There are many fireplaces out there…

But fireplace masonry is solid and well worth thinking about when investing in your home.

And it is going to last and add more character to your chosen fireplace than many other styles.

Fireplace Masonry and Your House

So what is a masonry fireplace, then?

Masonry fireplaces and chimneys are not constructed in a shop and then sent in a kit form to your home.

In fact, this sort of build all happens at your place to make sure that the fireplace masonry fits in custom-built to your individual fireplace from brick and mortar.

What sort of masonry can you use? There are choices:

• Brick
• Stone
• Concrete Block

Typically, these fireplaces and chimneys are built as the house is built, but there can be exceptions if you really want a heating system such as fireplace masonry to take pride and place in your home.

How Much Does a Masonry Fireplace Cost?

Masonry fireplaces often can be the most expensive of fireplace builds due to some of the exquisite craftsmanship that can go into building them, it depends on just how much detail you want it in your build.

As it is constructed on-site, you have a big say in how you want it constructed and what sort of masonry to want in the fireplace build.

On average…

Masonry fireplaces can cost between $3,500 and $5,600 upwards depending on what you choose and what country you are in.

Yet again…

A good quality and detailed fireplace masonry job can actually cost you up to about $10,000 or even more for a larger fireplace constructed from historical fireplace designs.

As stonemason is needed, and they have a special skill that they have perfected for many years, so you will pay for this the more detailed you go.

Fireplace Anatomy Changes

Building a fireplace such as this can be time-consuming and time is money when a craftsman is used, you could typically be spending about $5,000 or more.

Now, when it comes to real, masonry fireplaces, they do require a heavy-duty concrete foundation.

This is too needed to bear and distribute the great weight of the fireplace built of stone and also the chimney that is built above it.

You cannot forget the chimney, you know…

As you can imagine…

That these sorts of fireplaces traditionally burn firewood.

Yet there has been a change in the past years because of pollution, fire wood can be replaced with and fitted with gas-burning log sets.

Many fireplaces that appear to be masonry are not actually made entirely from brick, stone, or other masonry materials.

Instead, they have a facade of masonry materials but their interiors and chimney flues are high-efficiency appliances manufactured from steel.

Bottom line is that this is just a much easier, more affordable way to build a fireplace that is far more efficient than its masonry counterpart.

Real masonry fireplaces require a heavy-duty concrete foundation to bear and distribute the significant weight of the fireplace and chimney.

Traditionally, these fireplaces burn wood but, because of the pollutants they create, many masonry fireplaces are now fitted with gas-burning log sets.

These days, there are many fireplaces that appear to be of a masonry build but are not made entirely from stone, brick or other masonry materials alone now.

Instead, there can be a facade of other masonry materials as well, but the fireplace’s inbuilt interiors and chimney flues alike, are high-efficiency appliances that are manufactured from steel.

The reason for this is that it is just a much easier and more affordable way to build a fireplace such as this, and more efficient than a fully built masonry fireplace.

Anatomy of a Masonry Fireplace

Masonry fireplaces are a place where we control the heat of the fire to keep the internal space of your home warm.

So the inner shell of fireplace masonry is made from fireproof materials.

The outer shell of the Masonry Fireplace actually supports the inner shell, which provides overall structural stability.

There are some Masonry Fireplaces, however, that may have fewer or more individual parts than other such fireplaces.

But in general, a masonry fireplace will consist of the following parts.

• Flue – The flue is a vertical opening that goes through the chimney, this in turn, extends from the smoke chamber all the way to the top of the chimney. The primary function of this is to create a draft for proper ventilation and to get rid of the smoke.

• Mortar Crown – The mortar crown is a concrete-like surface at the top of your chimney. Its job is to shed all the rain away from the flue and to keep that water from entering the chimney chase.

• Smoke Chamber – The smoke chamber is a transition area in the masonry chimney that starts directly above the damper, does continue all the way to where the first flue tile is installed. It is shaped like an upside-down funnel, hot gasses and smoke are actually in direct contact with the tapered smoke chamber walls when burning your fires. Now, the smoke chamber is a hot oven where most of the creosote accumulates and many chimney fires start.

• Lintel – Is a horizontal, non-combustible member that spans the top of the opening of the fireplace.

• Smoke Shelf – This is a horizontal surface directly behind the throat of your fireplace to prevent the down drafts.

• Damper – The damper is actually a mechanical device which opens and closes that regulates the airflow and draught to the firebox. The damper will also stop heat from escaping up that chimney of yours when the fireplace is not in use.

• Hearth – This is a fireproof area directly in front of the fireplace. The inner or outer floor of a fireplace is usually made of stone, brick, or tiles.

• Ash Dump – Some of the masonry fireplaces might have an ash dump where ashes are collected and removed through the door of the ash dump fireplace.

• Firebox – This is part of the masonry fireplace where fuel is combusted.

• Foundation – The foundation of a masonry fireplace is also referred to as a “footing” in some of the building codes. These codes will specify that the foundation of the fireplace must be of a certain thickness and width, with proper reinforcement to keep it strong.

Using Gas Logs in a Masonry Fireplace?

Masonry Fireplaces are versatile, they can allow you the versatility of warming your home with the convenience of gas.

It still looks almost as good as a traditional fireplace in many ways…

A gas log set can be installed as long as the fireplace and, of course, the chimney is clean and also in proper working condition.

Gas logs can simulate a true wood burning fire in fact, this is from the lifelike ceramic fibre, concrete, or you could say refractory logs right down to the glowing ember bed, and you can have those vibrant dancing flames that you crave in a fireplace…

And, these gas log burner systems can use either propane or natural gas…

Natural gas is the one that is used mostly, with gas log sets.

Some installations, though, just might require propane if you can not get your hands on natural gas. So, in fact, masonry fireplaces can use either of these vented or vent-free gas log sets, it’s really your choice.

• Vent-Free: Vent-free gas log sets offer high efficiency. But you need to check, as they may not be permitted in some areas. So do be sure to check with your local official or hearth speciality retailer before you go installing any unit OK. Vent-free gas logs are in fact designed to operate with the damper closed.

• Vented: These vented gas log fire sets do have a spectacular pattern of flame but are of decorative use only. The masonry fireplace damper must remain open when using a vented gas log set.

Making a Masonry Fireplace Energy Efficient

The newer Masonry Fireplace models have come a long in recent times. But the fact remains the same, and that is that an open masonry fireplace is the least efficient wood burning fireplace out on the market today.

They are very popular though.

And why would they not be?

Everyone who thinks of an open fireplace, cannot go past the tradition of the original fireplaces that have been around for centuries.

The only problem with a traditional fireplace construction is that approximately 90 per cent of the heat coming from that wood burning fireplace goes right up the chimney.

Masonry Fireplaces have been a heat loss since heated air rises and is allowed to escape up the chimney.

You could get a damper which can help partly in solving this problem.

But you need to remember that the damper must remain open all night while you are sleeping so that as the wood burning fire slowly dies down, that warm air still needs an escape route up that chimney throughout the night.

In fact, masonry fireplaces can be made more energy-efficient with a few accessories to help them out now.

Fireplace masonry has been used in the dwellings of many homes for centuries, and is a focal point for gathering places in lodges, somewhere to gather and soak up the heat on a cold day.

The overall integrity and architectural beauty of fireplace masonry actually demands attention from onlookers and is, in my book, like so many, the fireplace that we would all like to have in our homes.