Rumford Fireplaces

We Build Beautiful Rumford Fireplaces

Are you in the design stages of building a home or addition? Do you want a fireplace that is not only beautiful but makes the room very warm and cozy? There is nothing better than spending a winter night next to a roaring fire. If you are interested in adding one of these or you are in the building process already, you should consider a Rumford fireplace and all the benefits that it offers.

A lot of people have heard of a Rumford fireplace, but not many really are sure what it is.

As you begin to compare a Rumford fireplace to more traditional options you will soon find that there are multiple advantages. From the start it is easy to see that these fireplaces are tall and shallow. This allows the fireplace to radiate more heat. Rumford fireplaces have a streamlined throat that helps carry smoke away without losing heat from the house.

Part of the genius of the throat system is how it eliminates any turbulence for the smoke. The design is smooth and reduces to a narrow opening. This creates an increase in velocity and shoots the smoke out while reducing the pulling of unnecessary heated room air into the chimney. This allows for a taller fireplace opening, sometimes up to a foot or more!

The facade of the fireplace can be customized by using brick or stone, marble or tile. None of the finishing design elements affects the performance of the Rumford.

Who Is A Rumford Fireplace for?

Is a Rumford fireplace right for me? Well, this all depends on what you are looking for. Typically this type of fireplace is perfect for those who enjoy the crackling of wood burning, very warm heat and the smell of a good fire. This is a wood burning enthusiast's fireplace for sure. It is also appealing to the person who wishes to be able to provide heat for their home, especially during a winter storm event such as a blizzard or ice storm that we often encounter in New England's winters. It is also emission friendly. It is the only fireplace that is as clean burning as high performance woodstoves. There is very little smoke from a properly built Rumford.

When you compare the financial benefits of a Rumford fireplace to those that require gas or oil, it is easy to see why these are making a comeback. Believe it or not, Rumford fireplaces have been around for several hundred years. In fact they were most common between 1796 and 1850 when people relied on wood to heat their homes. While they died off in popularity for a few years, now more than ever people are once again looking into adding one of these to their home.

Benefits of a Rumford Fireplace

The Rumford geometry: a tall, shallow firebox and a streamlined throat — smoke goes up, heat comes out.

There is no denying the many options that you have when it comes to installing a fireplace in your home. In today's day and age, you don't even need a chimney. While there is nothing wrong with a portable electric fireplace for example, these do not have nearly as much character or benefits as a Rumford.

Here are some of the many benefits:

• Real masonry, built to last
• Very good radiant heaters
• Classic look and feel
• Real wood burning unit
• Tall, shallow and elegant appearance
• Safety net for power outages and various winter emergencies
• Can help offset the rising price of heating oil and gas
• Burns cleaner with less smoke emissions

Curious about the actual savings? See how a properly designed chimney and wood-burning fireplace can reduce reliance on gas or oil heat.

Does a Rumford Fireplace cost more than a regular fireplace?

At JB Mohler Masonry we consider a true Rumford to be built following the specifications found at Rumford.com — the Buckley Rumford Company, the recognized authority on Rumford fireplaces. We're a listed builder in their directory and an active contributor in the Rumford builders' community. The Rumford fireplace is more than the dimensions of the firebox. It is the curved and tapered throat that has a precise measurement from the top of the firebox. On top of that is a smoke chamber built to exact specifications.

If you're going to the effort of crafting a fireplace as iconic and functional as the Rumford, it only makes sense to follow the instructions.

That said, it is more costly to construct a proper Rumford as compared to our standard fireplace installations, although most don't consider it a deal breaker. This is by most standards the best radiant heating fireplace that can be built. For comparison it is probably less than upgrading to a granite countertop.

Want to see exactly what that craftsmanship looks like? Follow our granite Rumford fireplace build in Wayland, MA from stone selection to the herringbone firebox.

Are you interested in a Rumford Fireplace?

If you have fallen in love with the benefits of a Rumford fireplace and its beautiful appearance, it is important to find a qualified masonry contractor with installation experience. At JB Mohler Masonry we have built many Rumford fireplaces and it is our passion to build authentic New England masonry fireplaces. It doesn't get any more authentic than building a fireplace named after its inventor, who was born Benjamin Thompson in Woburn, Massachusetts in 1753.

It is hard for many people to believe that Rumford fireplaces have been popular for more than 200 years. When you add one of these to your home you are getting more than the benefits of the fireplace itself. You are also giving your home a unique and classic look and feel that has been a historical icon for centuries.

We build Rumford fireplaces throughout Worcester County, Middlesex County, and Norfolk County. If you're planning a new home or addition, give us a call at (978) 365-6800 or fill out our online contact form and we'll get right back to you.

Questions about Rumford fireplaces

What is a Rumford fireplace?

A fireplace design worked out in the 1790s by Count Rumford, who was born Benjamin Thompson in Woburn, Massachusetts. It has a tall, shallow firebox with angled sides that throw heat into the room, and a rounded, streamlined throat that carries the smoke out without pulling the room's warm air up the chimney with it.

Can an existing fireplace be turned into a Rumford?

A true Rumford is built from the hearth up to exact throat and smoke chamber specifications, so the right time to build one is new construction, an addition, or a room that is being opened up to the framing. If you want an existing fireplace to look new without the tear-out, a fireplace makeover is the better route.

How do I take care of a Rumford fireplace?

The same way you take care of any wood-burning fireplace: burn dry, seasoned hardwood, keep the flue clean, and have the chimney inspected once a year. A properly built Rumford burns clean, so there is less to clean.

What wood is best to burn in a Rumford?

Seasoned hardwood such as oak, maple, ash, or hickory. It burns hotter and longer than softwood and leaves less creosote behind. Split it and let it dry at least a season before you burn it.