Fireplace types:
A fireplace may have: a foundation, a hearth, a firebox, a fireplace mantel, an ashdump door, a chimney crane, a cleanout door, a grate, a lintel, a lintel bar, overmantel, a chimney breast, a damper, a smoke chamber, a throat, a flue, a chimney chase, a crown, a cap, a shroud, or a spark arrestor.
- Masonry (brick or stone fireplaces and chimneys. This type of fireplace is popular due to its nostalgic qualities.
- Manufactured ("prefab") fireplaces with sheet metal fire boxes.
- Ventless Fireplaces (duct free/rom-venting fireplaces) that are fueled by either gel, LP/bottled gas or natural gas. Some states and local counties have laws and ordinances regarding these types of fireplaces. They require the least installation and are the most efficient fireplace. The gas burning version of a vent free fireplace while using less fuel, burns that fuel at close to 100% efficiency. They must be sized appropriately to the area to be heated. Aside from the heat output there are also air quality control problems due to the amount of moisture they release into the room air, and oxygen sensor and carbon monoxide sensors are safety essentials.<./li>
Masonry and prefab fireplaces can be fueled with wood, natural gas, biomass and lp/propane fuel sources.
Chimney flue types:
- Masonry (brick or stone fireplaces and chimneys) with or without tile lined flue.
- Unreinforced masonry chimneys do not stand up to earthquakes well.
- Reinforced concrete chimneys. Fundamental flaws (the difference in thermal expansion rates between steel rebar and concrete which caused the chimney flues to crack when heated) bankrupted the US manufacturers and obsoleted the technique.[1] This is evidenced by vertical cracks on the exterior of the chimney.
- Metal-lined flue: Double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a new or existing wood framed or masonry chase
Newly constructed flues may feature a chase cover, a cap, and a spark arrestor at the top to keep small animals out and sparks from exiting the chimney cavity
