Recessed

These fireplaces have a shallow depth because they are meant for installation in an already built wall. They are called 2×4 installs because you can recess them into a 2×4 wall without having to build out on the other side of the wall to accommodate the depth of the fireplace.

The majority of these models are under four inches in depth. Some are slightly deeper, but they stick out from the wall on the front side.

Recessed units can come with a plug, but they are typically designed for hard wiring them into your home’s existing electrical.

Three Sided

A three-sided electric fireplace can work with your architecture if you have unique architecture. It makes a bold statement as you can view the flames from three sides. If needed, you could make it two-sided by only exposing two of the three sides.

You could recess it into the wall with only one side exposed for a more realistic flame display than what you can get with other recessed fireplaces.

Electric fireplaces with three sides are perfect when you have a more open floorplan or two rooms that connect with a wall between them. The fireplace is then viewable from both sides so that you can have warmth and ambiance in both rooms.

Two-Sided

Instead of three sides, there are electric fireplaces with two sides. These get mounted in the wall in the same fashion as a recessed fireplace, but it is flush-mounted on both sides. This is ideal when you have two rooms that share a wall but are closed off from each other with a wall.

For the most functionality, look for one that has a privacy screen. That way, you can prevent people in one from looking into the other.

Inserts

If you have an existing wood or gas-burning fireplace in your home, you can easily convert it into an electric one with an insert. These units are shaped to snugly fit into the firebox of a traditional fireplace.