fireplace may look stunning but certainly does not add the cracking and popping element of a real fireplace that many crave on a cold winter's night.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces have also seen a surge in popularity over the years. They can mimic moving flames to add a depth of opulence and provide a significant amount of quick heat to your home.
PROS – can quickly heat an area of your home – perfect for small spaces. Electric fireplaces are also easy to install – only needing a power outlet close by. They are the least expensive to buy and are ideally suited for tight spaces where having a firebox or open fireplace is not an option. They also do not need venting or chimneys.
CONS – electric fireplaces can be very expensive to run and will not work during a power outage. In addition, because they are basically heaters dressed up with fake flames, they can be inefficient in heating an entire home. They are also limited in their style options.
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