The Timeless Charm of a Fireplace
Imagine you've just come in from the freezing cold, and there's a perfect little nook next to a roaring fireplace, practically beckoning you to warm up. You set down your skis or snowboard and hang up your coats to dry. For a mountain home, the fireplace should be the key element and a cornerstone in the design process. There are many different configurations and styles that a fireplace can be integrated into a home.
Most people dream of the mesmerizing dance of the flames in a traditional open hearth fireplace. There is something unmatched about the ambiance that the classic open hearth has but there are also drawbacks. One of the major issues is that they consume the heated air from your home for combustion, sending it straight up the chimney. This means that despite their visual appeal, open fireplaces are surprisingly inefficient at heating spaces. The warmth they provide is largely limited to what you might call the "standing zone" – the spot directly in front of the flames where you can feel the radiant heat. For homes in mild climates where serious heating isn't a priority, this limitation might be an acceptable trade-off for the beautiful aesthetic benefit. But in regions where winters can be harsh, relying solely on an open fireplace for warmth would be like trying to heat your home with an open window.
Wood burning stoves offer a compelling alternative, providing the charm of a real wood fire with significantly better heating efficiency. Unlike open fireplaces, these sealed units control the air intake and combustion process, allowing them to extract more heat from the wood while using less of your home's already-heated air. The cast iron or steel construction also acts as a heat sink, radiating warmth long after the fire has died down. Modern wood stoves can heat large spaces and often feature glass doors that still let you enjoy the mesmerizing flicker of flames. While they might not offer the same wide-open view as a traditional fireplace, their superior heating capability makes them a practical choice for seriously cold climates where aesthetics need to be balanced with functional heating needs. When looking to buy a wood burning stove, there are a range of tax credits that could reduce the cost of purchasing and installing the stove by up to 30%.
For those seeking a middle ground between traditional charm and modern convenience, vented gas fireplace inserts present a great solution. These closed-front units come in a variety of styles, from craftsman-inspired designs to sleek, contemporary models that can compliment many beautiful interiors. Their sealed combustion systems make them significantly more efficient than open fireplaces, and many models come equipped with blower systems that can effectively heat entire rooms. These blowers circulate warm air throughout the space rather than letting it escape up the chimney, making them a practical choice for those who want both the ambiance of a fireplace and meaningful heat output. While they may lack the crackling sounds and wood smoke aroma of traditional fires, they make up for it with convenience, consistent heat, and the ability to warm spaces far beyond the immediate fireplace area.
Typically, a fireplace is used on the main feature wall for the living room but there are other historic ways that a fireplace has been used. A historic way of utilizing a fireplace is with an inglenook. An inglenook as a super-cozy alcove built right into the front of a fireplace. These snug spaces were the original heated seats, designed when keeping warm wasn't just about comfort – it was a necessity. Builders of the past knew something that has been forgotten: the best way to maximize warmth isn't just about having a fire; it's about creating the perfect space to capture that warmth. And its design might just hold the key to the perfect winter hangout spot.
The science behind why inglenooks work so well is surprisingly simple. Traditional open-hearth fireplaces use the room's air for combustion, sending it up the chimney. This means the heat isn't distributed evenly throughout the space – instead, it boxes in a warm zone right around the fireplace. The inglenook's simple genius is with having seating positioned in the best spot where that warmth is strongest.
Frank Lloyd Wright loved to utilize inglenooks as a central feature that is prominently featured for hosting, incorporating them into all of his residential designs throughout his career where they served as intimate gathering spaces that encourage conversation and connection. Today, it is very akin to a fireplace setup in an upscale hotel lobby in a ski resort, where weary travelers sink into deep armchairs positioned around a grand fireplace, creating those same kinds of cozy social spaces where guests can warm up and unwind after a day on the slopes.
Whether you are building a new home or renovating an existing one, a fireplace can add warmth and character to any space. The first step is to figure out the right fireplace. An existing opening will need an insert. Currently, gas inserts look a lot better than anything electric on the market. A new fireplace build out opens things up to many fuel options and designs. Seating and having warm textiles like blankets and pillows can really enhance the atmosphere. There are many fireplace stores from the Denver metro out to places like Vail or Breckenridge but I have found that a stop into Embers provides the best pricing to know how much the unit truly costs when pricing out different places. Some stores, especially in Evergreen or Lone Tree, really drive up the prices for everything, adding thousands to the cost of the unit and installation.