The Evolution Of Fireplaces

Since the late 1700's fireplaces have been used in houses. It ended up being in the Victorian times that fireplaces really gained in popularity. When fireplaces were first used their sole purpose was for heat. What they discovered is that besides producing heat you could turn them into a peice of furniture. This is when you started seeing fireplace mantels, surrounds and unique designs.

Fireplaces have mainly used wood for the primary fuel. As wood was the most common fireplace manufactures started developing gas fireplaces when gas lines became common in homes. Gas fireplaces started becoming very popular at this time. As the world turned more fast paced it put a demand on peoples time and gas fireplaces are a time saver. With a gas fireplace all you had to do was flip a swtich and you would have an instant fire.



Electric fireplaces also became popular. Electric fireplaces give people without them already installed in their home to have a fire. All you have to do is take the cord and plug it in to a wall outlet and you have an instant fireplace. They can work great as a space heater for a small room, but other than that your not going to get a lot of heat of them.

You can observe a really drastic difference in them from the Victorian era to today. One of the most cost effective method to heat your house today with central heating. Fireplaces are no longer needed for a homes heat source. Fireplaces must now compliment a homes decor and be a decoration. Unique designs and a modern feel are driving the changes of fireplaces today. Most fireplaces now use gas or electric as their fuel. Modern fireplaces have unique designs and shapes. They may be hung on the wall just like a picture or be free standing in the center of your room.

Fireplace design will continue to push forward as the consumer demands these unique, functioning fireplaces. Fireplaces will be a staple in a house, so they will continue to change as peoples tastes change.