Definition, benefits, and selection: everything you need to know about the wood-burning insert.

By adding a wood insert to your fireplace, you’re choosing performance, style, and sustainability.

Details, key benefits, and expert advice — the Seguin Group professionals share everything you need to know about this increasingly popular appliance in French homes.

You’ve heard about them, seen them, and thought they looked great. But what exactly is a wood insert? How does it work? Can it be installed anywhere? And most importantly: how do you choose the right one? The experts in the SEGUIN network are here to answer all your questions.

What Is a Wood Insert, Exactly?

A wood insert is the perfect combination of tradition and modern technology. It blends the elegance of a classic fireplace with the efficiency of a modern heating appliance.

In practical terms, it’s a closed wood-burning firebox that is built into an existing open fireplace. This transforms a low-efficiency open hearth into a high-performance heating system. An insert can also be installed with custom framing to blend perfectly into your interior design.

Unlike a traditional open fireplace, a wood insert features a glass door and a sealed combustion chamber. The result? Heat is retained more effectively, distributed more evenly, and overall performance is significantly improved. Take the INSERT 650 by SEGUIN, for example: a sleek, stylish unit that’s easy to install and highly efficient. Perfect? It certainly seems so!

Why Choose a Wood Insert?

Performance, style, safety — a wood insert has it all.

First, it delivers outstanding energy efficiency: up to 75%, compared to just 10–15% for an open fireplace. That means significantly reduced wood consumption while maintaining a consistent and comfortable heat output — leading to real savings on your energy bills.

It’s also a stylish addition to your decor. Thanks to the large glass panel, you can enjoy the beauty of the flames while creating a cozy atmosphere. Some models, such as the OGAR insert from Seguin, offer a vertical opening for an even more dramatic flame display. The insert becomes a true design statement in your home.

It’s also an eco-friendly choice. Thanks to optimized combustion, inserts emit very few fine particles and pollutants. Most modern models meet the EcoDesign 2022 European standard, ensuring high efficiency, low emissions, and long-lasting, sustainable design. Wood burning becomes a responsible pleasure.

How to Choose the Right Wood Insert?

Convinced? Now it’s time to pick the right model.

Here are the Seguin experts’ tips for making the right choice:

1. Define the space you want to heat. This helps you choose an insert with the right power output. A unit that’s too small won’t heat effectively; one that’s too powerful may overheat the room, waste wood, and reduce overall efficiency — which defeats the purpose.
2. Measure your existing fireplace (height, width, depth) if you’re retrofitting. A perfect fit is key to both performance and visual appeal.
3. Choose your style. Discreet, modern, industrial, classic — inserts come in all kinds of looks. Some, like the double-sided INSERT 1000, allow you to enjoy the fire from two rooms at once, making it a fantastic feature for dividing a living and dining area, for example.
4. Look for labels and certifications.
   • A Flamme Verte label guarantees a clean, efficient wood heater. To qualify, the unit must meet strict requirements:
     • over 70% efficiency
     • low emissions of fine particles, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons
     • full compliance with European environmental standards
   • Bonus: Flamme Verte-certified inserts may qualify for financial incentives, like the Éco-PTZ or reduced 5.5% VAT.
   • The EcoDesign 2022 certification is now mandatory for all new appliances. It sets a minimum efficiency of 75% and enforces strict pollution and sustainability standards.

Final Advice: Trust a Certified Installer

One last but essential tip: for safe installation that complies with all regulations, work with an RGE-certified professional (Recognized Guarantor of the Environment). This ensures your insert is properly installed, performs as expected, and qualifies for available financial assistance.

The SEGUIN network experts are here to guide you through your fireplace renovation and help you bring your wood insert project to life.