Design may include freehand sketches, consultation of building codes, and consideration of consumer needs. The home’s architectural style influences the designer’s choice for materials, type of hearth (e.g., flush, raised, corner), and type of fireplace. Types include

• freestanding or insert
• wall-hung
• single-face
• two-sided (e.g., linear see-through, indoor/outdoor)
• three-sided.

Design should also include determining the opening size, height, and depth of the fireplace or woodstove and calculating the size of the damper and flue.

Process/Skill Questions:

• How is the required depth of a fireplace or woodstove determined?
• How is the size of the flue related to the opening of the fireplace or woodstove?
• What factors influence the choice of fireplace or woodstove materials?
• What codes influence fireplace or woodstove design?
• What are the costs associated with adding a fireplace or woodstove to a home?
• What are environmental considerations in the use of fireplaces or woodstoves?