What is the gate in front of the fireplace called?

What is the gate in front of the fireplace called?

The hearth refers to the horizontal floor area of stone directly in front of the firebox opening. A hearth is usually as wide as the firebox and the legs combined.

What was the original purpose of a fireplace mantel?

A mantel, also known as a fireplace mantel or mantelpiece, frames the opening of a fireplace and often covers part of the chimney breast. It was originally developed in the medieval period for functional purposes, to serve as a hood that would prevent smoke from entering the room, diverting it back into the chimney.

What is the trapdoor in my fireplace?

An ash pit is a hole in your firebox in which old ashes can be placed. Its convenient location allows you to sweep in any ashes and embers, then seal them in by closing a small door. Ash pits are designed to withstand the heat from your fireplace while being easily accessible for the homeowner.

What is the door to a fireplace called?

At the base of the firebox is the hearth, and at the top of the firebox is the throat of the chimney, where a damper can be found in some fireplaces. The front of the firebox is called the fireplace opening, where glass doors can sometimes be found, or where a fireplace screen would be located.

What is a fireplace surround called?

Mantelpiece is now the general term for the jambs, mantel shelf, and external accessories of a fireplace.

Why do Southern homes have fireplaces?

In the South, fireplaces were placed at the far ends of the house to reduce heat buildup, keeping the house cooler in summer.

What is a fireplace cleanout door?

Chimney Clean Out Doors Make your chimney cleaning chore an easy breeze with the right chimney cleanout door. Installing a chimney cleanout door gives you handy access to the inside of your chimney so that you can easily clean it as often as needed without making a big mess.

How does a fireplace cleanout work?

The cleanout ash pit and door are intended to collect soot and ash falling down a flue and to provide a way to remove it. The pit must be below the point at which heating equipment flues and vents enter the chimney itself to prevent a dangerous flue blockage.

What are hearth doors on a fireplace?

Fireplace doors commonly sit on top of the hearth and directly in front of the fireplace opening. Different masonry fireplace hearth heights dictate the types of fireplace door fits you can install.

What is a fireplace fascia?

Fireplace surround refers to the part of the fireplace that protrudes from the wall and surrounds the opening of the fireplace.

What is a fireplace jamb?

Wall projecting from the back to form one side of the enclosure of a fire-place, carrying the arch, bar, mantle, or tree.

Why do old houses have fireplaces?

Benjamin Thompson, born in 1753 in Massachusetts, introduced the Rumford in a lengthy essay published under the moniker Count Rumford. The purpose of the fireplace was, essentially, to reduce the amount of smoke in homes while also providing more heat. His invention fulfilled its purpose!

What is the door in the bottom of my fireplace?

What is the little trap door in my fireplace?

How do you open an old fireplace door?

Typically, there are a pair of bolts on the top inside that secure the doors to the fireplace itself. Open the doors, lean into the fireplace, look up and to the left and right, and they should be right there. If the bolts won’t turn, try using a wrench or pliers to give yourself some extra leverage.

What is the purpose of a fireplace hearth?

Hearths serve a very important purpose as well as visually draw attention to the fireplace one of the key focal points in the room setting. Hearths essentially were created to serve a purpose rather than strictly as decoration. They make the fireplace area a safe place and also prevent fire hazards.