Fireplaces come in an almost unlimited number of designs and styles. They can be made of different materials such as stones, bricks, aluminum, cast iron, or stainless steel. They can be fueled with wood, propane, or natural gas. And they can be installed either inside the house for indoor use, or outside of it for outdoor warmth.

Indoor fireplaces, apart from keeping you warm and comfortable, are elegant additions to your living rooms. Outdoor fireplaces are great centerpieces for any patio or backyard which allow you to enjoy the night sky even during the cold season. Those who wish to enjoy the benefits of both indoor and outdoor fireplaces, however, need to install two separate units. At least until now.

A recent innovation in fireplaces is the indoor outdoor fireplace. This is a single unit that can be used to simultaneously provide warmth, comfort, and a dreamy ambiance to the inside and outside of your house. Basically, the indoor outdoor fireplace consists of a casing that has an opening on both ends. One end opens inside the house, while the other opens outside. Contained within this casing is a combustion chamber enclosure that is made of see-through material. An air plenum system supplies air into the combustion chamber and an opening leading to the outside of the building clears exhaust fumes.

Heat from this chamber warms both indoors and outdoors through the two openings in the casing. Often these types of fireplaces are heated with natural gas thus eliminating floating embers, smoke, and the need to clean out ashes. For additional decor, fire screens can be installed on both inside and outside openings. Most models available in the market come with different fire screen designs to choose from. They are also available in several finishes such as black, brushed, bronze, pewter, nickel, or polished brass.

Indoor outdoor fireplaces are mounted on walls. With the see-through combustion chamber you can see the inside of your house if you are outside, or outside of it if you are inside. The walls on which fireplaces are mounted should not be made of combustible material. Wood and wallpapers should be nowhere near the place. Instead, stones, bricks, or concrete should surround the casing. Some designs include ceramic tiles with the concrete to add color or patterns to the wall.

To protect the outer face of the fireplace you can purchase a fireplace cover. This is usually made of quality durable black vinyl that can shield your fireplace from the harshest weather and thus keep it looking brand new.