Firebacks Facts

3 Good Reasons to Add a Fireback to Your Fireplace

Protection & Safety
As our colonial forefathers well knew, the rear masonry of their fireplace was quite vulnerable to damage inflicted by the intense heat generated by burning logs. They relied on firebacks to help preserve the integrity of their fireplaces. Today's fireplaces, despite advances in refractory materials, are still vulnerable. And firebacks still represent the best means of reducing the likelihood of expensive damage to masonry, as well as the supporting studs behind the firewall, which tend to dry out with excessive heat, deteriorating and becoming a possible fire hazard.

Heat Reflection
With a fireback positioned in your fireplace, a portion of the heat which is normally lost, is reflected back into the living area of your home. In effect, the fireback functions as a heat radiator, increasing the efficiency of your fireplace by as much as 50%.

Beauty & History
An added, and often overlooked bonus of a fireback is that it permits the use of more attractive materials to line the firebox. White stucco, old paving bricks, stone, etc. can be specified in new construction, whereas in existing fireplaces, these materials have been applied over the yellow brick so common in most fireplaces today. In addition, the beauty and historical significance of the fireback itself lends charm to any fireplace.


General Fireback Tips

How to Select the Proper Size Fireback
Your fireback should be at least large enough to protect the area of the rear wall directly behind the fire. Also, the top of the fireback should not extend into the flue opening; otherwise, it may choke off the draft or interfere with the damper. Aside from these factors, size is pretty much an aesthetic choice. Generally, with a rear wall 30" to 48" wide, you can allow 4" to 15" on either side of the fireback. This provides a fair amount of leeway in allowing the same size fireback to be used in different sized fireplaces.

Instructions for Use with Gas-burning Fireplace
The Country Iron Foundry firebacks are glowingly highlighted by the flames of gas-burning logs, which in turn adds to the beauty of the entire fireplace. Any of the firebacks inserted into the patented Gas Log Safety Supports can simply be placed behind the logs. The supports not only raise the fireback for better viewing, but also allow it to lean forward, if required by the curvature of the rear wall.