Thompson's Hearth & Home in Issaquah offers a wide range of wood-burning fireplaces to suit your needs—whether you're seeking the classic ambiance of a traditional open wood-burning fireplace or the superior performance of a high-efficiency model.

Our wood fireplaces provide an environmentally friendly way to heat your home on a daily basis. Many can even serve as your primary heat source during power outages, delivering reliable warmth without electricity. Select models feature advanced thermostatic controls (such as Delta, Opel, or Focus 320 systems) that maintain steady temperatures, extend burn times between reloads, and enhance overall comfort and efficiency.

Modern wood-burning fireplaces have advanced significantly in recent years. Today's EPA-certified models produce very low emissions—meeting strict standards of 2.0 grams per hour (or 2.5 g/hr for cordwood-tested units) of particulate matter. This clean performance often allows burning even during Stage 1 air quality burn bans in the Puget Sound region (administered by Puget Sound Clean Air Agency), where uncertified or older appliances are restricted, but certified low-emission units are typically permitted (check current bans at pscleanair.gov for details).

What’s the Difference Between a Fireplace and an Insert?

  • Fireplace: Built directly into your home's structure—ideal for new construction or major remodels. It becomes a permanent part of the wall or chimney system.

  • Insert: Designed to fit into an existing wood-burning fireplace opening. It upgrades an older, inefficient masonry fireplace with modern efficiency and emissions control. If you don't have an existing wood-burning fireplace, an insert isn't an option.

What’s the Difference Between a Standard Fireplace and a High-Efficiency Fireplace?

Traditional fireplaces are tested under the older "low-mass" standard, allowing higher emissions (historically up to 7.3 grams of particulates per kg of wood burned). They typically feature large viewing windows (over 500 sq. inches of glass) and burn hotter and faster, with less control over the air intake—resulting in shorter burn times and higher fuel use.

High-efficiency fireplaces (often classified or functioning like wood stoves) meet stricter EPA standards:

  • Emissions capped at 2.0–2.5 g/hr (2020 NSPS requirements).

  • Better draft/air control for longer, cleaner burns.

  • Smaller fireboxes and glass areas (under 500 sq. inches in many cases) for improved heat retention and efficiency.

  • Superior overall performance, often rivaling freestanding wood stoves in heat output and fuel savings.

At Thompson’s Hearth & Home, we're proud to carry these exceptional wood-burning brands:

  • Renaissance — Customizable, high-performance masonry fireplaces with excellent heat distribution and clean-burning technology.

  • RSF (ICC-RSF) — Innovative factory-built wood fireplaces known for large viewing areas, efficiency, and reliable performance.

  • Mason Lite — Premium masonry fireplace systems with superior fit/finish, low emissions (including Pureburn technology), and options for see-through or standard designs.