With winter in full swing, adding the warmth of a fireplace to your home may be at the top of your 2012 to-do list. Now, thanks to the new linear fireplaces, the ambience of a hearth is no longer reserved for the living room or den … or even a wall with a chimney. “A linear fireplace works like any other fireplace,” explained Stefanie Hetzke, owner of the Hetzke Design Group in D.C., who said these modern fire features are typically metal, gas-fueled, rectangular units with an overall width that is generally about twice their height.
“It is much more of a contemporary or a transitional look,” said Tracy Morris, principal and owner at Tracy Morris Design in Bethesda.
“Because of their proportions, linear fireplaces work best with the principles of modern design,” Hetzke agreed. “They are minimalist in nature and can be seamlessly integrated into the simple material selections modern design is known for.”
Morris said people tend to consider the entire house when incorporating these units into their floor plans. “I’ve seen them much more in bedrooms and libraries and especially in the kitchen area.”
Hetzke recently incorporated a linear fireplace into an Alexandria living room by creating a large focal wall with a marble fireplace that extended from floor to ceiling flanked by custom shelving and storage.
“The fireplace did not have a mantel of any kind and was positioned in the middle of the marble about three feet off the floor so it could be easily viewed,” Hetzke explained. “The decoration in the rest of the living room was simple, so the feature wall that contained the fireplace would get all the attention.”
Hetzke said linear fireplaces could also work in transitional designs. “By surrounding the fireplace with warm materials, such as wood paneling or smooth stone, a linear fireplaces feels right at home in a space that mixes both modern and traditional furnishings and details.”
“For venting, it’s best to install them on an outside wall,” said Morris, although she’s seen linear fireplaces installed on interior walls as well because some models don’t require venting. The space around the fireplace has to be fire-rated and protected with stone. “These pieces do get hot, and they have to be coated all the way around,” Morris advised. “Just make sure you’ve got a contractor who knows what he’s doing.”
Hetzke also said it’s important for homeowners to consider the depth of the wall where the fireplace will be installed, how the wall must be framed to accommodate the fireplace, and how and if the fireplace needs to be vented.
Another important thing to think about is the brand of linear fireplace. Our experts recommended Spark Fires and Napoleon Quality Fireplaces.
“Both companies offer many different models, sizes, surround finishes, and venting options,” said Hetzke, who also recommended the Fire Place in Gaithersburg.
During the design process, Morris also turns to Heat & Glo, which can offer more traditional options, as well as the Woodburners Two in Fall Church, which supplies gas fireplaces.
So how do these new fireplaces compare to the feel of their wood-burning predecessors?
Ultimately it depends on the size of the room versus the size of the linear unit, said Morris. Linear fireplaces are very similar to the gas-log burners; however, she finds linear fireplaces provide slightly less heat than a traditional wood-burner. “It does produce a lot of really great warmth,” she said, adding that linear fireplaces’ clean, sleek, flexible design gives homeowners creative freedom with minimal mess and dirt that wood leaves behind.
“As more people look for more modern interior design in their homes, linear fireplaces have become a go-to option,” said Hetzke. “With the ease of installation of linear fireplace models, more and more clients want to indulge in the luxury of a fireplace.”
