Visit our
online store for mantels, fireplace accessories and overstock items:
Rumford and Bellfires
Fireplaces
We design and build higher
efficiency Rumford style and Bellfires brand fireplaces (and
of course, the facial wall, liner, and chimney to go with
it). Rumford style fireplaces are 30-40% efficient,
while a regular box-style fireplace is only 5-10% efficient.
The Newer
"BOX" style fireplace is only 0-10%
efficient. Most of the heat from the fire goes up the chimney. This is the fireplace style that is
most common among U.S. builders, simply because this
is the style they learned to use early in our U.S.
history and it became the standard. We do not recommend
it.
This design was
created by Count Rumford in the 1700's, and is the
most efficient fireplace and throat design
available. Note that the side walls have been
angled out to allow more heat transfer into the
room. We highly recommend this method for new construction, and to
replace old fireboxes where possible.
We'll be happy to provide an estimate to build
a Rumford style fireplace in your home.
At left is a new Rumford style fireplace in the process of being built
at a home in Grain Valley, MO.
Standard buff color firebrick are used, and the surrounding walls are
block, then an exterior wall of brick will be put in place.
The Skistimas Rumford fireplace, Grain Valley, MO
This is the almost finished fireplace around the Rumford firebox in
photo #1 above. We used real river stones for the hearth, surround, and
mantel that the client hauled up from a nearby stream.
The weight of the stone face required additional support under the
floor.
Small Bellfires cast fireplace with stainless steel smoke dome. An
authentic 1840's - 1860's Victorian cast iron fireplace face from
England is installed in front of the fireplace.
Sample large Bellfires fireplace in our showroom with tile surround and
painted wood mantel.
Sample Rumford style fireplace built by Gene Padgitt in our showroom.
Note angled side walls of firebrick and shallow depth of fireplace.
The front was finished with Centurian Stone river rock.
