We know getting your head around fireplace terminology can be difficult. So to make things that bit easier, we’ve created a complete glossary of terms to cut through the jargon, helping you to choose the perfect fireplace for your home.
Part of a fireplace traditionally used to protect the wall from heat damage. The type of back panel (and matching hearth) needed will depend on the type of fire it will be used with. As a rule of thumb:
Electric fires - MDF, solid wood, natural marble, micromarble or granite
Gas fires - natural marble, micromarble or granite
Solid fuel/wood burning - specialist back panel designed for solid fuel/wood burning products
Always check on a product by product basis the compatibility of your back panel, if unsure ask a qualified professional to advise.
Bevel
A detail where two surfaces meet at an angle other than 90 degrees. Bevels are a standard on any type of product from granite to MDF because they add visual interest whilst providing a function such as softening an otherwise sharp edge.
Bioethanol
A type of fire that looks and functions like a gas fire. Bioethanol’s main advantage is that it produces a clean flame, meaning the fire doesn’t need venting. Also, unlike gas or electric fires, bioethanol fires don’t need a connection to an external fuel source which makes installation easy, although the drawback of this is that you will need to purchase gel fuel.
Body
A term used to describe a type of fire surround where the legs and header are made of a single piece.
Blower
A device that forces heat away from a fire using convection, increasing the heating efficiency of the fire. Most electric fires include this feature, and many models even feature a ‘blower only’ setting where the blower can be used independently of heat.
BTU
A standard unit of heat measurement, defined as the amount of energy needed to cool or heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. This is manly used as a measurement for household boilers and water/oil filled radiators. Fireplace heat output is usually measured in kW as this relates directly to energy consumption, making it easier to calculate running costs for household bills. To compare: 1kW=3412 BTU/hr.
A paint finish used to recreate the effect of cast iron, which to the untrained eye is very easy to mistake for the real thing. Our cast effect finish is a dark black/grey colour, and has an even, almost sand-like texture.
Cast Iron
Cast iron in fireplace design is often used to make decorative back panels and stoves/solid fuel fires. Cast items are made from iron or a ferrous alloy, which has been heated until it liquefies, and is then poured into a mould to solidify.
Chamfer
A cut away detail on an edge to make a symmetrical slope or angle. If the cut away is not symmetrical, it is called a bevel.
Corbel
A structural piece of stone, wood or metal which is used to support an overhanging shelf. Corbels on a fire surround are usually found at the top of the legs, and are typically associated with traditional fireplaces.
Downlights are fitted on the underside of the header or mantel on a fireplace surround, and are designed to give off a soft glow that highlights the best features of a fireplace suite. Downlights usually consist of a pair of halogen bulbs, which like any standard light fitting can be easily replaced when worn out. Many fully built MDF suites come with downlights pre-installed, whilst marble suites will often come with a fitting kit. Downlights are relatively easy to install, and all of our suites that require downlights to be fitted come with easy to use instructions. However if you are in any doubt, we recommend you seek advice from a suitably qualified electrician who should be able to advise.
An embellishment is an aesthetic feature added to a fire surround, this term can be used to describe features such as corbels, feet, as well as other decorative finishes.
Enamel Effect
An enamel is a coating made from melted glass which has a smooth, glossy appearance. Our enamel effect is a paint finish designed to look like real enamel, and to the untrained eye the two are hard to tell apart. Enamel effect comes in a range of colours, from neutral black or white to bright red.
A fascia is a term used to describe the decorative surround used by many of our wall hanging fires. Many of them are interchangeable, meaning that if you fancy a change of style, purchasing a new fascia is a cost effective alternative to buying a new fire.
Flame Effect
A flame effect is the mechanism in which an electric fire simulates real fire. This may be done through the use of LED lights, ribbons, or other more elaborate effects. Generally speaking, the more you spend on a fire the better the flame, although you’ll be surprised at how effective even a simple flame effect can be. Many modern fires feature an illuminated pebble bed, which don’t pretend to simulate fire, but offer a wow factor at a fraction of the price you would pay for a moving flame.
Flame Effect Only
A feature found on electric fires which allows the flame to be operated independently of any heat output. On the flame only setting, the fireplace consumes an equivalent amount of electricity as a standard light fitting, or in the case of our LED fires can be 15kW or less, which is similar to a small lamp. This means the fire can be enjoyed 365 days of the year without worrying about the cost.
Flue/Flueless
A flue is a duct or opening in a chimney used to remove exhaust gases from a fireplace, and is a standard requirement for gas and solid fuel fires, as well as stoves. If you’re unsure whether you have the correct flue, speak to a qualified professional for advice. All of our electric fires are all flue-less, only requiring a standard UK 3 pin socket to operate, this makes electric the easiest option when it comes to upgrading an old fireplace suite.
Fuel Bed
The fuel bed is part of the fire where the flame (or simulated flame) comes from. The main types of fuel bed available are logs, coals and pebbles. With the exception of pebbles and some coal beds which we supply loose with the fire, most fuel beds are cast in resin using a mould made from the real material.
Granite is a type of rock formed by magma underneath the earth’s surface. The granite we use has a black gloss finish with an almost metallic sparkle, and is hand selected by our team because of its consistent finish and quality normally associated with kitchen work surfaces. Hard wearing, heat resistant and with a colour that is versatile enough to suit any interior, black granite is the perfect fireplace material. However be aware that granite back panels and hearths are not compatible with all fires (see back panel or hearth for more information).
Horizontal part of the fire surround between the legs and below the shelf, unlike a mantel, the header has no functional purpose other than decorative
Hearth
A hearth is the base on which the rest of the fireplace suite sits on. It is traditionally used to protect the wall and floor from damage. The type of hearth (and matching back panel) required will depend on the type of fire it will be used with. As a rule of thumb:
Electric fires - MDF, solid wood, natural marble, micromarble, granite
Gas fires - natural marble, micromarble, granite
Solid fuel/wood burning - specialist back panel designed for solid fuel/wood burning products
Always be sure to check on a product by product basis, and if in doubt seek advice from qualified professional who will be able to advise.
The inner return is located on the leg of a fire surround, an inner return is the part that extends from the face of the leg to the back panel and is what gives the fireplace depth (without returns, the fire surround would be completely flat). The inner return is shorter than the outer return to allow a back panel to be fitted, the difference in length between the inner and outer return is called the rebate (see rebate for full explanation). Many products include an inner return which can be added/removed to change the rebate. When speaking to a stone mason or somebody in the fireplace trade, this part may also be referred to as a Jamb.
Inset Fire
An inset is a fire designed to sit within a standard sized cavity (22”H x 16”W). The advantage of an inset fire is a clean appearance, where most of the technical aspects of the fire are hidden inside the wall cavity. Most modern inset fires are electric, and are designed as a straight swap for older gas models (although modern gas insets are still available). Many inset fires come with spacers which allow the fire to sit flush against the back panel/wall, which is a useful feature if there is not sufficient depth in the cavity.
A term derived from carpentry, in fireplaces a jamb is more commonly known as an inner return. Located on the legs of a fire surround, a jamb is an internal part that extends from the face of the leg to the back panel.
A central stone or decorative piece located at the centre of the fireplace header.
