How do I know what kind of fireplace I have?

You can usually tell if a fireplace has one of these units by looking inside of it. They’ll be made of metal sheet and have one to three ceramic walls decorated in a brick or stone pattern. Louvred faces can be found on some units, but most do not.

How do I know if my fireplace is prefabricated or masonry?

It is important to note that the method of construction used in a masonry fireplace versus a factory-built fireplace differs significantly. In contrast, factory-built fireplaces are assembled in a factory before being shipped to the customer’s home.

How did old fireplaces work?

In a traditional fireplace, the flame and hot coals emit radiation, which strikes objects or people in the room and speeds up their molecules, warming them. Another reason fireplaces can be so inefficient is because they work on the principle of convection as well.

How do I know if my fireplace is original?

How can you tell? There are a few ways: Look at the screws on the back of the fireplace; if they’re new, that means the fireplace is new or at least some of it is. Look at the fine print: Detail should be clear and crisp on an original. In the process of making replicas, some of the finer details may be lost.

How do I know if my fireplace has zero clearance?

One of the easiest ways to tell if a fireplace has zero clearance is if there is black metal visible on the outside or inside the firebox Manufacturers have improved their ability to hide the metal and produce fireplaces that resemble real bricks (Fig. #7, for example).