Fireplace

The term fireplace refers to the space in a home designed to house an open fire, which is generally used for heating and ambience, but can sometimes also be used for cooking. In some cases, the fireplace is the only form of heating inside the home. Fireplaces are generally built inside a chimney, which is used to vent smoke and other harmful particles.

Fireplaces traditionally worked by burning wood, coal, or peat. Today, however, cleaner and safer methods are natural gas and electric fireplaces. Contemporary gas and electric fireplaces have advanced to the point that they can simulate the actual flames produces by a wood or coal fire.

Fireplaces typically consist of a foundation, which is the chimney area, a hearth, a cleanout door, and a flue that opens and closes the door to the chimney to allow the removal of fumes. See the articles below to find out more about fireplaces.