The annual expo for the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association took place at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on March 11-13. The HPBA is an international trade association dedicated to supporting manufacturers and retailers of fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor cooking products.

As a company passionate about staying up to date on the best in the hearth industry, Fireplaces Direct sent our team of experts to the 2023 HPBExpo to see what's hot in the world of fireplaces. And because we want our customers to be in the know about what they can expect from our inventory, we've compiled a guide to what you can be excited about from the brands we work with.

Fireplace Trends from the HPBExpo

Electric Fireplaces are Getting More Realistic

The type of high-quality electric fireplaces that we offer here at Fireplaces Direct will always be on the cutting edge of realism. We choose to work with brands that are committed to innovation, which means that envelope is constantly being pushed. We had the chance to see some new models of electric fireplace at the Expo that truly capture the essence of a real burning flame with their quality displays and ambient lighting. If you're looking to add an electric fireplace to your home but don't want to miss out on the atmosphere of a traditional hearth, you'll definitely want to check out our guide to realistic electric fireplaces.

Home Automation Remotes are the Future

One of the most common questions we get from customers is about how they can integrate their fireplace into their home automation systems. While we carry a huge variety of fireplace remote controls, ranging from simple millivolt models to Bluetooth-capable designs, home automation systems present some unique challenges. Our suppliers are up to the task though. We saw a number of new fireplace remotes that integrate seamlessly with a variety of home automation systems. Keep an eye on our inventory for their release.