A fireplace is a part of a house. It can also be found in commercial buildings as well. This can be set in any place.
You may ask if you can put a fireplace in front of a window or not. Let us look into the matter and provide the information regarding this matter along with some additional information.
Putting a fireplace in front of a window
It is possible to put a fireplace in front of a window. There are various kinds of fireplaces available in the market that can be made. You can put most fireplaces in front of a window. But not all fireplaces can be put in front of a window due to various features and requirements of some fireplaces.
A fireplace can be set in any place of your choice. Setting the fireplace in front of a window is a common thing. Among all the places where you can set a fireplace, putting it in front of a window is one of the best places for it.
It looks beautiful when you place a fireplace in front of a window. The scenic view of the outside and the burning fire of the fireplace can make you pleased. But there are some limitations and pre-requirements if you want to put a fireplace in front of a window.
Almost all fireplaces can be set in front of a window. As the fireplace will have a heat-resistant layer at the back of the fireplace, heat will not spread out of the fireplace through the window. It will also prevent any safety hazards for the window.
Heat may cause the window glass to break. But if you use the proper window glass which is heat resistant, you may use a fireplace in front of that window. Any heat-resistant glass will not break due to the heat of the fireplace.
But some fireplaces cannot be put in front of a window. There are many reasons why some fireplaces cannot be placed in front of a window. Some cannot be placed due to no insulation for heat dissipation. Some fireplaces have requirements that cannot be fulfilled if a window is set behind the fireplace. There are a lot of problems with some particular fireplaces to be put in front of a window.
You may want to know which fireplaces can be put in front of a window. There are many fireplaces that can be put and cannot be put in front of a window. Let us provide you with information regarding some well-known and widely used fireplaces and observe if these can be put in front of a window or not.
Freestanding fireplace:
A freestanding fireplace is not recommended to be put in front of a window. It may lose valuable heat due to the conductivity of the window. But if you want, you may put one.
Wood fireplace:
Depending on the model and manufacturer, a wood fireplace can be set in front of a window. Some wood fireplaces can be installed without any prior preparation. But some cannot be placed without some necessary setup.
Electric fireplace:
An electric fireplace cannot be set in front of a window. An electric fireplace requires an electric connection. If there is a window behind it, it may cause an electric hazard
Gas fireplace:
You can put a gas fireplace in front of a window. A gas fireplace can be put in any place of your choice. But you need to ensure the structure of the fireplace and the availability of natural gas or propane before putting it.
How far should a window be from a fireplace?
A window should be 6 inches away from a fireplace. Fireplaces are essential home requirements that can be placed almost anywhere in the house, depending on the type and model of the fireplace. But some rules and regulations are required to be maintained to place a fireplace in front of a window.
An essential requirement is the distance between the window and fireplace. This is a critical requirement that has to be fulfilled for the safety and effectiveness of the fireplace. This is not only important but also mandatory to be performed.
The National Fire Code (NFC) says that the distance between combustible material and a fireplace has to be 6 inches. Window glasses are referred to be combustible. As they are combustible, the minimum distance has to be maintained when putting a fireplace in front of a window.
3 Things to consider while putting a fireplace in front of a window
Putting a fireplace in front of a window is not a simple task. When putting one in front of such a combustible material as a window, multiple things need to be considered. All these considerations are made based on the rules and regulations of the national safety code.
The safety and welfare of the user is a key matter that needs to be considered when putting a fireplace in front of a window. Thus, there are multiple things that can be considered when putting a fireplace in front of a window.
You may want to know what things to consider while putting a fireplace in front of a window. Here are the top 3 things that we think you should consider while putting a fireplace in front of a window.
Distance between fireplace and window:
The distance between fireplace and window is an important matter. It is also included in the National Fire Code. The distance has to be a minimum of 6 inches between the fireplace and window as the window is considered to be combustible material.
Proper heat protection between window and fireplace:
The back of the fireplace has to be correctly insulated. If not, heat will dissipate through the back of the fireplace and may pass through the window. Due to this, you will not get the necessary amount of warmth from the fireplace and the window may get damaged. Thus, you need to put proper heat protection called the insulator between the fireplace and the window.
Put recommended fireplaces in front of a window:
Not all fireplaces are recommended to be used in front of the window. Therefore, please select the right fireplace in front of the window you want to set or you may face various kinds of difficulties while using it.
Should I crack a window when using fireplace?
Yes, it would be best if you cracked a window when using fireplace. Opening a window is called cracking a window. This is a commonly performed thing by fireplace users when it comes to using a fireplace. This helps in operating the fireplace properly.
The fireplace needs air to create fire properly. But when there is a lack of air in the fireplace, it causes the fire to burn slower or cause a lot of smoke in the area. This is caused due to the negative pressure in the room. Negative pressure creates a scenario in the fireplace called partial vacuum.
A partial vacuum means there is a lack of air in the fireplace area. This will cause the fire in the fireplace to create smoke. As a result, your room will get filled with smoke and cause respiration problems. Cracking a window will provide some air to the fireplace and prevent the buildup of smoke.
How to decorate a fireplace with a window above it?
You can decorate a fireplace with a window above it in many ways. If you want to know the best suggestion of what you can do, here are some tips on how to decorate a fireplace with a window above it.
Set some plants:
Plants are the most common and easiest way to decorate a fireplace with a window above it. The plants you will keep on the top of the fireplace are small. These small plants require the least amount of care and can be beautiful. The plants can be just green plants or small flower plants.
Place some memorable photos:
You may also place some memorable photos on the top of the fireplace where there is a window above it. Pictures are said to be the best possible decoration for any place. You may put small pictures over the fireplace ridge which will look pretty.
Light some candles:
At night, you may consider lighting up some candles. This will increase the beauty of the fireplace and can be considered a worthy decoration. This can also create a heavenly for the people who will stay around the fireplace. Thus this is a recommended decoration by many fireplace users.
Final Thoughts
You can put a fireplace in front of a window. Many fireplace models and types can be put in front of a window. But you need to ensure that all necessary codes are fulfilled before putting a fireplace in front of a window. But some fireplaces cannot be put in front of a window due to some issues.