Deciphering Common Fireplace Terms

When it comes to fireplaces, your vocabulary might begin and end with “warm” and “cozy.” But there’s so much more to it, and while we know technical jargon can be overwhelming, when you’re considering investment like adding or replacing a fireplace, it’s important to understand what you’re hearing or reading.

That’s why we tapped Fireside Hearth & Home’s retail sales manager, Joel Ginsburg, for his vast knowledge of all things “fireplace” to help us build an easy-to-understand glossary of good-to-know terms and why you should know them. From “cap” to “stove board,” we’ve covered the most commonly used terminology below and hope that after reviewing you’ll feel more empowered to proceed with your hearth project with confidence. And with professionals like Joel available throughout Heat & Glo’s network of factory-trained fireplace dealers, when you request a consult, you can rest assured you’re working with the best.

BTUs – The British thermal unit (BTU) is a unit of heat, defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In the context of the fireplace selection process, BTUs relate to the amount of fuel being burned. For a visually impactful fire that will also output a lot of heat, you’ll want to look for a fireplace with a high range of BTUs, like our TRUE indoor gas fireplace. However, some fireplace models with high BTUs, like our Primo II gas fireplace and Phoenix TrueView gas fireplace, offer mild heat, due to their venting configurations.

Whether you want a lot of or a little heat, be sure to discuss your expectations regarding flame size and heat output, as well as questions on BTUs with your local fireplace pro, as they’ll be able to guide you quickly to the right Heat & Glo product (and heat management system, if needed).

Cap – An essential part of a properly operating fireplace, a cap is the top piece of the chimney or vent run. The cap sits on the chimney like a crown, and keeps water out of the chimney, as well as catching sparks that may want to escape from the chimney. Vertical and horizontal caps are available, depending on what your fireplace unit and venting system requires. Caps can be designed with decorative elements as well, so they’re less of an eyesore than you’d imagine!

Chase – A fireplace chase is a structure that contains the fireplace, vent or most typically both. Most chase structures run the entire length of the home vertically and past the roof line. A benefit of a direct-vent gas fireplace is that it can be contained in a horizontally run mini chase, large enough to contain the fireplace and horizontal vent cap, which offers a significant savings budget- and complexity-wise.

Chase Top – A chase top, also called a chase pan or cover, is an enclosure on top of the chase where the chimney or vent run through. Like the cap, it helps to keep out water and other debris. To add architectural interest, chase tops are available in a range of decorative designs and materials, including stainless steel and copper.

Clearances – Refers to required distance needed for many items, including framing, venting, cap, mantel, ceiling, wall, hearth, TV and more. Your local code may require certain measurements of clearance between the floor and the hearth, the fireplace and the mantel and more. It’s important to know these when planning your fireplace so you have an accurate account of the space needed.

Combustibles – Materials made of, or surfaced with, wood, compressed paper, plant fibers, plastics or other materials that can ignite and burn. Combustibility is a factor regardless of whether a material is “flame proofed” or not. Knowing your clearances to combustibles will allow you to design the wall, integrating things like a mantel, television and other finishing materials like tile or wood paneling, safely.

Damper – A device that controls airflow and smoke through the chimney flue. A damper is most commonly found above the firebox of a wood-burning fireplace. Dampers are opened prior to building a fire and closed after the fire is out. A closed damper can keep exterior drafts at bay, in addition to other items that might find their way down a fireplace.

Direct Vent – A technology specific to gas-burning fireplaces, inserts and stoves that has a sealed burn chamber, meaning 100 percent of the air needed for the fire comes from the outside, and 100 percent of the exhaust goes right back out. This style of venting, which Heat & Glo introduced to the industry in 1987, maintains indoor air quality (no smoke in the house!), doesn’t throw off your existing HVAC system and offers optimal efficiency. For more on fireplace venting, head to our all-encompassing guide, Venting Explained.

Elbows – These devices commonly used in construction come in handy during fireplace installations. Elbows come in a variety of sizes (e.g., 30, 45, 90 degrees), and can simplify the process of maneuvering around obstructions when running a new vent or chimney.

Ember bed — To mimic the burned-down look of the ashes and embers of a real wood fire, some of Heat & Glo’s gas fireplaces offer LED or halogen lights at the base of firebox. You may like this option if you’re interested in adding ambiance to your space, without running the actual fireplace flames, as they can be operated independently.

Firebox – The space in a fireplace where the actual fire burns.

FireBrick – FireBrick is a patented ceramic material molded into an authentic masonry design. This one-piece mold is then fitted to create the interior select Heat & Glo fireplaces, including the Escape gas fireplace insert and Cerona gas fireplace. FireBrick retains and intensifies the fire’s heat, producing 25 percent more radiant heat than traditional metal fireboxes. (Head here article to learn more about our best-selling Escape FireBrick gas fireplace insert.)

Fireplace – This can refer to a gas-, wood- or electric-fueled appliance that adds warmth and/or ambiance to a space. Unlike a free-standing stove, a fireplace is built into a wall or other structure.

Fireplace surround – The area directly around the fireplace, which can be a combination of combustible/non-combustible materials, depending on unit and heat management system in place.

Flashing – A thin material installed around the “seam” where your roof meets your chimney. Flashing creates a waterproof seal that protects your roof and chimney from moisture penetration.

Flue – A flue is a duct or pipe that runs up the inside of a chimney. It carries smoke, chemicals, and exhaust gases from a fireplace, furnace, water heater, boiler, or generator to the outdoors. For more on fireplace venting, head to our guide, Venting Explained.

Framing – Fireplaces are designed to be recessed into a wall. Wood construction framing is used to build out the skeleton of the fireplace. The process is much like framing out a window or door.

Free-Standing Stove or Fireplace – Just like it sounds, a free-standing stove or fireplace is a gas-, wood-, pellet- or electric-fueled unit that is free standing and does not need to be built into a wall or other structure.

Front – A decorative safety barrier that include a metal frame and safety screen. Fireplace fronts come in a variety of styles and finishes to complement a wide range of home décor and interior design styles. Selecting your fireplace front can be a fun part of the fireplace selection process.

Hearth – You may be familiar with this term, but not quite able to place it. The hearth refers to the area in front of the base of a fireplace unit.

Insert – A gas-, wood-, pellet-, or electric-fueled appliance that is installed into an existing woodburning fireplace. Inserts are great options when you have an operable wood-burning fireplace but would like something that burns more efficiently and is less of a hassle to use.

Interior panels – Also called the fireplace liner or refractory, interior panels can be made of glass, porcelain, FireBrick or molded cement. Some are designed to replicate the look of masonry brick while others, like reflective or fluted black glass, are suited for contemporary or transitional interiors.

Mantel – A shelf-like piece installed above a fireplace where you can set décor or other items for display. Mantels can be made of various materials, but there are necessary clearance stipulations to follow. Mantel surrounds, which are three-sided, including legs and a header all-in-one, are also available.

Media – Glass, stones, logs, lava rocks and ember material that sit on top of the fireplace burner or LED lights (for electric fireplaces).

Standoffs – Metal spacers attached to the fireplace that prevent improper framing and ensure appropriate clearance in relation to combustibles used for framing in the fireplace.

Stove Board – Stove boards offer protection and/or a stable surface on which to place a free-standing stove or fireplace. They are a noncombustible board (often made of tile) placed under a wood, pellet or gas stove. Stove boards may also be used on the wall behind a stove to protect against intense heat.

Buying a fireplace can be a overwhelming process, but getting the terminology down puts you well ahead so you can move forward with confidence. Ready to get personalized help? Request a consultation today to start making your dream fireplace a reality!