A 3-sided electric fireplace is one of the most versatile of all fireplaces. You can literally take one fireplace and install it four ways. That’s one reason why they have never been more popular, with every major manufacturer making at least one in their collection. Most 3-sided electric fireplaces are linear in style, although there is a small group of more traditional and vertical 3-sided fireplaces. The depths of linear 3-sided electric fireplaces range from 9.5 to 14.5 inches. Viewing window heights vary from 15 to 22 inches. Widths range from 30-inches up to 100-inches. In addition to their linear 3-sided electric fireplaces, Dimplex has introduced the Aspire 3-sided fireplace in a more traditional portrait orientation. There really is a 3-sided electric fireplace for every room. Amantii even makes their 3-sided electric fireplaces suitable for indoor and outdoor use, so you can add one to your backyard or patio.
Built-in Bay Window 3-sided electric fireplaces
When most people think of 3-sided fireplaces, they picture a bay window effect, with glass along the front as well as both ends. These multi-sided fireplaces are perfect for today’s open-concept living spaces. Having glass on the ends of the fireplace enhances the openness of a room, allowing us to see into the fireplace from multiple angles or as we walk past. With many different depths to choose from, you will need to decide how much glass you wish to see at the ends. A shallower fireplace will have shallower glass on the ends. Also, the size of the included media kits will vary based on the fireplace depth. Larger, more realistic logs will only be found in deeper 3-sided fireplaces.
Built-in L-shape 3-sided electric fireplaces
If you like the idea of having glass on the end of the fireplace, but your room layout won’t work with a bay window design, you’re in luck. All 3-sided electric fireplaces come with metal end caps that will cover the glass on one or both ends. An L-shaped fireplace works well when you need to back one end up against a wall or cabinet, if you want the fireplace to stop at a corner, or if you prefer an asymmetrical design.
Built-in Front-facing 3-sided electric fireplaces
When you cover both ends of a 3-sided electric fireplace, you end up with a single-sided frameless fireplace. This appeals to many homeowners and designers who prefer that the wall materials run right up to the viewing window on the fireplace. Because 3-sided electric fireplaces are deeper than typical 6-inch electric fireplaces, they tend to have more realistic flame effects. For this reason, many of our clients will install them this way, to get the advantage of the extra depth as well as the frameless viewing window.
Built-in Models
Amantii: Tru-View-XL, TRV-XT-XL, TRV-Slim, TRV-Bespoke
Dimplex: Ignite Bold, Ignite Ultra, Ignite Aspire
Modern Flames: Landscape Pro Multi, Orion Multi
Napoleon: Luminex, TriVista Primis
Semi-flush 3-sided electric fireplaces
While a 3-sided fireplace has many installation variations, most are designed to be all-in. That is, the fireplace is installed fully flush into the wall or cabinet, with the width and depth of the wall matching the fireplace measurements fully. However, there is a small group of 3-sided electric fireplaces that may be installed semi-flush into the wall. That is, the back part of the fireplace is put into the wall, while the front part of the fireplace sticks out of the wall to the depth of the side glass. In this type of installation, the wall may be wider or taller than the fireplace, and the fireplace sits proud of the wall. There are several advantages to a semi-flush installation:
- It allows us to have a 3-sided fireplace in a shallower wall.
- It allows us to add a mantel shelf or ledge above the fireplace.
Semi-flush Models
Modern Flames: Landscape Pro Multi
Napoleon: Astound Flexmount
Surface-mounted 3-sided electric fireplaces
Thanks to the creativity of fireplace manufacturers like Napoleon and Amantii, there are also 3-sided electric fireplaces that may be hung on the wall, with no construction required. The key to this type of fireplace is to minimize the depth, so that the fireplace is not projecting out too far into the room. This category of 3-sided fireplace also includes a few that are vertically oriented, rather than linear. They all have a few common advantages over other 3-sided electric fireplaces:
- They are easier to install.
- They may be plugged in to a nearby outlet or hard-wired to hide the cord.
- They may be moved or repositioned.
Surface-mounted Models
Amantii: Cube 2025WM
Napoleon: Allure Vertical, Astound Flexmount, Trivista Pictura
Peninsula 3-sided electric fireplaces
A peninsula fireplace is one that has glass on 2 long sides, and 1 short side. This type of 3-sided fireplace tends to be used as a room divider because it projects out into the room. To create a peninsula effect with an electric fireplace, we need to use the Dimplex Optimyst cassette system. Optimyst cassettes turn tap water into mist, which looks like live flames when hit with orange light. These cassettes come in 20-inch sections, and can be installed end-to-end to create longer fireplaces. They may be filled manually, but we recommend that they be connected to a plumbing line if at all possible. There is no glass around the flames with an Optimyst cassette, so it is open to the room around it. While there are Optimyst fireplaces that do have glass, none of them can be set up with 3 sides.
Peninsula Models
Dimplex: CDFI500-PRO, CDFI500-PRO-RBG
Summary
As you can see, there are many different 3-sided electric fireplace models available, and many different ways to design around them.