Is this a wood-burning fireplace, or a decorative one?

[thegarv]

Greetings,

I toured a home today with a fireplace and am wondering if anyone can help me take a guess if it is word-burning or just decorative. I was told by the agent that the owners think that it is "probably" just decorative. However, there is a chimney above the roof, and if you look up into the fireplace, you can see a metal pipe in the center, running vertically. There is no damper. Sorry, I wish I had a photo, but it didn't occur to me to take one at the time.

If this were just decorative, why would there be a chimney and a metal pipe? Are my odds good that I could hire someone to make it work as wood-burning regardless (e.g., by adding a damper)? The fireplace is a very important feature for me, but I don't want to hire an inspector quite yet considering I haven't even offered on the place.

Thanks

-thegarv

 

[begreen]

The lack of a damper is odd but it sounds like a zero clearance fireplace. Are there gas logs in it?

If possible check the door frame for a mfg. tag that says the maker and the model number.

 

[thegarv]

Thanks for the reply. No gas logs, but no door frame either. Don't think this is going to help, but here are two images I found: one of the exterior that shows the chimney, and one of the fireplace itself.

 

[begreen]

If this is Miami maybe it is cosmetic, but that sounds unlikely.

 

[Sprinter]

I won't comment on the fireplace, but it sure is a beautiful place...

 

[webby3650]

I sure don't see see any caps on that chase top. I'm really thinking that's a vent free box, that was used for looks. Get a better pic of the top and the fireplace itself and we can say for sure.

 

[thegarv]

I'm going back this Saturday and will definitely take photos and report back. Thanks again.