Fireplace in a new house

If you love the look and feel of your masonry fireplace but feel that the heating capacity is not quite satisfactory, there’s no need to totally abandon the idea of a cozy fire adding warmth and atmosphere to your home. Wood inserts for your fireplace are an excellent way to utilize an existing fireplace and still enjoy efficient heating capabilities. Here’s what you need to know about these inserts as well as popular brands you may want to consider.

How Inserts Work

A wood insert is basically a firebox that is installed in your existing fireplace. This allows you to continue to use wood to create heat and ambiance for your home. But inserts can also increase the heating capacity of your fireplace because they are equipped with blowers so that the heat is moved around the entire area more effectively. Many people prefer the feel, smell, and sight of a real wood-burning fire over a gas fireplace.

Picking an Insert

The first consideration when picking a wood insert is the size of the firebox chamber. There are many options to choose from that will accommodate different log sizes and fit well in your existing fireplace. There are also varying heating capacities among the types of inserts, so it’s best to determine how many BTUs you’ll need before picking an insert. You should also research different decorative options such as the style of the glass door and surrounding cast iron decoration. Models with arched or bay window viewing doors can significantly increase the viewing area, which is an important factor to keep in mind.

Brands of Inserts

There are numerous brands of fireplace inserts that you can choose from. Some major brands include Regency, Hampton, Hearthstone, and Vermont Castings. Each of these major brands have numerous models to choose from ensuring that your heating needs will be met, but that your stylistic preferences will be satisfied as well, whether you prefer a clean, modern look or old-fashioned charm.