Temp-Cast fireplaces closely follow original Scandinavian designs, which were later refined and used extensively in Finland. Masonry stoves are still in widespread use throughout northern Europe and are highly regarded for their excellent heating abilities, safety features and environmentally positive aspects. Notably, the Finnish government encourages the use of masonry heaters through tax incentives, to reduce the use of natural gas, oil and electricity. The result is that 90% of the new homes built each year in Finland are heated with a masonry stove.

An equally long tradition of masonry heating has evolved in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, with the "Kachelofen" or tile stove as the predominant style. These heaters are so highly prized that German stove masons custom build thousands of masonry heaters each year, even though customers must often wait a year or more.

Masonry heaters work by radiating the energy stored in their masonry mass. Heaters like the Temp-Cast 2000 are simply heat storage banks. A short, hot fire heats the masonry mass, which stores and radiates it back to the space slowly and evenly for many hours. This creates a very gentle heater, with almost imperceptible warmth.

From the first time the fireplace is fired, the heating cycle is very even, only slightly cooler in the morning than in the previous evening. This is quite unlike traditional wood heating systems, which create a very hot space around them, cool considerable during the night and then super- heat the area when re-loaded int the morning. In addition, radiant masonry heating produces an "all over" warmth, as the solid objects in the area are warmed and then re-radiate the warmth to you. Masonry heaters can serve as the primary heater in a modern home of 1500 to 2000 sq.ft, particularly when located in the middle of an open plan living space.

The final appearance of the heater is limited only by your imagination. Suitable facades include solid or filled bricks, natural stone, fieldstone, soapstone, rocks and concrete blocks covered with tile, marble or stucco. Brickwork can extend into wood storage boxes, shelving, benches and nooks, mantels and cathedral arches.