Smith & May's Hearth Planning Guide

If you're building a new home or renovating an old home, planning your fireplace is an important part of the process. We specialize in design and construction of custom masonry fireplaces. We also offer sales and installation of wood burning zero clearance fireplaces and all type of gas fireplaces. This guide should help to answer some basic questions you will have as you plan your fireplace.

 

Gas Fireplace:

There are three common types of gas fireplaces:
• Direct Vent (DV) gas fireplaces utilize a sealed combustion chamber drawing outside combustion air through the coaxial vent pipe. Direct Vent gas fireplaces are generally more efficient than the other types of gas fireplaces.
• Natural Vent (NV) gas fireplaces draw combustion air from inside the building and vent through a single B vent pipe system.
• Vent Free (VF) gas fireplaces do not require a vent system. A vent free gas fireplace can only be installed in a space containing the required cubic air volume for the BTU output of the fireplace. Persons with allergies and/or respiratory problems should avoid this type of gas fireplace.

 

Gas Fireplace Insert:

A gas fireplace insert is a self contained gas fireplace made to fit inside an existing masonry or zero clearance fireplace. Gas inserts are available in direct vent and natural vent options. Liners for direct vent and natural vent systems must be installed in the entire length of the fireplace flue.

 

Electric Fireplace:

This is the latest type of fireplace offering the most flexible of installations. No vent is required you can move it to any wall space and just plug it in.

 

Zero Clearance Fireplace:

The term Zero Clearance fireplace refers to a manufactured fireplace unit vented to a metal pipe system supplied and tested by the fireplace manufacturer. A zero clearance fireplace can be installed on a wood floor system without the need for a masonry chimney. Although the term suggests zero clearance to combustibles, proper clearance is required around the fireplace unit as well as a 2” clearance to combustibles from the vent pipe system.

 

Masonry Fireplace:

A fireplace designed and constructed using masonry materials including brick, cement block, stone, and clay of refractory flue liners. A masonry fireplace requires a structural concrete footing placed on undisturbed ground below the frost line (4’). It's possible to incorporate multiple flue liners in a masonry fireplace and chimney allowing other appliances to be vented on seperate flues within the masonry chimney. The masonry fireplace and chimney require a minimum 2” clearance to combustible materials.
We specialize in design and construction of custom masonry fireplaces. You can view samples of our work on our masonry page.