The standard height of a fireplace’s opening is between 24 to 29 inches and 24 to 36 inches wide.
What size should a fireplace opening be?
The average fireplace has the following dimensions: An opening that’s between 24-36 inches wide, 24-29 inches high, and 16 inches deep. On average, the distance between the hearth and the damper is about 37 inches. The fireplace’s rear firebox is generally between 11-19 inches wide, with a height of 14 inches.
What is a good width for a fireplace?
A 36″ or 42″ fireplace opening width is more common, but you need to assume about 18″ on each side for a typical non-combustible surround and wood mantel, 24″ on each side for something more grand. The same thing goes for stone on each side.
How do you calculate the opening of a fireplace?
Step 1: Find the cross-sectional area of the fireplace opening. Multiply the W=36″ X H=30″ and that equals 1080 square inches of fireplace opening. Step 2: If you are using a round liner and the chimney height is more than 8′ above the fireplace opening you can divide the 1080 by 12. This amount equals 90″.What is the opening of a fireplace called?
At the base of the firebox is the hearth, and at the top of the firebox is the throat of the chimney, where a damper can be found in some fireplaces. The front of the firebox is called the fireplace opening, where glass doors can sometimes be found, or where a fireplace screen would be located.
Are fireplace inserts standard size?
Fireplace Insert Sizes Fireplace inserts are not one-size-fits-all. They must be the right dimensions for your particular space, so measure the height, width and depth of your fireplace from the back wall to the front opening. … The larger the room, the more heat you’ll want it the fireplace insert to produce.
How wide is a standard fireplace mantel?
The recommended width for a mantel is 6 inches (15.24cm) wider on both sides. So, if your fireplace is 36 inches (91.44cm), your mantle should be at least 48 inches (121.92cm) wide. Whether you want to install pilasters or not, you’ll need to have the same width for your fireplace mantle.
How big is a fireplace hearth?
The front of the hearth needs to extend to a minimum of 20 inches, and the side areas need to extend to 12 inches. The recommended thickness for larger fireplace hearths remains the same.Is my fireplace opening too big?
The fireplace opening should be sized based upon a relationship with the chimney flue. An ideal fireplace opening would be no more than ten times the cross sectional area of the chimney flue. … If a fireplace opening is too large it will allow more air into the fireplace than the flue can exhaust.
How wide is a standard gas fireplace?Typical Gas Insert Sizing Most fireplaces, whether gas or wood burning, typically have openings that are nominally 36 inches or 42 inches wide.
Article first time published onHow much space do you need around a fireplace?
The National Fire Code requires all combustible material to be at least 6 inches from the opening of the firebox. For every 1/8 inch of protruding combustible material, you must account for an additional inch of clearance.
What is the opening at the bottom of the fireplace?
An ash pit is a compartment at the base of the fireplace that holds fireplace ashes. This compartment, usually a cavity surrounded by cinder blocks or concrete, is reached through a small metal access door mounted flush in the fireplace floor or wall.
What is the space above the fireplace called?
The fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, also known as a chimneypiece, originated in medieval times as a hood that projected over a fire grate to catch the smoke. The term has evolved to include the decorative framework around the fireplace, and can include elaborate designs extending to the ceiling.
What's the area in front of a fireplace called?
The hearth refers to the horizontal floor area of stone directly in front of the firebox opening. A hearth is usually as wide as the firebox and the legs combined.
How much space should be between fireplace and mantel?
As a general rule, a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the mantel protrudes. So, a mantel 6 inches deep would be attached 18 inches above the firebox opening.
How do I know what size fireplace insert I need?
The key factor in selecting the size is based on the opening of the existing fireplace. To determine the right size, measure the following: opening height; opening width; opening depth (top and bottom); rear width and the depth of the hearth (area in front of fireplace).
How big is a brick fireplace?
Fireplace Opening Width24″48″Firebox Depth16″18″Rear Firebox Width11″33″Rear Firebox Wall Vertical Height14″16″Nominal Flue Size8×1216×16
What is the difference between a fireplace and a fireplace insert?
Fireplaces will have large viewing areas and box dimensions because they are designed to be built into new construction and not limited by the existing fireplace opening size. … A fireplace insert is basically a stove, wood or gas, that is designed to be inserted into a fireplace that is already there.
Can you make a fireplace opening smaller?
Reduce the Opening Size – This can be achieved by laying an additional row of firebrick on the floor of the firebox. Before you start laying brick, you can test the solution by holding a piece of metal over part of the opening and watching to see if the draft improves.
How do I know what size flue I need?
The ideal flue size is typically determined by the exhaust outlet of the stove or appliance. The rule of thumb for sizing a chimney liner is that you never want it to be smaller than the appliance exhaust hole and you don’t want the liner to be three times the area of the exhaust hole of the appliance.
How big must a hearth be?
The hearth must extend at least 300mm to the front and 150mm to either side. It must be at least 12mm thick. It must be made from non-combustible materials. It must also cover a minimum area of 840 x 840mm.
Do you have to have a hearth in front of a fireplace?
Most modern gas only fireplaces with fixed glass do not require a hearth extension. The manufacturers usually require a 36″ clear space in front (no furniture, etc.). Now if this was a wood burning fireplace that had a gas insert, the hearth extension would still be required. Once wood burning, always wood burning.
What is the average height of a hearth?
The most common hearth heights are from 12” to 18”. If you’re tall (over six-feet), choose a higher hearth size. The same thing goes for sitting on the hearth, if you’re shorter, choose a lower hearth height.
How much depth is needed for a gas fireplace?
Depth should be 12-14 inches. If you are measuring for a see-thru gas log set, the depth needs to be 16-18 inches. The height of the firebox opening should be a minimum of 18 inches to accommodate most gas log sets.
What is code for fireplaces?
Per California fireplace hearth dimensions code as published on UpCodes, if the firebox, or the opening of the fireplace, is less than 6 feet square, then the requirement is that the hearth must stick out at least 16 inches to the front and 8 inches on either side of the opening.
How much space do you need for a wood fireplace?
If you want to add a wood-burning fireplace, you need space above to get a chimney through the roof. In two-story houses, choices for placing the fireplace might be more limited, but often you can find the 12- to 14-inch space the chimney requires by enclosing a corner of a room or a spare closet.
What is the bottom part of a fireplace called?
Hearth—The floor of a fireplace. The part of a hearth which projects into a room may be called the front or outer hearth. Hearthstone—A large stone or other materials used as the hearth material. Insert—The fireplace insert is a device inserted into an existing masonry or prefabricated wood fireplace.
What is the firebox opening?
The opening of a fireplace firebox is simply the open area at the front of the firebox where it meets the outer wall of the fireplace to the room. Fireplace openings are usually completely open, allowing you build and maintain fires, and clean the firebox from outside the fireplace.
What are the parts to a fireplace?
- Firebox. The firebox is where all the action happens! …
- The Mantel and Mantel Shelf. Nowadays we tend to refer to the mantel and mantel shelf as simply, the mantelpiece. …
- Surround. …
- Hearth. …
- Corbel. …
- Plinth.
What do you do with empty space above fireplace?
- Mirror.
- Art.
- Family Photos.
- Television.
- Clock.
- Wreath.
- Chalkboard.
- Window Pane.
What is a fireplace slip?
Slips are used to cover the area between the surround and the chimney opening opening. Slip sets comprise of 3 rectangular pieces that are usually made to measure for the wall area around your stove. They are usually the same colour and made of the same material as the hearth but not always.
