There is no substitute for fire. - Christopher Alexander
above: one of the many fireplaces built by Henry Mercer at Fonthill
Sustainability issues aside, a lot has been written about fire pits and fireplaces and what is our natural desire to be comforted, warmed, and gathered while engaged in re-energizing rest, thoughtful silence, or friendly conversation in front of, or around, a fire.
Years ago, I was taught that an efficient fireplace needs to have 3 basic elements - outdoor air intake, glass doors, and a blower or other means to efficiently increase and/or harness the heat emitted from a fire. As a basic rule, that's a good start, but it leaves other important elements out of the picture.
10 years ago I worked alongside a mason and we built 2 Rumford fireboxes and a chimney. Neither of us had built a Rumford fireplace before, and it was a great experience. I cut and laid the firebricks and flue tiles, and figured out the compound miters for the flue tiles where the lower flue had to angle around the second floor firebox. We worked through several cold weeks sharing our knowledge and enjoying the peaceful work. The mason taught me how to lay brick and block, and I taught him how to use a framing square to lay out compound miters. The weather reminded us that perseverance might be a builder's most valuable tool.
The rumford fireplaces we built were ones that I had designed using some invaluable information from the classic book by Vrest Orton and products from Superior Clay Corporation. Orton's book is a great little historical resource based on the research of Sir Benjamin Thompson (Count Rumford). The fireplaces Thompson documents have become known as Rumford fireplaces. Superior Clay Corp. builds on the same research and manufactures quality parts to enable builders and masons alike to build perfect Rumford fireplaces and chimneys. I recommend both resources as necessities for the start of every good fireplace.
Rumford fireplaces are shallow with angled sides and very specific dimensions. They throw a lot more radiant heat into a room than any other fireplace design, smoke less, draw well, and because they're taller they greatly increase the viewing area of the fire. When it comes to wood-burning fireplaces, Rumford fireplaces are the only way to go.
In The Psychoanalysis of Fire by Gaston Bachelard further explores the importance, need, and effects of fire in our lives. Christopher Alexander refers to this tome as he describes his own views on his building pattern #181 - The Fire. Bachelard heralds the concepts of reverie and repose centered around fire, going deep into our passion and desires for it. He notes, too, that while we used fire for cooking, it's about much more than that:
"And it is always like that, through a kind of extra pleasure - like dessert - that fire shows itself a friend of man. It does not confine itself to cooking; it makes things crisp and crunchy. It puts the golden crust on the griddle cake; it gives a material form to man's festivities. As far back in time as we can go, the gastronomic value has always been more prized than the nutritive value, and it is in joy not in sorrow that man discovered his intellect. The conquest of the superfluous gives us a greater spiritual excitement than the conquest of the necessary. Man is a creation of desire, not a creation of need."
Thus, we will probably always desire fireplaces in our homes. Based on sources above and my own personal experience, I think the basic elements of a good wood-burning fireplace ought to include:
- Rumford proportions,
- Quality parts from a reputable manufacturer/supplier such as Superior Clay Corporation (clay throat, damper, smoke chamber, flue tiles, spark arrestor, firebrick and refractory mortar),
- Outside air intake kit
I'm not convinced that glass doors or a fan blower are absolute necessities as I was first taught - my experience is that the Rumford designs kick out so much heat that a blower is unnecessary, and in many cases a good screen is nicer than glass doors so one can enjoy the sounds and smell a crackling fire. Glass doors, however, allow one to prevent the escape of indoor air up through the chimney, control the rate of burn, and offer more safety and assurance that flying embers won't cause trouble when the fire is unattended.
Other important considerations are that the fireplace should implement a hearth, mantel or hood, and be properly scaled and positioned in the building and space.
Alexander writes that a fireplace should be located in a common area "to draw people together". Also, he explains that the fireplace should be positioned so that one can pass it in view without necessarily disturbing those around it, but at once encourage other passers-by to gather. The space in front of the fire should accommodate seating free from obstructions of doors or paths to adjacent rooms. Lastly, Alexander reminds us that the fireplace should not be a dead space when a fire is not burning. That is, be sure there is a view, activity, window, etc., to enjoy when there is no fire lit.
On this last point, there is a trend to place large, flat-panel televisions above fireplaces today. Many consider it sacrilege. I empathize. But, one has to recognize that the TV, especially for many American families, has replaced the fireplace in function. While I agree that is a poor substitute, the fact remains that the TV, and movies, entertainment, etc., are inevitable facts of our culture. For those reasons, I think that the TV can be placed above a fireplace successfully.
Later, I'll post some examples of recent fireplaces I've built; I'm finishing up a fun, very contemporary one now in Chevy Chase, MD.
Closing, a poetic excerpt from Bachelard's book:
It is the muted voice of the dying winter embers
Which enchants this heart of mine,
This heart which like the covered flame
Sings as it is consumed.
- Paul-Jean Toulet
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