How to Shop for a Fireplace Before Heating Season Starts

It's still warm out, which makes this a good time to think about the part of the year when it isn't.

If a new fireplace is somewhere on your list, the gap between summer and heating season is when the thinking gets done. Working out what fits, what it needs to do, and what the room can actually accommodate.

Here's how to make that process useful rather than overwhelming.

Start by measuring, not browsing

If you're replacing an existing fireplace or adding an insert, the measurements determine which units are even on the table. Coming in without them means a second trip.

Our FAQ lists exactly what to bring:

• The full dimensions of your fireplace cavity: width, height, and depth
• The depth of the lintel, meaning the thickness of the material above the opening
• Photos of your current fireplace and the surrounding area, from both inside and outside the house

That last one matters more than people expect. The exterior shot tells us what's happening with the chimney or where venting could run.

Know what you want the fireplace to do

There's a real difference between a fireplace you want to look at and a fireplace you want to heat with. While both are valid, they lead to different products.

If heat output is the goal and you have an existing masonry fireplace, a gas insert is the usual direction. Look at the Regency Insert Atmosphere Collection, the Kozy Heat Nordik Insert, or the Fireplace Xtrordinair Lopi Gas Insert.

If you're heating with wood, the Regency F2450 and Quadra-Fire Discovery Wood Stove Series are freestanding stoves, and the Quadra-Fire Expedition Wood Insert drops into an existing opening.

If ambiance is the priority and you'd rather not involve gas lines or venting, electric units like the Regency Skope Series, Kozy Heat Osseo Series, and DaVinci GreenSmart Electric Fireplace keep the project considerably smaller.

You don't need an existing fireplace

This is the most common assumption we correct. Direct vent gas fireplaces don't require a chimney or an existing fireplace. They can be fitted almost anywhere, including on interior walls. We went into more detail in our direct vent fireplace guide.

That opens up rooms most people had written off. The Regency City Series New York, Solas Sixty0, Heat & Glo Mezzo, and Town and Country TC42 are all worth seeing in person if you're starting from a blank wall.

Come see them running

We have over 125 fireplaces on display across our two showrooms. Photos and spec sheets only tell you so much, flame pattern, glass size, and how a unit reads in a room are things you have to stand in front of.

London: 970 Pond Mills Rd. Unit B, (519) 652-2774. Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday 9am–4pm.

St. Thomas: 43993 Talbot Ln., (519) 633-4256. Monday to Friday 9am–5pm, Saturday by appointment.

Or have us come to you

We offer free, no-obligation in-home assessments. There's no charge. A comfort advisor visits, assesses the space, reviews what you're trying to achieve, and walks you through the options that actually fit.

For anything involving venting, gas lines, or an unusual layout, this is the faster route. Book an assessment here.

While you're thinking about it

If you already have a fireplace and it hasn't been looked at recently, it's worth booking a service inspection before you're relying on it. Our technicians perform a visual check of the system, professional cleaning and fine-tuning, and carbon monoxide and combustion testing.

There is a fee for a service inspection, and it depends on the equipment type and the complexity of the work involved. Call our service team at (519) 652-0416 and let them know what you have.

If you'd rather get ahead of it on an ongoing basis, our Planned Service Maintenance Program includes priority scheduling, a 10% discount on repair parts and associated labour, a 5% discount on new equipment, and a guarantee that emergency service arrives within 12 hours or you don't pay the service call fee.

Ready when you are

Browse the full fireplace lineup, check our current promotions, or look at financing options if you'd rather spread the cost.

We've been doing this in London and St. Thomas for close to thirty years, and with our knowledge and expertise, we're ready to help you find the perfect fireplace.

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