Buying Guide

Making the Right Choice

Everyone has a different style. Every home has a different need. And there are literally hundreds of hearth choices. So, to help you make the right choice for you and your home, we’ll guide you through the basics of what to consider.

Presentation

The look and presentation of the hearth are determined by a combination of several features. When choosing a product, the following is what you will typically encounter.

Log set (gas only)

Designed to emulate the detailed look of burning stacked wood, log sets are typically made of ceramic material that is hand painted for realism. The appearance, detailing and realism of a log set vary from product to product.

Burner (gas only)

The pan burner is the system that runs under the log set and creates the flame and the glow of the ember bed. The quality and appearance of the flame and ember bed vary depending on the burner technology.

Flame control (gas only)

Many gas fireplaces allow you to adjust the height and intensity of the flame—either manually or by remote control.

Firebox/brick liners

The interior walls of Lennox® fireplaces feature a variety of brick patterns, i.e., Traditional, Herringbone, etc. Made of ceramic material and painted to emulate the look of brick or masonry, each design creates a distinctive look and feel to the overall presentation.

Louvers

This feature has both form and function. Louvers are slanted grilles above and/or below the firebox opening and help circulate heated air into the room. Louvers have a characteristic effect on the exterior look of the fireplace.

Louverless

Fireplaces without louvers are typically decorative because they do not circulate heat into the room. Instead, the exterior of the fireplace is simple and clean looking, and often features a larger viewing area.

Design Options

Standard and optional design options can help integrate a fireplace into your home décor. These decorative nuances can help complete the perfect look and feel you want to create.

Arch Door Trim

This decorative flair attaches to the existing door to give the fireplace an upscale appearance.

Doors

Lennox offers a variety of doors for several hearth products. They are available in bi-fold (four panels), double (two panels) and single (one panel). In addition, doors are often available in a variety of shapes and finishes—allowing for a truly customized look.

Filigree

These decorative brass louvers are highly fashionable but may reduce airflow through a circulating fireplace.

Glass Door/Glass Panel

Glass doors and panels, while standard on some models, are optional on others and can give the fireplace a graceful, sophisticated look and feel.

Hidden Screen Pockets

Recessed areas on both sides of the firebox provide an area where the mesh screen can be retracted and hidden to increase visibility of the fire.

Log Rack

Rack holds the artificial logs above the burner and are available in simple to decorative types.

Surround

Decorative marble, tile or wood or other material can be used to finish the fireplace installation and provide a high level of appeal or focal point in a room.

Surround Cabinet

Lennox offers a variety of surround cabinets that enclose the top, front and sides of a gas fireplace so it does not have to be recessed into the wall. Cabinets usually come in wall or corner models.

Trim

For just the right touch of style and personal reflection, most fireplaces feature a choice of decorative trim options, such as brass bars and louvers that create an upscale look for a fireplace.

Firescreens

This feature adds both aesthetic appeal and safety (for wood-burning fireplaces). Many fireplaces feature recessed screen pockets to keep them out of sight when opened.

Andirons

Designed to add a touch of realism, while helping keep logs from shifting, andirons are part of the log grate and come in a variety of styles.

Lennox Hearth Products Collections

As you explore the site, you will discover a variety of product collections. The following information will provide a snapshot of each.

Dave Lennox Signature™ Collection

This premium collection of products represents the pinnacle of hearth innovation, and helped set the industry benchmark for design and aesthetics. Each product bearing this name delivers the highest Lennox standard of excellence.

Country® Collection

Acquired by Lennox Hearth Products, the Country Collection is designed and manufactured by the company formerly known as Country Stoves. Backed by a long tradition of excellence, these stoves offer innovative wood- and pellet-burning technologies and classic designs.

The Elite® Series

Products featured in this collection deliver the ideal combination of style, quality and comfort. Designed with the latest technology advancements, Elite Series products offer quality, innovative choices for the modern home.

The Merit® Plus Series

From quality and realism to style and convenience, this collection delivers modern value with added features and options.

The Merit® Series

With popular styles, convenient features and reliable operation, this series delivers a great value in performance and price.

Superior®

Superior-brand products answer the call for quality, attractive fireplaces at an affordable price.

Fuel Type

The kind of fuel the hearth product is burning is the key determination of how the fire will look and feel. The following are brief descriptions of each fuel type.

Wood

A wood-burning fire provides optimal visual entertainment and is ideal for both heating and decorative hearth products. From brilliant and blazing to slow and steady, there is a natural ebb and flow to the flame—with constant action. Wood also adds the elements of crackling, popping and hissing that some feel are an essential aspect to the fireplace experience.

From starting the fire to maintaining the flame, wood-burning products require attention, cleaning and loading. High-efficiency models help reduce the amount of fuel and effort needed to maintain the fire.

NOTE: Several regions around the country have specific local regulations regarding emissions from wood-burning appliances. Please check with your local codes before choosing a specific fuel type.

Gas

A gas fire delivers the peaceful ambiance of a wood-burning fire, but flames are more even and consistent. With several models, the flame height and intensity can be adjusted. Log sets are ceramic and designed with fine details like charred edges, textured bark and a glowing ember bed to maintain an authentic feel. Gas products are available to operate with propane (LP) or natural gas.

Gas fireplaces and stoves require almost no effort to start and maintain. They are often remote controlled or feature an easy-access control panel.

NOTE: Check local service for availability.

Pellet

An optimal fuel for hearth products, pellets offer a unique and dramatic fire experience and deliver powerful, dense heat. The fires tend to be very active and constant. The flames are dense and powerful, offering a brilliant glow. Quality, availability and price of pellet fuel will vary from region to region.

Compared to wood, pellet-burning products are inherently more convenient. Large hoppers and automatic feed systems eliminate constant tending to the fire and burnout. They do require cleaning and fuel needs to be loaded periodically.

NOTE: Several regions around the country have specific local regulations regarding emissions from pellet-burning appliances. Please check with your local codes before choosing a specific fuel type.

Electric

Electric fireplaces are typically light projections that simulate a burning fire. The fires often have similar characteristics of a gas fire with consistent flame activity. In addition, they require almost no effort to start and maintain, and are often remote controlled or feature an easy-access control panel.

Heat & Comfort

Where there's fire, there's heat. The element of warmth adds to the overall pleasure of owning a hearth product, and you have choices on the amount of heat and comfort the product delivers.

Decorative

Many fireplaces and log sets are designed to be purely decorative—meaning, they only deliver low radiant heat or no heat at all (typically electric).

Heat-circulating

Several fireplaces and stoves are designed to be a heat source, adding supplemental heat to your living space by circulating warm air through a fan.

BTU (British Thermal Unit)

The amount of BTU output will help determine the amount of heat that will be delivered into a room. The higher the BTU, the more square footage that can be heated.

EPA-certified

Lennox offers a variety of fireplaces and stoves that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EPA Phase II guidelines for clean-burning efficiency and safety.

Many areas require EPA certification for wood-burning appliances. Check local codes.

Venting

The type of venting options depends on the hearth product—there is a variety of systems available. Your home environment, type of appliance, altitude, weather, and installation requirement will often dictate what configuration is appropriate, so be sure to consult a Lennox professional, builder or remodeler.

Direct-vent (gas)

Draws combustion air from outside and returns combustion exhaust back to the outside of the house. Glass panels keep combustion sealed to maintain efficiency and ensure indoor air quality.

B-vent (gas)

Draws combustion air from inside the home and vents combustion exhaust to the outdoors.

Vent-free or ventless

Draws combustion air from inside the home and is designed to burn so efficiently and completely that it eliminates the need for venting.

NOTE: Several regions around the country have specific local regulations regarding vent-free or ventless products. Please check with your local authority before choosing one of these products.

Non-catalytic combustion (wood and pellet only)

A few Lennox® products feature non-catalytic technology, maintaining higher firebox temperatures and metered oxygen flow for maximum fuel value. Achieving reduced emissions without the need for a catalyst means less maintenance.

LENNOX® and the LENNOX® logo are registered trademarks of Lennox Industries Inc. or its affiliates, and are used here with permission. Owners of Lennox-branded hearth products should direct questions and requests regarding warranty service, replacement parts and other product information to IHP and not to Lennox Industries Inc.