Although mantlepiece and grate forms have evolved over time, the fundamental structural elements of a fireplace have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Rather than a technical grasp of how a well-designed flue system works, the early combination of a wide stone or brick opening with a chimney built over it emerged from the evident truth that smoke rises. As a result, earlywood and later coal-burning fireplaces were inefficient, 

The fireplace is built around a brick or stone enclosure. The fireplace aperture, also known as the fireplace recess or builders opening, can be flush with the wall or constructed out into the room to form a chimney breast. This chimney breast rises through the house's height, emerging from the roof as a chimney stack. The gather and flue unite at the top of the opening to convey the smoke up the chimney. It's possible that the chimney has multiple flues if it's shared by various fireplaces on different floors.

A lintel or a brick arch supports the masonry above the fireplace opening. Massive oak beams supported old inglenook fireplaces, whereas a sturdy iron strap commonly supports an inglenook fireplace nowadays.

To protect the floor from falling ashes, a hearth made of non-combustible materials such as stone or tile-faced concrete projects out into the room. The fireplace in most antique houses was flush with the floor, though a superimposed one was occasionally employed to raise the level. The back hearth, which is located within the fireplace opening, is normally level with the hearth itself. On this back hearth, a dog grate for burning wood or coal might be placed. The mass-produced cast-iron register grate, which filled the opening, had become fashionable by the mid-nineteenth century.

A mantle or mantel - or fireplace surround, as it is more commonly known - is installed to frame the grate or fireplace opening to complete the assembly. Stone, slate, marble, wood, or cast iron can all be used to make the mantel. Wood paneling or plaster may be used to finish the walls around it, and in some cases, the mantel rises upwards to make an amazing chimneypiece.

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