Imagine this – it’s a peaceful Sunday evening, and you are relaxing at home on your couch. You have your beverage of choice in hand and you’re munching on a delicious snack. Maybe you have your new favorite TV show playing in the background as well. And to tie it all together, there’s a warm fire crackling in your new fireplace.
It’s not a secret that having a fireplace in your home is a fantastic way to upgrade not only your home’s overall quality but also its aesthetic. Fireplaces feel so overwhelmingly cozy and satisfying, and on winter days they can give you some extra warmth.
It’s not a surprise that many people want to build fireplaces in their homes. When it’s time to decide upon the fireplace you want, one of the most important things to consider is what you want the dimensions of your fireplace to be.
The average dimensions for a standard fireplace are 36 to 42 inches wide, 24 to 29 inches tall, and 16 inches deep. In metric units, this comes out to 91.5 to 106.7 centimeters wide, 61 to 73.7 centimeters tall, and 40.7 centimeters deep.
In addition, the distance from the hearth to the damper averages 37 inches (94 cm). The rear of the fireplace damper on average is 11 to 19 inches wide (28 to 48.25 cm) and 14 inches tall (25.5 cm).
When it becomes time to narrow down what you want for a fireplace, it’s vital to ensure that you don’t ignore the importance of paying attention to the dimensions. There are also many factors that go into deciding what kind of fireplace you want for your home, and all these can affect the dimensions.
Components Of Your Fireplace
Before considering the type, features, or size of your fireplace, it’s essential to understand what actually makes up a fireplace. How can you know what you want for your fireplace, if you don’t really know what a fireplace is built of?
So, let’s start with the basics by breaking down all the major components of a fireplace.
Firebox
The firebox is the part of the fireplace that holds the actual fire. This part of the fireplace isn’t particularly visible and therefore doesn’t need to look a specific way to fit your fireplace’s aesthetic.
However, this part of the fireplace is one of the most critical, as it is the spot that holds the fuel and fire. It also has a unique internal shape to properly ventilate smoke out of the fireplace itself and into the chimney.
The size of a firebox is usually 11 to 19 inches wide by 14 inches tall, or 28 to 48.25 cm by 25.5 cm.
Damper
The damper is an internal part of the fireplace that can be adjusted to control the airflow. On average, the damper is 37 inches (94 cm) above the hearth and a minimum of 8 inches (20.3 cm) above the top of the fireplace opening.
Hearth
The hearth is the floor of the fireplace. It should extend out around 16 inches (40.6 cm) in the front of the fireplace, and extend out 8 inches (20.3 cm) on the side. This is of course important to protect your floor from damage from the fire.
It can be made out of materials like brick, stone, cement, or marble to match your aesthetic as well.
Fireplace Opening
The fireplace opening is the part of the fireplace open to the room. This term is also sometimes used to include the decorative area around the fireplace as well. However, the measurements of the fireplace opening do not include the mantlepiece.
On average, the dimensions of the fireplace opening have a height of between 24 to 29 inches (61 to 73.7 cm) and a width of 24 to 36 inches (61 to 91.5 cm).
Mantlepiece
The mantlepiece is one of the most integral parts of the fireplace, both in terms of looks as well as functionality. In the past, mantlepieces were more extravagant than today’s more simplistic mantlepieces.
However, mantlepieces are still one of the major components of a fireplace’s design. In addition to providing a great addition to your fireplace’s aesthetic, mantlepieces also assist in keeping smoke from escaping the fireplace and into the room.
The mantle should be wider than the fireplace itself, extending outside of the fireplace on average about 6 inches (15.25 cm). In addition, it should be a minimum of 12 inches (30.48 cm) above the top of the firebox.
Standard Fireplace Dimensions
Fireplaces can be built in different styles and sizes to fulfill your vision for your space. Much of this can come down to personal tastes and preferences, or physical limitations of the space you’ll be installing your fireplace in.
The size of your fireplace can be affected by many other factors, including if it is an indoor or outdoor fireplace, the type of fireplace it is, and other design features.
When it comes down to it, the average dimensions of a fireplace are 36 to 42 inches wide (91.5 to 106.7 cm), 24 to 29 inches tall (61 to 73.7 cm), and 16 inches deep (40.7 cm).
Since fireplaces have a more complex design than just a simple box, it’s also important to consider the other aspects that need to be measured.
For example, the distance from the hearth to the damper is on average 37 inches (94 cm) and the average dimensions of the rear of the fireplace damper are 11 to 19 inches wide (28 to 48.25 cm) by 14 inches tall (25.5 cm).
Types Of Fireplaces
There are different types of fireplaces that you can choose from when you are deciding on what you want for your new fireplace. Each of these types utilizes a different source of fuel for its flame. Before you can decide what your fireplace dimensions are, you also need to consider what type of fireplace you want.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
Wood-burning fireplaces are just that – they burn wood to fuel the fire. These are usually constructed out of brick, stone, or mortar, and typically take up more space than glass or metal fireplaces.
A masonry fireplace’s dimensions depend on the size of the room it’s in. On average, the height is 24 to 48 inches (61 to 122 cm), but it can extend much higher for taller rooms. For smaller areas, the distance from the hearth to the mantle averages 54 inches (137.1 cm).
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces have been gaining popularity over wood-burning fireplaces recently due to the immense benefits they provide. Not only are gas fireplaces easier and cleaner to use and maintain, but they are also much safer. On top of that, they are even 75% to 99% more efficient at heating your home.
A gas fireplace has average dimensions of 36 inches wide (91.5 cm), and a height of 24 to 48 inches (61 to 122 cm).
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are also a popular modern choice, and can even be installed in the area where a conventional wood-burning fireplace once was. Electric fireplaces are essentially just electric heaters that have the appearance of a fireplace for an amazing overall aesthetic.
Because of this, electric fireplaces don’t have components like a chimney or a vent. They also save a lot of money when it comes to installation.
Electric fireplace dimensions vary very much because the sizes are usually contingent on where you put them. On average, an electric fireplace has dimensions of 44 inches wide (111.8 cm) and 31 inches tall (78.75 cm).
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Fireplaces
One amazing part about installing a new fireplace is that there are many places you can choose from to install them.
The most common place for a fireplace is of course the living room or common area, as well as master bedrooms. Another popular place for your new fireplace is in any outdoor area such as a covered patio.
Additional Features For An Indoor Fireplace
Indoor fireplaces are a great way to not only heat your home but also greatly improve the ambiance and aesthetic.
In addition to a simple front-facing fireplace, your fireplace can be installed in any number of fashions to fit your vision:
- You can install your fireplace in the corner as a great space-saving option or save wall space. This can also give you a bigger mantle surface area if that is something you are looking for!
- Double-side fireplaces are a stylish way to not only heat multiple rooms simultaneously but also provide an amazing look. Many times they can be see-through between the rooms. Double-sided fireplaces are typically gas or electric fireplaces due to their unique shape.
Related Guides
Mounting A TV Above Your Fireplace
Another associated feature of your area that many people consider is if you want to mount your TV above the fireplace.
Usually, this isn’t a good idea. Since fireplaces many times are used to heat the room they’re in, directly above the fireplace is likely a pretty hot area. This heat can then damage any electronics, especially those that are nearby, including a mounted TV.
One exception is for electric fireplaces. These typically release their heat from the front of the bottom of the fireplace, so above the fireplace won’t be as hot as gas or wood-burning fireplace.
However, keep in mind that this area can still get hot – exercise caution if you decide to wall-mount your TV above your fireplace.
Outdoor Fireplaces
Outdoor fireplaces are a fantastic way to bring your outdoor space to the next level. On those chilly evenings when you want to spend some quality time in your yard or patio space, outdoor fireplaces are an amazing way to both stay warm and enjoy a brilliant ambiance.
Outdoor fireplaces can be used during any season. Because they are outside in the elements, they are usually bigger in size than indoor fireplaces to stay protected from wind, rain, or snow.
Average dimensions for outdoor fireplaces are 36 to 180 inches in width (91.5 to 457.2 cm), 48 to 180 inches in height (122 to 457.2 cm), and a depth of 36 to 72 inches (91.5 to 183 cm).
Enjoying Your Fireplace
Fireplaces bring amazing benefits to your home, either indoor or outdoor. Of course, they can provide the practical usage of heating your home, but they also offer an unmatched aesthetic.
It’s not hard to see why many people want a fireplace in their homes!
There are many factors to take into consideration when deciding to get a new fireplace, including the type of fireplace, location, building materials, decorations, and dimensions. Successfully deciding on what you want for your fireplace is a great way to be able to enjoy the new addition to your home.
Our team includes many home improvement professionals such as painters interior decorators and architects. Collectively, we have over 30 years of experience.