Trend Watch: Open Fireplaces

We’re (always) in our innovation era, making it easier than ever to get the most authentic fireside experience. Open fireplaces do just that – giving you an intimate connection with fire, without a glass front to interrupt the view and experience. While home trends may come and go, today we’ll explore how open fireplaces are a perfect representation of blending past and present styles to create something with totally timeless appeal.

Stellar Open Hearth fireplace in a home during the winter
Warmth from the heart of the home, amidst a winter's chill. Embracing modern comfort with the timeless glow of a Stellar by Heat & Glo fireplace.
Embrace the calming comforts of home with fire in its natural setting

Open – or open-hearth – fireplaces give you a front row seat for unforgettable fires and memories. The glass-free fireplace design enriches your interaction with the fire itself and the people gathered around it. The hearth is a natural gathering space, made even more inviting and comfortable by open fireplaces’ mild burn and heat output. Plus, the uninterrupted, natural orange and ochre tones of the flames bring a fresh energy to your home, while pops and crackles of wood-burning open fireplaces evoke an extra level of coziness.

Heat & Glo Rutherford wood-burning fireplace in living room with white surround and mantel.
Heat & Glo Rutherford wood-burning fireplace with a stunning white surround and mantel.
Choosing gas, wood, or gas log sets for your open fireplace

Can it get more classic than a wood-burning open fireplace? A wood-burner might be a no-brainer, especially when you consider Heat & Glo’s wide variety of size and style options. The classic aesthetic of an open fireplace is a perfect complement to real logs. And, if you already have an open fireplace but don’t want to deal with the hassle of wood or smoke, gas log sets like Heat & Glo’s Duzy series offer an easy alternative: simply place the log sets into your existing fireplace and within minutes you have a controllable gas fire at your fingertips – all surrounded in the beauty of a glass-free, open hearth. The vent-free logs are incredibly efficient, operating at a high enough temperature to essentially burn up any combustion byproducts before they can go back into the air, eliminating the need for venting altogether.

Split-wood gas fireplace in traditional living room with dark-blue wall flanked by bookshelves.
The Phoenix TrueView open front gas fireplace has a larger scale and viewing area that made it a perfect fit for this stately room. Photo c/o: Tiffany Kokal Photography.

Gas without glass? You betcha. Heat & Glo revolutionized the industry with direct vent technology, which protects indoor air quality by drawing outside air for the fire, then expelling 100 percent of combustion exhaust and byproducts outside the home. In more fun terms: you get all the ease and comfort of a gas fireplace – without a glass front. An open gas fireplace is a great option if you like to control your heat output and have a more consistent burn, or if you simply don’t want to stress over the mess of wood and ash. You can even stream your tunes or the crackling of a fire through built-in Bluetooth speakers on the Phoenix TrueView gas fireplace.
Fireplace fronts and doors are available for all of our open-hearth products. Or conceal your fireplace with less commitment and opt for a fireplace cover that keeps your open fire covered when you want it, and free when you don’t.

Extend the outdoor season with outdoor open fireplaces

Step out to a relaxing retreat when you add an open outdoor fireplace to your deck, patio or outdoor kitchen. An open-flame fireplace looks right at home in the outdoors and the unique blend of masonry materials gives it a statement that will help define your outdoor space to feel like another room in your home. Add as much or as little wood to the fire to control the heat output, whether you want to warm up on a winter’s night or simply add a little ambiance to the shoulder seasons.

Spacious contemporary outdoor space with wood-burning fireplace in brick hearth and L-shaped casual seating.
Spacious contemporary outdoor space with the Cottagewood Heat & Glo wood-burning fireplace in brick hearth.
Why an open fireplace is worth the investment

Traditional masonry fireplaces are integrated into the architecture of a house, but our open fireplaces deliver the look of a site-built masonry fireplace that you can add at any time, without the high price tag of an entire construction team. A classic variety of stone, brick or ceramic surrounds, plus our innovative venting and fuel options, come together to feature the astounding design and stunning display of an open-hearth fireplace. Easily explore our gas and wood open fireplace options and enjoy this trend-proof design for years to come.

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