If your home has a fireplace, you are not alone. Over 27 million US homeowners have fireplaces. Perhaps surprisingly, only about a third of these fireplaces (9.3 million) are wood-burning fireplaces.

It should be no wonder fireplaces are so popular. The benefits of fireplaces are endless, from lowering your heating costs to improving the ambiance in your home. Yet, choosing a fireplace is no easy task.

After all, you must consider the different types of fireplaces and the unique features you want to add to yours. Then, there's comparing fireplace costs and safety considerations to think about, too.

Today, we want to make your job a little bit easier. We created this guide to help you choose the right fireplace for your unique home and taste. Keep reading for answers to all the questions you have been searching for!

What Are the Different Types of Indoor Fireplaces?

The first thing to consider when shopping for fireplace boxes is type. Do you have a chimney suitable for a wood-burning firebox? If not, is your budget better suited to an electric or gas firebox?

Learn more about the three most common types of fireplaces and their features next.

Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are a modern take on this household classic. The great thing about these types of fireplaces is that there is no live flame. You do not need a chimney, and you do not have to worry about safety hazards as with wood.

Instead, electric fireplaces are more comparable to heaters. They provide heat and create a digital image of flames on the firebox's screen. You can even add on sound effects to feel like you are sitting by a real-life fire.

Another advantage of an electric fireplace is that it's portable. A professional can install and uninstall your fireplace as needed. Check out the link for 'fireplace installation near me.'

Gas Fireplaces

Like gas stoves, propane or natural gas powers these types of fireplaces. Gas fireplaces come in various sizes and styles for a custom-like fit. Unlike wood-burning fireplaces, this option offers a continuous heat source.

Also, you can find them with the following features:

  • Vented fireplaces
  • Unvented or vent-free fireplaces
  • Direct vent fireplaces

Other pros of choosing a gas fireplace for your home are that maintenance is minimal, and you can turn one on with the touch of a button. On the downside, gas fireplaces will cost you high installation fees and natural gas or propane costs.

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

Wood-burning fireplaces are the most traditional type of fireplace. They have been around for centuries, if not millennia. These fireplaces offer tons of benefits, especially for the senses.

Homeowners love the sound of crackling wood and the fresh, natural scents they give off. Even the best electric fireplaces just can not compare. Wood is also much cheaper and more widely available than gas or propane.

On the downside, wood-burning fireplaces cause thousands of house fires each year. It is critical to follow local safety ordinances and hire a high-quality fireplace installation business to prevent this from happening to you.

Are There Different Fireplace Sizes?

Even if you think your preferred fireplace type is too expensive, you can cut costs by downsizing. Fireplaces come in many different sizes and shapes. For example, gas fireplaces typically come in four sizes.

You can get a small gas fireplace for spaces that 500 square feet or smaller and an extra-large gas fireplace to heat rooms that are larger than 2,000 square feet. Medium and large electric fireplaces heat spaces that fall between the two.

You can also consider different fireplace shapes. Ask yourself, do you want a traditional fireplace shape or an uber-modern linear style? All three types of fireplaces can work with either option.

Can You Customize Fireplace Styles and Features?

So far, we've talked about the out-of-the-box fireplace types and sizes available on the  market. But have you considered a custom fireplace? That's right, you can design a bespoke fireplace piece for your unique home and style.

You can customize the shape. Fireplaces are traditionally square or rectangular. But have you considered round fireplaces, triangular fireplaces, or something totally off the beaten track?

You may think your space is too small or awkwardly shaped for a fireplace. But with custom design services, you can optimize space with a corner fireplace or even a suspended fireplace.

Have an open-concept space you want to close off a bit? Consider a double-, 3-, or 4-sided fireplace. See-through fireplaces are also a great option for dividing up spaces while still allowing for visual flow between rooms.

Add on custom screens or splurge on double glass doors to suit your modern sensibilities. You can also customize fireplace materials for both the firebox and the hearth.

Speaking of hearths, custom fireplace design services can also help you understand the best hearth for your home and local fireplace regulations.

Whether you want a place to display your fire tools or no hearth at all, a custom fireplace can give you the exact features you are dreaming about. 

Get More Tips for Choosing a Fireplace?

Choosing a fireplace does not have to be difficult when you follow this guide. And if you don't find the fireplace of your warm and cozy dreams on the market, don't forget that you can customize your very own.

Do you need more tips before choosing a fireplace for your home? Browse our home lifestyle section for more articles like this one!