Wood-Burning Fireplaces & Installation

Create a gathering place in your home with the warmth and character of a real wood fire.

Thompson’s Hearth & Home offers wood-burning fireplaces for new homes, remodels, and replacement projects. Whether your priority is an open-fire experience or an enclosed fireplace designed for heating, we’ll help you understand the options.

Visit our Issaquah showroom for personal guidance from owners Guy and Nicole Thompson. We serve Issaquah, Sammamish, Bellevue, Snoqualmie, North Bend, and nearby Eastside communities, with installation by our own in-house team.

Choose Your Fireplace Around How You’ll Use It

Start by thinking about the role you want the fireplace to play.

Will you light occasional fires for atmosphere, burn regularly through winter, or look to the fireplace for supplemental heat? Your answer helps determine which type of appliance makes sense.

We’ll discuss your heating goals, preferred appearance, available space, and willingness to load and maintain a wood-burning appliance.

Traditional & Open Wood-Burning Fireplaces

If your priority is the experience of an open wood fire, a traditional fireplace may be the right direction.

These fireplaces emphasize flame viewing and atmosphere. Depending on the model, designs may include open masonry fireboxes, screens, or doors that operate in specific configurations.

Heating performance and operating requirements vary. We’ll explain what to expect from the model you choose, including its approved door positions, chimney requirements, and suitability for your project.

High-Efficiency Wood-Burning Fireplaces

An enclosed, high-efficiency fireplace is worth considering when useful heat and regular winter operation are priorities.

These appliances use controlled combustion to get more useful energy from the wood. Depending on the model, features may include combustion-air controls, blowers, or approved heat-distribution options.

We’ll help you compare heating capacity, firebox size, loading access, maintenance needs, and how heat will reach the areas you want to warm.

Glass size alone does not determine efficiency. Compare the specific appliance’s tested performance and intended use.

Wood Fireplace Brands We Carry

Our selection includes Renaissance, RSF, and Mason-Lite, offering different approaches to wood-fire enjoyment, heating, and fireplace construction.

We’ll help you compare suitable models from these brands and explain how their installation requirements affect the design of your room.

Bring inspiration photos or plans when you visit so we can connect the look you want with a practical installation.

Wood Fireplace or Wood Insert?

A built-in wood fireplace is installed as part of a fireplace enclosure and chimney system. It is typically considered when adding a fireplace, building a home, or undertaking a replacement project.

A wood insert fits inside a suitable existing wood-burning fireplace. Compatibility depends on the existing fireplace and the insert manufacturer’s requirements.

If you already have a wood-burning fireplace and want to improve its heating performance, explore our wood inserts.

Plan Your Fireplace Before Finalizing the Room

A wood-burning fireplace affects more than the finished wall.

Chimney routing, structural support, required clearances, hearth protection, outside air, and surrounding finishes all need consideration. Some designs also need electrical connections for optional or required equipment.

Involving us early helps you and your builder understand the selected appliance’s requirements before framing and finish decisions are finalized.

For a replacement, bring photos of the existing fireplace and any accessible manufacturer label. We’ll help identify what needs further assessment and explain the proposed scope of work.

Heating During a Power Outage

If outage heating is important to you, tell us when comparing models.

Many wood-burning appliances can provide heat without household electricity, but electrically powered blowers and heat-distribution equipment will not operate without power. The effect on heat delivery depends on the fireplace and its installation.

We’ll explain the capabilities and limitations of the specific model you’re considering.

Responsible Wood Burning & Local Restrictions

Good results depend on dry, suitable firewood, correct operation, and regular fireplace and chimney maintenance.

Follow the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and check current local burn restrictions before lighting a fire. Certification does not provide blanket permission to burn during every air-quality restriction.

For guidance, visit the EPA’s wood-burning practices page and Washington’s burn-ban information page.

Installation by Our Own Team

Thompson’s Hearth & Home has been owned and operated by Guy and Nicole since 2004, with Guy’s hearth-industry experience dating back to 1989.

Our own experienced in-house team handles fireplace installation. We’ll explain the work included in your estimate and identify any related construction, electrical, or finish work that needs to be coordinated separately.

For chimney sweeping and related services, our service page provides local referrals.

Start Your Wood Fireplace Project

Bring your plans, measurements, or photos to our Issaquah showroom. We’ll help you compare options and take the next step toward an estimate.

Contact us to discuss your project.