How to Choose the Right Electric Fireplace for Your Custom Media Wall

A standard front-facing inset fire sits in a recessed pocket within the stud-work and generates minimal heat transfer to the structure above — straightforward to frame. A three-sided panoramic fire has glass on three faces and requires a fully ventilated enclosure with the TV mounted at a height calculated from the fire\'s heat output rating. Some panoramic models generate significant upward heat that requires a heat-deflector shelf built into the frame, adding complexity and cost to the carpentry.

Before committing to a fire model, share the nominal inset dimensions, vent requirements, and maximum TV weight with your carpenter. We build sub-frames to the fire manufacturer\'s clearance tolerances — getting this wrong means rebuilding the frame. For period properties in Windsor and Eton where chimney breasts exist, some clients opt for a real-flame bioethanol fire using the existing flue; we frame for either approach and can advise at the measuring visit.