Masonry fireplaces are structures that are created with the use of materials such as brick, cement blocks, or natural stones. The construction of a masonry fireplace will include the use of some sort of binding agent that helps to hold the individual components of the fireplace together. Common in the creation of fireplaces throughout the world, the masonry fireplace continues to be included in the construction of new homes.

Just about all forms of the traditional fireplace can be properly identified as a masonry fireplace. Depending on the design, the masonry material may include one or more types of materials. A masonry fireplace may be constructed mainly of bricks that have been cured and fired, but treated to a façade of stones that are fixed in place with the aid of cement or other binders. The stones may be smooth and uniform or be an eclectic mixture of shapes and sizes.

In general, a masonry fireplace is created for the purpose of acting as a heat-generating source within the home. As such, the chimney section of the fireplace will be outfitted with a flu and other mechanisms that allow the homeowner to close the fireplace when the device is not in use, or open the flu when the fireplace is in use. While the masonry fireplace is normally intended to function as a wood-burning fireplace, many people have opted to install gas jets into traditional fireplaces and make use of gas heaters or logs.

While many homes today are not built with a masonry fireplace, it is a relatively easy task to add this feature at a later date. In addition, it is possible to purchase modular masonry fireplace systems that can easily be installed in the home, or even added to an outdoor patio as a source of heat on a chilly evening. The modular fireplace units usually require little to no assembly and are less expensive than installing a permanent masonry fireplace.