True Custom Linear Burner – Custom Case Study

We were approached by a renowned local custom builder about pricing a project in Whistler.  One of the fireplaces was to be a linear fireplace feature, approximately six feet long, and clad in gold leaf backed glass.  The specification for the linear fireplace called for a stock model produced by a popular manufacturer of lower cost builders units.

Accommodations would have to be made in the finishing around the stock unit in terms of detailing and compromises made in the design for the horizontal seams. The finishing cladding would have to not only be exactly sized to suit the surrounding cladding, but the finishing details between the cladding and the fireplace would need tweaking to enhance the overall look of the feature wall.

To enhance the look of the flame we designed a relatively shallow firebox and lined the box with stainless panels. The flames were made to emerge through a crushed glass topping which increased the randomness of the flame and caused a further reflecting effect. When combined with the stainless steel, this magnified the flame effect.

As the cladding is glass it would not have been possible to run the glass finishing over the fireplace body as would normally be done with a stone or tile finish; the heat and movement would likely damage the glass.

To rectify this, we designed the unit so that the glass front was projected from the body of the fireplace in a “sleeve”, allowing the framing to run in the front of the fireplace body with backing to install the finish glass cladding on. The face of the sleeve was finished in stainless steel which provides an outline between the glass cladding and the fireplace glass, accentuating the stainless glass panels in the fireplace. In the end a stunning feature was created in a dramatic setting.

In this case the cost of the custom unit was actually similar to the “stock” unit, which given the size was not really stock, just built to order. But in many instances we see stock units being used as the focal point of a design in a project worth hundreds of thousands and often millions of dollars. Stock units can sometimes alter the design intent and can be cheap looking with poor fit and finish characteristics, especially if they are chosen based upon price. Unfortunately these elements are often not identified until the project is complete and it is difficult to correct. If you have a spectacular design with a fire feature, take a hard look at what is going in and make sure you are not diminishing the overall impact.  Penny wise, pound foolish.

Thinking about a custom fireplace?