Chicago: 773-862-8200
Milwaukee: 414-281-4203
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About American Heritage Fireplace

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American Heritage Fireplace was founded in Milwaukee in October 1992 by John Dunlevy and Jim Sako. Driven by a commitment to comprehensive service, they expanded their operations to Chicago in 1994, and both founders remain actively involved in the company’s day-to-day operations.

From initial project design to expert fireplace installation and final interior and exterior finishes, American Heritage Fireplace (AHF) provides end-to-end solutions for all your fireplace needs. Our dedicated service department ensures the long-term cleanliness and optimal performance of your unit.

Our Chicago location boasts a state-of-the-art 21,000 square foot facility, encompassing a showroom, offices, and warehouse space. In Milwaukee, our 6,500 square foot location offers a comprehensive experience with a showroom, offices, outdoor display area, and warehouse.

Our residential division proudly serves a wide range of clients, from homeowners in your neighborhood to those residing in the most prestigious residences across the Midwest. We have had the privilege of contributing to significant projects, including the historical restoration of a fireplace in an early Frank Lloyd Wright home and the supply and installation of hearth products in Chicago’s current most expensive home.

On the commercial front, American Heritage Fireplace has been entrusted with high-profile real estate developments such as the Tribune Tower Condo conversion, Trump Tower, and the Waldorf Astoria. Our expertise extends to renowned educational institutions, including Northwestern University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Chicago, and the University of Notre Dame.

Our strength lies in our experienced team of over 30 dedicated employees, many of whom have been with us for over 20 years. This longevity translates to a wealth of knowledge, with a combined experience of over 400 years in the hearth industry.

At American Heritage Fireplace, we are committed to excellence. We maintain our market leadership through continuous technical training and by staying at the forefront of the industry’s most exciting and innovative products.

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Don’t Just Take Our Word For it

Why American Heritage Fireplace

American Heritage Fireplace
4.5
Based on 165 reviews
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Mike Santore
21:20 09 Apr 25
Great assistance in figuring out what will work in an existing 140 year old home, to avoid heat from adversely affecting the wooden mantle. It is important to get the expertise to avoid a flammable situation in older homes that are trying to preserve the antique feel and architectural pieces within the home. Glad to learn from Todd Verploegh and utilize his direction.
Katybeth Jensen
01:33 09 Apr 25
We had the pleasure of working with Henri Youlden, our hearth specialist at American Heritage Fireplace, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. Henri helped us bring our dream fireplace to life—one that truly exceeded our expectations.

From start to finish, Henri was knowledgeable, attentive, and incredibly patient. He guided us through every step of the process—from plaster to mortar—making sure the final result was exactly what we had envisioned (and even better). He was never rushed or rigid when we wanted to explore other options or make adjustments. Instead, he welcomed our ideas and offered thoughtful guidance to ensure we felt confident and excited about every decision.

The result? A stunning custom fireplace that has become the heart of our home.

We would absolutely recommend American Heritage Fireplace, and especially Henri Youlden, to anyone looking for exceptional craftsmanship, personalized service, and a true partner in the design process. Thank you, Henri, for making our fireplace dreams a reality!
Adam Levinson
16:12 04 Mar 25
Not only did AHF spec and install an amazing fireplace for my new home, but they have provided awesome customer service and preventive maintenance for years. All staff is great to work with from showroom, booking service to the team that shows up to work on site, they have been a pleasure to deal with through and through!
Lisa Hill
20:02 03 Mar 25
When I called in our sales person was very helpful with options right away. I had a quote that day and the installation was scheduled for the following week. Outstanding service and quality.
As a side note, I had been dealing with a different company that was not as responsive as American Heritage. I'm very happy to have made the switch.
John Patrick
21:00 31 Jan 25
It was very easy to work with Brian, he gave us some excellent design ideas and made our project go very well. The fireplace is awesome. We have gotten many compliments on it and the installation. Mike was our installer and he worked with us making the installation seamless. High quality workmanship. Before and after photos.
Carlo Tamayo
12:42 28 Jan 25
100% hire this company for any fireplace work. We recently ordered and installed an electric fireplace for our living room. My amazing wife designed a custom size. Richard our rep was great. The builder, Ken, comes out and TOTALLY nails it.

This guy was amazing not only in his craftsmanship but also his thoughtfulness in customer service. This has got to be one of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever received. He went above and beyond expectation….So my wife and I recently had a mold issue due to a water leak in our bathroom so she’s been extra vigilant in looking out for mold. Some of the 2x4’s on the frame had these gray streaks on it and she was concerned - turns out it’s nothing to worry about as it’s just a natural effect of the wood (blue beetle pine). But Ken! He rebuilds the frame with unmarked wood anyway just so my wife would have not a single doubt. Incredible. He also cut out some of the baseboard he removed to give us a design idea we hadn’t thought of which was to put it around the base of the fireplace. We initially were neutral to the idea but he cut them anyway and placed it so we could see what it looks like and we love it! We never would’ve done it this way if he hadn’t suggested it. I’m including some pics - we still have to finish painting it and stuff but you can get an idea.

This company is professional, experienced, and thoughtful
Arielle Zakos
19:37 17 Jan 25
Are you looking for a honest review? Listen up! As a builder it is so important to understand what fireplace system is going into a new build - I’ve never had more faith in a company or my rep, Todd. I’ve worked with Todd on some pretty incredible new homes, as well as refreshing existing fireplaces in clients homes. I never think twice about the insert or media I’m specifying, because Todd is looking out for my clients safety first. Safety is Todds number one focus, and then aesthetics. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve connected him directly with clients - he is so great one on one and helps everyone understand what they are saying yes to. If you are in need of a new fire feature, or are wanting new logs for your existing fireplaces, American Heritage are the ones to call, and make sure you ask for my friend, Todd. He will make sure you are happy and that you get the fireplace you’ve always wanted.
Kate Welborn
17:10 17 Jan 25
We renovated our home and added a chimney with a gas insert so we could burn ceramic or wood logs. The team at American Heritage Fireplace did a fantastic job guiding us. We love to build wood fires and their chimney sweep team does a fantastic job cleaning. If you have questions or need guidance, I recommend that you reach out to Todd Verploegh. He is knowledgeable, responsive, and willing to answer all crazy questions.
American Heritage Fireplace
4.2
Based on 59 reviews
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Anthony Giangreco
19:40 24 Mar 25
I have been working with American Heritage Fireplace for many years not only for my personal property, but referring many friends, family and clients.

They provide great service at a very competitive price. Highly recommend contacting them for service, repairs or full replacement.
Linda Cieslik
16:45 03 Mar 25
Great work. Efficient and tidy. Replaced older insert in fireplace. Excellent product. I have a cast iron stove by same mfg. (Lopi) Upstairs in bed/sit. I now can use lower fireplace without bending to light pilot. So happy with both American Heritage and Lopi products.
Vivian Yates
12:25 15 Feb 25
My husband and I have wanted a gas fireplace for a long time and American Heritage made the entire process so easy! Lots of selection and very quick service. We love our new fireplace.
Peggy Nash
15:04 21 Jan 25
As the holidays approached, we knew we wanted to make our living room extra cozy—but we didn’t expect to find such a perfect addition to our home. After some research, we ordered an electric fireplace from American Heritage Fireplace in early December. We hoped it might arrive before Christmas, though we knew that was a bit of a long shot.

What we didn’t expect was a phone call from Rachel at Heritage, just days later, telling us she had a cancellation—and the exact model we ordered had arrived that very day! Thanks to the timely call, they scheduled our installation for December 18th, just in time for the holidays.

The installation itself was smooth, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with how the fireplace turned out. Not only does it add a warm, welcoming glow to our room, but the various color options make it easy to set the mood for any occasion. Whether we’re enjoying a cozy winter evening or entertaining guests, the fireplace provides both warmth and a touch of elegance.

What really stood out to us, though, was the exceptional customer service. Rachel went above and beyond to ensure we got our fireplace installed right before Christmas, and her attention to detail made the whole experience stress-free. It was such a pleasant surprise to receive that call—and to have everything come together so perfectly!

If you're considering an electric fireplace for your own home, I highly recommend checking out American Heritage Fireplace. The combination of quality, style, and service has made a real difference in our home, and we couldn’t be happier with our decision.
John Burfeind
22:06 20 Jan 25
I highly recommend American Heritage Fireplace as my experience with them was smooth. I stopped by the store just to see their inventory. Rachel showed me the gas fireplace inserts that would best suit my needs. Brian Gerard conveniently came to my house the next day to take measurements and explain options for the insert. When the customized insert arrived Ryan and George installed the insert on a rainy day. They laid canvas tarps on the white carpet and prevented any accidents. They were highly professional. They earned their money that rainy day, when installing the vents into the two-story chimney. Ryan trained me on the functions of the remote control and answered my questions. The outside temperature is below zero today and I am so pleased to have a warm fireplace.

John Burfeind
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