Single Sided Fireplaces

A single-sided fireplace is a zero-clearance bioethanol fireplace with one open viewing face, which means flame is visible only from the front. Because it requires no chimney, gas connection, or electrical outlet, it installs directly into a wall cavity or sits as a built-in element, and the entire heat output stays in the room rather than venting up a flue.

This makes it ideal for feature walls, cabinetry integration, and existing fireplace openings in both residential and commercial spaces. EcoSmart Fire's single-sided range spans multiple sizes, all powered by clean-burning bioethanol fuel, giving you design flexibility whether you are planning a renovation, adding to a new build, or customising around an existing opening.

EcoSmart single-sided fireplace viewing area options span 12 sizes, each with a consistent height of 502 mm [19.8 in] and depth of 340 mm [13.4 in]. Viewing width ranges from 379 mm [14.9 in] to 4,031 mm [158.7 in], allowing you to match the fireplace scale to your space and design vision.

The range divides into five categories. Small models (14.9 in width) and medium models (around 31.9 in) offer a single, unobstructed flame view through the All Flame configuration, ideal for compact spaces or intimate flame experiences. Larger models (60 in and beyond) unlock additional frame configurations: Box Left and Box Right place the burner in a decorative side enclosure, creating sculptural presence, or Two Boxes flank the flame on both sides for maximum architectural statement.

Your choice shapes the flame's presence in the room. A narrow viewing area creates intimate focus; wider apertures make the flame a dramatic architectural centrepiece. Each width pairs with a scaled burner (XL500, XL700, XL900, XL1200), ensuring consistent flame character across the range.

Single-sided fireplaces are designed for spaces where you want a strong focal point against a wall, while double-sided (see-through) fireplaces work best in open-plan areas where you want to preserve sightlines and divide space without walls. The difference comes down to room layout and how fire functions in your space. A single-sided fireplace commands attention in a living room, dining space, or home office, anchoring the room architecturally and creating the intimate gathering effect of a traditional hearth. Double-sided fireplaces perform a different role: they're transparent room dividers that let light and sight flow between adjacent spaces while still establishing distinct zones. Think of one creating a focal destination, the other creating visual continuity.

Installation flexibility differs too. Single-sided fireplaces integrate neatly into recessed joinery, media walls, or between kitchen and living areas where a solid anchor matters. Double-sided fireplaces thrive in island installations, central hallways, or transitions between open-plan zones, where you want people to experience fire from multiple viewpoints without losing the sense of a unified space.

Because EcoSmart Fire's bioethanol fireplaces require no flue, gas line, or external venting, both configurations work anywhere traditional fireplaces couldn't. Single-sided offers you focal-point design; double-sided offers you spatial fluidity. Choose single-sided if you want fire to be the destination. Choose double-sided if you want fire to connect your spaces while defining them.

Single-sided ethanol fireplaces offer greater installation freedom and design flexibility than gas alternatives, primarily because they require no flue, chimney, or gas line connection. This makes them suitable for apartments, retrofits, and spaces where running a gas supply is impractical or costly.

The practical differences come down to infrastructure and efficiency. Gas fireplaces vent combustion byproducts through a flue, losing a portion of their heat output in the process. EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces burn cleanly without a flue, so all generated heat stays in the room rather than being lost through venting, with output ranging from 3 to 9 kW depending on burner configuration. They produce no smoke, soot, or ash, which simplifies both installation and ongoing maintenance.

Gas fireplaces require a certified gas fitter, dedicated supply line, and compliant venting. EcoSmart Fire's single-sided range installs into standard wood or metal stud framing with true zero-clearance construction, and some configurations are ready for finishing in under an hour. No specialist trades, no structural modifications.

Both fuel types create a genuine flame. The choice often comes down to whether the space has existing gas infrastructure or whether the project benefits from the placement freedom that a ventless, flue-free design provides. EcoSmart Fire models carry UL 1370 and EN 16647 certification.

Installation of an EcoSmart Fire single-sided bioethanol fireplace takes under one hour once the wall framing is complete, though the overall project timeline depends on how long it takes to prepare the opening.

The installation divides into two distinct phases. Framing preparation, which involves building a level, weight-capable cavity to the product's specifications, varies with your room (typically handled by builders during construction). Once framing is ready, placing the appliance is elegantly simple: slide the unit into the cavity, secure with screws, level and fasten, then place the burner, insert glass panels, install the windscreen, and spread glass charcoal. This takes under an hour for a single person.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces require no gas lines, flue installation, or electrical connections. Unlike traditional fireplaces that need masons, electricians, and HVAC coordination, this installation is genuinely self-contained. Builders and homeowners alike can complete it without specialist trades, which saves significantly on labour costs and project delays.

Only three hand tools are needed: a power drill, screwdriver, and level. 3D CAD files (DWG, 3DS, DXF) are available for specifying exact framing dimensions before construction begins.

Single-sided EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces require a minimum room volume of 40 m³ [1,413 ft³] for compact installations, up to 115 m³ [4,059 ft³] for larger burner sizes. The specific requirement depends on your burner configuration and room dimensions. Bioethanol produces only heat, water vapour, and CO₂, so no structural ventilation (no flue, duct, or chimney) is necessary. Functional air exchange through an open window or door is sufficient for safe operation.

To give this practical context: 40 m³ covers most standard residential rooms, roughly a 4 m × 5 m × 2 m [13 ft × 16 ft × 6.5 ft] space. If your room is larger, you can accommodate a bigger burner without issue. Observe these clearances: 600 mm [24 in] from fixed furniture, 1,500 mm [59 in] from flammable materials (curtains and soft furnishings), and 1,500 mm [59 in] overhead to ceilings or surfaces above.

For the exact configuration suited to your space, consult the product specifications or contact EcoSmart Fire directly.

The right size single-sided bioethanol fireplace depends primarily on your room's volume and the visual presence you want the flame to command. Start with your room's dimensions (length × width × height in metres) to calculate cubic volume, as EcoSmart's sizing guidance uses this metric because adequate ventilation depends on room air capacity, not just floor area. A compact fireplace (around 813 mm [32 in] viewing width) suits rooms of 80 m³ (2,825 ft³) or more, while larger viewing widths (1,270-1,727 mm [50-68 in]) work best in spaces of 110-115 m³ (3,885-4,061 ft³).

Unlike gas alternatives that require flue installation dictating placement, bioethanol's ventless design gives you design freedom; you can position the fireplace where it makes the most visual and spatial sense for your room, not where a chimney must go. The flame's visual impact and warmth output (roughly 13,000-15,000 BTU/h across the range) add ambience and background heating, complementing your existing climate control rather than serving as primary heat.

Consider how you want the flame to anchor your space: a compact width works well in intimate corners or alcoves, while larger viewing areas become a true focal point. All models carry UL and EN safety certifications, require no gas lines or electrical connection, and burn with thermal efficiency over 90 percent, delivering real flame without the complexity of traditional fireplaces.