Fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes but if haven’t paid attention, you may miss out on the small intricacies. You see, the hearth comes in several variations including flush, raised, and the classic floating firebox. Not to mention, a new curved fireplace that’s equally eye-catching.
Flush Hearth
As you can see, the lip of the firebox is flush with the surrounding hearth. Pictured is a 29.13” electric insert.
This type of fireplace features a front lip that is flush with the surrounding ground. This means that it is not raised off of the sub-floor and rather, sits directly on the floor of your home. The flushed hearth is seen in traditional homes, often with masonry surrounds that were once used to anchor the rooms design. Nowadays, it’s more common to see what’s called a raised hearth.
Raised Hearth
The raised hearth is typically elevated a couple of inches off of the sub-floor. The opening to the fireplace can be flush or raised (covered in the next section) from the hearth directly in front of it but it is elevated off the ground. This heightens the dramaticism of the room, placing your gaze on a billowing fire framed by a beautiful mantel surround. This small shift was seen in a mid-century modern design that attempted to distance itself from old world fashion and connect with a new home environment. The raised hearth allows you to further accent your fireplace by inserting a self-trimming fireplace that adds another level of contrast to the room.
Raised Firebox
Here you can see how the surrounding hearth is raised off of the ground almost like a step. The firebox itself is raised to give the “floating” effect. Pictured is the SpectraFire Curved Electric Fireplace Insert from ClassicFlame.
The raised firebox lifts the actual fireplace cavity (the opening). This style of fireplace can also be seated on a raised hearth so that the floor surrounding the fireplace is raised off the subfloor AND the firebox itself is elevated a few inches above the hearth. This gives it the appearance that it is floating but not to be confused with wall-mounted fireplaces.
Wall Mounted
The 36″ Edgerton Rust Brown Wall Fireplace is on sale for only $279.00!
The wall-mounted fireplace is technically not a hearth. Many contemporary designs feature modern wall fireplaces that elicit a chic sense of fashion. Wall-mounted fireplaces are not always embedded within the wall however. There are many petite ethanol burning fireplaces that can be mounted as decoration down a hallway or in the foyer of your home.
Curved Fireplace
Newly introduced a few years ago, the curved fireplace sets itself apart from the rest. All previous fireplace designs were flat and two dimensional. The curved fireplace changed this by creating a facade that wraps around the room, making you feel closer to the fireplace in an entrancing way.
Portable Fireplace is dedicating to providing you with the widest variety of electric and gel fireplaces. Our team of fireplace specialists have extensive knowledge on everything about fireplaces. Try to stump us by sending us your questions!