The Heart of Your Home

Today, nearly every new home is built with provision for at least one fireplace, most often in the lounge or living room. But fireplaces aren’t just limited to these areas - many homes now feature them in the kitchen, bedroom, dining room, or even outdoors.

While fireplaces add beauty and atmosphere to any home, their primary purpose remains clear: to provide an economical, reliable source of heat. That makes choosing the right fireplace one of the most important decisions when building or upgrading your home.

Step 1: Define Your Purpose

The first step in choosing your fireplace is to decide why you need it:

  • For heating: A must-have for homes in the Midlands, where winters are cold and long.
  • For ambience: Perfect for coastal KZN homes, where a fireplace may be more about charm and aesthetics than everyday heating.

You’ll also want to consider ease of use and your fuel preference:

  • Solid Fuel (Wood or Coal): Traditional, cost-effective, and perfect for creating a cosy, rustic feel.
  • Gas or Biofuel: Clean, modern options that often require less installation hassle - many don’t need a chimney or flue.

Step 2: Built-In vs. Freestanding

Your home’s design will largely determine which option is best:

  • Freestanding fireplaces are easier to install and can be placed in a corner or central location.
  • Built-in fireplaces often require more structural work, especially if your home doesn’t already have a chimney breast, but they deliver a sleek, integrated look.

Step 3: Open or Closed Combustion

This is one of the most important choices you’ll make:

  • Open Fireplaces: Beautiful and traditional, but inefficient - up to 90% of the heat escapes up the chimney.
  • Closed Combustion Fireplaces: Feature a glass door and a sealed chamber, giving you full control of airflow. With modern technology, these fireplaces achieve up to 80% efficiency, producing far more heat while using less fuel.

Closed combustion fireplaces also come in a wide range of styles and finishes, allowing you to match your fireplace perfectly to your home’s décor.

Step 4: Determine Your Heating Needs

To get the right fireplace, you’ll need to calculate how much heat (kW) is required for your room:

  1. Measure your room: Length × Width × Ceiling Height.
  2. If you have raised ceilings with trusses, measure from the lowest point of the ceiling and multiply by 1.5.
  3. Divide your cubic metre measurement by 25 to get an estimate of the kW you need.

Example Calculation:
Room size: 10m (L) × 8m (W) × 3m (H), with raised ceilings.

10 × 8 × 3 × 1.5 = 360 cubic metres
360 ÷ 25 = 14.4 kW required

This gives you a good starting point, but it’s always best to speak to our trained team. Our staff can visit your home, assess your space, and recommend the perfect fireplace to meet your heating needs safely and effectively.

Step 5: Trust the Experts

At Marksman Heating, we’ve been supplying and installing fireplaces in KwaZulu-Natal for nearly 30 years. Our team of experienced installers ensures that your fireplace isn’t just a beautiful feature, but a safe and efficient heating solution built to last.

We’ll guide you through every step - from selecting the right style and fuel type, to calculating your heating needs, to professional installation.