Choose and Install the Right Fireplace for Your Home

Whether you are building a new house or redesigning your old one, chances are the fireplace is one of the first items you think of. Fireplaces are central to the function and design of any room. Properly designed and set up, a fireplace can add immediate warmth and serve as the room’s focal point, pulling all the other room elements together. Unfortunately, the opposite also applies: if you choose the wrong fireplace, you also end up with a room that’s imbalanced, ill-proportioned, or lacking in character.

Fireplaces now come in different designs and styles, so there’s sure to be one that will catch your eye. Here are a few simple tips to help you choose the perfect fireplace for your home.

Identify your needs. Do you want a strictly decorative fireplace or something that’s both aesthetic and functional? A few marble fireplaces are absolutely decorative, but most are created to contain at least one basic heating element. If you want your fireplace to be functional, you will have to work with available heating systems and your chimney type, which can lessen your options. Stone, brick, and marble finishes normally work for all applications.

Know your chimney type. Several types of chimney work with different heating sources. The basic types of chimney are:

Class 1 Flue: Normally found in older homes, this type is characterized by a stone or brick chimney stack measuring seven inches across or more. This type of chimney works with all heat sources.

Class 2 Flue: Homes built after 1960 will usually have this type. The Class 2 Flue has a slightly smaller steel flue liner in place of the brick structure. It works with electric fires, gas, and LPG, but is not advisable for solid fires like logs or wood.

Pre-cast Flue: Most new homes are built with a pre-cast flue, identified by a tiny rectangular box situated on the roof. As with the Class 2 Flue, it works with all heat sources except solid ones.

If you don’t own a chimney, your choices are an electric fireplace or one with either a powerflue or balanced flue system. Powerflues offer the rustic appearance of a traditional fire, but require an electric source near the fireplace. Balanced flues are situated behind a glass panel, which can decrease artistic appeal and heat.

Balance your fireplace. The size of your fireplace and your room should be proportional to one another. A large fireplace works well in a large room, and a tiny fireplace should be adequate for a smaller room. Also consider your available wall space, and see to it that there’s adequate floor space in front of the fire to help the heat spread.

Fix a budget. Cost will always be a major consideration when it comes to fireplaces. They normally cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Before selecting a type and finish, look at the available prices on the Internet and determine what you can afford.

Select the perfect material. The material you chose have an effect on both the appearance and the function of your fireplace. Stone and brick are typically referred to as the best fireplace materials due to the fact that they heat exceedingly well, unlike wood and metal which have to be well-insulated. Try to match the architectural style of your home: a steel grate will go well with a classic, elegant appearance, while a wood or brick finish will suit a rustic country theme.

Consider ongoing costs. When you buy a fireplace, you don’t pay just for the unit alone. Power and fuel costs have to be considered, as well as the expenses of cleaning and maintenance. Find one that’s confirmed energy-efficient by regulating bodies—you’ll normally find the energy stamp on the package.