Previously published at highschimney.com

What's the difference between Fireplaces and Fireplace Inserts?

There is a lot of confusion about these terms. After all, a "fireplace" ought to be any place you can have a fire, right? Yep, but there is a difference anyway and today I'll lay it out for everyone.

When folks talk about a "fireplace" they generally mean an open fireplace. This usually means an opening in the wall with a flue above it so you can have a fire. The key here is that it's open. To confuse the matter more, a lot of fireplaces have glass doors on the front. You might point out that it's not open anymore, and you'd be right, but it's still "a fireplace."

Fireplaces can be either masonry fireplaces or factory-built fireplaces (also called prefabricated or "prefabs.) A masonry fireplace is almost always built of bricks. There are some specialty types that are more exotic and use refractory materials, but 99.9% of them are made with bricks.

A factory-built fireplace is a metal box with refractory bricks inside manufactured to be framed into a house, without masonry. Sometimes they are gas fireplaces, but they are often for burning wood. These are perfectly safe when installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The Heatalator

There's also sort of "an in-between" situation, commonly called the Heatalator. Heatalator is a brand name which is applied to products which are generally like it. Just as all tissues aren't Kleenex brand, it's pretty common to just ask for a Kleenex and everybody understands. The same is true with Heatalator. It's a metal firebox which is built into a masonry structure. Even though it was built in a factory, this is still considered a masonry fireplace. This is because of clearance and heat transfer requirements etc. Too much information? Suffice to say Heatalators are also fireplaces.

Fireplace Inserts

So what's a fireplace insert ? In a word, it's a stove. Either gas or wood, it's a stove which is inserted into an open fireplace. Fireplace inserts are almost exclusively installed into masonry fireplaces, though there are a few very special models which are listed to be installed into prefabricated fireplaces, such as the Regency Alltera CI1250.

A fireplace insert must always be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and listings or you'll put your house in serious jeopardy. Following these two bits of advice will go a long way toward keeping you and your family warm and safe at the same time!

• Insist that your stove have a properly-sized liner all the way from the top of the stove out of the top of the existing chimney. Click here for more information about chimney liners.
• Insist on knowing that any insert you buy is listed for installation into your fireplace.

When shopping for a wood stove insert you can find several different styles and brands available online to fit the type of fireplace you want to update. There are wood burning and gas and inserts available from Copperfield Chimney Supply , which offers quality hearth products for the entire home.

Fireplace inserts are reliable, modern ways to update your masonry fireplace. A fireplace insert is, basically, a wood stove version of your brick fireplace that slides right into your existing fireplace opening. With very little time and effort, it is quite easily installed and can provide your home with a revitalized look.

Check our selection of quality fireplace inserts

You can convert your old wood burning fireplace to gas by selecting from gas fireplace inserts which will fit into the current opening. You can choose to keep your existing chimney and run a chimney pipe to vent the gas fireplace, or you can close off the chimney and use a direct vent gas insert. You can find a variety of different models, as well as accessories and other hearth products when you shop Copperfield Chimney Supply .

To transform an inefficient existing wood burning fireplace or zero clearance fireplace, have fireplace inserts installed. Fireplace inserts can add the warmth and ambiance of a traditional fireplace back to your home, but with a reliability not found in traditional wood burning fireplaces. There is a wide selection of designer styles available for fireplace inserts and accessories to fit into your home. Having fireplace inserts installed can easily add value as well as beauty to your home.

Where to Find the Best Fireplace Inserts

When you are looking for high quality gas or wood fireplace inserts, choose Copperfield Chimney Supply. Copperfield Chimney Supply has a wide selection of quality, beautiful fireplace inserts and other hearth products such as wood stoves, fireplaces, as well as gas grills. If you are unsure of what hearth product will work best for your home, the customer service team at Copperfield Chimney Supply will gladly assist you in the process of selecting the right piece for your home.

Older homes often were built with a fireplace to provide a way to make heat during the cold winter months. Over time people discovered that when heat escapes from the fireplace, it can actually begin to draw heat out of the room in the home. You can convert your existing fireplace by installing fireplace inserts, which offer energy efficient fireplace operation and keeps the heat in your home rather than going out the chimney.

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