What Is a Guillotine Fireplace? Models, Dimensions, and Prices
A guillotine fireplace is a modern type of fireplace featuring a closed combustion system with a glass door that opens by sliding upwards. It retains heat within the room while preserving the view of the wood fire; therefore, it is among the most preferred fireplace models for homes, villas, summer houses, and mountain cabins. In this guide, we explain in detail what a guillotine fireplace is, how it works, what models are available, how to choose the right size, and what determines the prices of guillotine fireplaces.
What is a Guillotine Fireplace?
A guillotine fireplace consists of a steel firebox, heat-resistant ceramic glass, and a counterweight (guillotine) mechanism that carries this glass. The glass door slides upward like a window; you simply lift the door whenever you want to add wood or watch the fire as you would with an open fireplace. When the door is lowered, the fireplace operates as a closed system, delivering most of the heat into the room.
While a significant portion of heat escapes through the chimney in classic brick fireplaces, efficiency is much higher in fireplace inserts with glass guillotine doors. The efficiency rating for the guillotine fireplace inserts on our site is approximately 85%.
Advantages of a Guillotine Fireplace
- High heating efficiency: Thanks to closed combustion, much more heat is obtained with the same amount of wood, reducing wood consumption.
- Ease of use: The glass door lifts with a light movement; you can enjoy the fire like an open fireplace when the door is up.
- Safety: Sparks and embers cannot escape when the door is closed; it is safer for homes with children and pets.
- Clean and panoramic flame view: Wide ceramic glass provides a clear view of the flames from every angle; there are options for single, two, or three-sided glass.
- Design flexibility: The firebox is recessed into the wall and can be finished with marble, stone, drywall, or wood as desired.
- Chimney damper and air control: The intensity of the fire is controlled by adjusting the combustion air and chimney draft.
Guillotine Fireplace Models
Guillotine fireplace models are categorized based on how many sides of the glass are open and the shape of the firebox. The architecture of your space, the wall where the fireplace will be placed, and the flame view you desire determine the model selection.
Straight-Front (Single-Glass) Guillotine Fireplace
Displays the flame only from the front. It is the simplest and most preferred model for wall-recessed applications; it complements living rooms designed with TV units perfectly. Explore our straight-front single-glass guillotine fireplace models.
L-Model (Right or Left Glass) Guillotine Fireplace
Provides a view of the flames from the side—either right or left—along with the front glass. It makes the fireplace visible from two directions, ideal for walls near corners and large living rooms.
Right-open L-model and left-open L-model guillotine fireplaces
U-Model (Three-Sided Glass) Guillotine Fireplace
Features glass on the front and two sides; the fireplace is positioned within an island or a protruding wall, allowing the flames to be viewed from three sides. It creates a strong focal point in open-plan living room-kitchen layouts. Explore our U-model three-sided glass guillotine fireplaces.
Double-Sided Tunnel Guillotine Fireplace
The tunnel fireplace, which has glass on the front and back, is placed in a wall separating two spaces; the living room and dining area, or the living room and home office, share the same fire. You can see all measurements on our double-sided tunnel guillotine fireplaces and tunnel U-model guillotine fireplaces pages.
Prism and Equilateral Corner Guillotine Fireplace
In the prism model, the glass forms an angular, multi-faceted shape; the fireplace is visible from every point in the room, even in a corner position. Equilateral corner models are designed specifically to be placed directly into a corner of the room, saving space. Prism guillotine fireplaces · Equilateral corner guillotine fireplaces
High-Glass Vertical and Premium Guillotine Fireplaces
Vertical (cube) firebox models offer a taller flame view thanks to their high glass surface; they provide an impressive look in high-ceilinged living rooms and villas. Epi (U-type) and premium series cater to more exclusive projects with different frame and glass designs. High-glass vertical guillotine fireplaces · Premium guillotine fireplaces · Epi model fireplaces
How to Choose the Size of a Guillotine Fireplace?
The right size is determined by the size of the area to be heated, the ceiling height, the home's insulation, and the width of the wall where the fireplace will be installed. Our guillotine fireplace inserts are available on our site in increments of 10 cm, ranging from 70 cm to 200 cm. The table below is an approximate guide prepared based on the technical values on our product pages:
| Firebox Width | Heating Capacity | Suitable Space |
|---|---|---|
| 70 – 80 cm | 9 – 12 kW | Small living room, lounge, summer house |
| 90 – 100 cm | 14 – 19 kW | Medium-sized living rooms and lounges |
| 110 – 130 cm | 19 – 27 kW | Large living rooms, duplexes, and villas |
| 140 – 160 cm | 27 – 35 kW | Large and high-ceilinged living areas |
| 170 – 200 cm | 35 – 47 kW | Very large halls, villas, and commercial spaces |
Heating capacity can vary depending on the model (straight, L, U, tunnel) even at the same width. You can find the heating area, heating volume, chimney diameter, and maximum wood length information for each product in the technical table on the product page.
Considerations for Guillotine Fireplace Installation
- Chimney: A chimney connection with a diameter suitable for the firebox size (195 or 245 mm for our guillotine models), sufficient height, and an airtight seal is essential.
- Insulation: Fireproof insulation boards must be used around the firebox; an air gap must be left between the finishing material and the firebox.
- Fresh air intake: Sufficient air intake must be provided to the environment for healthy combustion.
- Hot air vents: Grilles (vents) should be left to distribute the hot air trapped in the hood into the room.
- Maintenance access: The guillotine mechanism and chimney damper must be accessible for service.
You can find the chimney pipes, insulation, and connection parts you will need during the installation process on our fireplace installation materials page. If you are curious about all the stages of fireplace construction, you can take a look at our Fireplace Construction guide.
What Factors Affect Guillotine Fireplace Prices?
Guillotine fireplace prices cannot be expressed with a single figure; the main factors determining the price are:
- Firebox width: The difference in material and labor between a 70 cm firebox and a 200 cm firebox is significant.
- Number of glass panels and model: While straight-front models are the most economical, prices increase as the glass surface and craftsmanship increase in L, U, tunnel, and prism models.
- Series and design: High-glass vertical, Epi, and premium series have different frames and details.
- Installation and cladding: Costs for chimney work, insulation, marble, or stone cladding are added to the total cost.
You can compare current prices for all models size by size on our guillotine fireplace inserts page. For prices of other fireplace types, you can also check our middle fireplace models and prices guide or our cast iron fireplaces category.
Guillotine Fireplace or Cast Iron Fireplace?
The guillotine fireplace offers a more modern look and the pleasure of an open fireplace with its large glass surface and upward-sliding door; it is usually installed by being recessed into a wall. Cast iron fireplaces are fireboxes in more compact sizes that store heat for a long time thanks to their cast bodies. If you want large, modern living rooms and a large glass view, the guillotine fireplace is a good choice; if you want a smaller firebox and heat that is preserved for a long time, the cast iron fireplace is a good choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area does a guillotine fireplace heat?
It varies according to the firebox size. For example, our 100 cm straight-front guillotine fireplace insert has a heating capacity of 17 kW. Smaller sizes (70–80 cm) are suitable for lounges, while sizes of 120 cm and above are suitable for large living rooms and villas.
Can a guillotine fireplace be used with the glass open?
Yes. It can be used like an open fireplace when the glass door is lifted; however, for maximum efficiency and safety, it is recommended to keep the door closed after the fire is burning.
What kind of cladding is used for a guillotine fireplace?
Marble, natural stone, cultured stone, drywall, ceramic, and wood cladding can be applied. The important thing is to leave fireproof insulation and an air gap around the firebox.
Is there a warranty for the guillotine fireplace?
Yes. As stated on our product pages, our guillotine fireplace inserts come with a 2-year warranty and are manufactured in Turkey.
Do you ship throughout Turkey?
Yes, we ship our fireplaces to every point in Turkey with secure packaging. You can also examine the models in person at our showroom in Sapanca.
Let's Choose the Right Guillotine Fireplace for You Together
Send us the measurements and photos of your space; let's determine the most suitable guillotine fireplace model and size together. Message us on WhatsApp or contact us via our contact page.