Useful Terms When Shopping for a Fireplace

At Cricket on the Hearth, Inc, we know that trying to find the right fireplace can seem overwhelming, and the wide range of terminology doesn't make it any easier. That's why we've compiled a quick glossary of terms you may find useful:

• Direct vent: Gas fireplaces and stoves designed to exchange both fresh air for burn and exhaust fumes through a two-channel pipe system. Termination is accomplished directly upon reaching the exterior of the building once vertical requirements and clearances are established. Positives include high efficiency and short vent run chimney savings.

• Zero-clearance: Wood or gas units built with an extra metal chamber of insulating air surrounding the unit so that wall framing can be built right up to the unit. An air chamber replaces the masonry construction of the chimney. Positives include quick construction and great savings over masonry.

• Cabinet: Furniture grade box to hold zero-clearance gas fireplace. They are available in a flat wall or corner design in any finish or wood to match your décor. Positives are that it adds a shelf area above the fireplace for TV or other display and saves on building out to accommodate units on the exterior of the home (see bump-out).

• Bump-out: Shed-like extension to the side of a home to accommodate a fireplace box on an exterior wall.

• Insert: Taking a stove of any fuel type and putting it into an existing masonry fireplace structure. Any insert will increase the efficiency of the fireplace by controlling the fuel-to-air mixture and preventing house air from escaping up the chimney. A fan component will take room air in and around the outside of the burn chamber and then back into the room, capturing the heat produced for your enjoyment. Nearly all inserts will require a new chimney liner system running from the stove to a cover plate with an exhaust cap at the top of the masonry chimney. The positive is you can convert to gas from a wood-burning fireplace and still stay with wood burning, now heat with full control in a sealed stove.

• Gas log set: A gas burner system, grate, and ember bed set into an existing masonry fireplace or another approved factory-built fireplace. Replaces existing wood grate and logs with ceramic logs, glass pellets, or ceramic stones and the convenience of gas burning.

• C-clamp: A "C-clamp" holds the damper plates from closing by 1" in order to vent the pilot fumes. Logs must be burned with glass doors open in order to prevent the intense gas heat from shattering the glass.

• Glass door enclosure: Metal frame with hinged glass panels, which cover a traditional fireplace opening. Usually contain tempered glass and can have mesh curtains or panels behind the door to prevent wood sparks from escaping when doors are open.

• Screen: Available in freestanding models which stand on the hearth in front of the opening. Mesh curtains which can be mounted in the opening of a fireplace alone or attached to a glass door enclosure; or mesh panel doors are an option attached to some glass doors.

• Grate: The metal cradle that holds the logs in the fireplace. Options in steel bar and cast iron designs.



• Hearth**: The floor or step directly in front of the fireplace opening. Usually, a non-combustible material to protect the room from sparks and heat produced by the fireplace.

 **The proper place to locate your Cricket for good luck!