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Choose and Install the Best Fireplace for Your Home

Article Summary: Whether you are building a new house or repairing your old one, chances are the fireplace is one of the first things you think of. Fireplaces are important to the function and design of any room. When properly designed and installed, 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 select the wrong fireplace, you also end up with a room that’s imbalanced, ill-proportioned, or lacking in character.

Whether you are building a new house or repairing your old one, chances are the fireplace is one of the first things you think of. Fireplaces are important to the function and design of any room. When properly designed and installed, 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 select the wrong fireplace, you also end up with a room that’s imbalanced, ill-proportioned, or lacking in character.

Fireplaces are now available in different styles and designs, so there’s sure to be one that will work for you. Here are a couple of simple tips to help you select the right fireplace for your home.

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

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

Class 1 Flue: Typically found in older houses, this type is identified by a stone or brick chimney stack with a measurement of seven inches across or more. This type of chimney works with all heat sources.

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

Pre-cast Flue: Nearly all new homes are built with a pre-cast flue, characterized 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 type of fireplace or one with either a balanced flue or powerflue 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 reduce artistic appeal and warmth.

Balance your fireplace. Your fireplace should be proportional in size to your room. 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 make sure there’s adequate floor space in front of the fire to help the heat spread.

Fix a budget. Price will always be a major consideration when it comes to fireplaces. They normally cost anywhere from a couple of hundred to several thousand dollars. Before selecting a type and finish, search for the available prices online and determine what you can work with.

Choose the perfect material. Your choice of material will affect both the function and the appearance of your fireplace. Stone and brick are normally referred to as the best fireplace materials due to the fact that they heat extremely well, unlike wood and metal which have to be well-insulated. Try matching your home’s architectural style: a steel grate will go well with a classic, sophisticated appearance, while a brick or wood finish will suit a rustic country theme.

Consider ongoing costs. When you buy a fireplace, you don’t pay just for the unit alone. Fuel and power costs have to be taken into account, as well as the price of cleaning and maintenance. Look for one that’s guaranteed energy-efficient by regulating bodies—you’ll probably see the energy stamp on the package.
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Article Source: http://www.upublish.info

About the Author:
Steve Harmon
Steve Harmon is a general builder with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry and the author of numerous building and construction articles on redeco.org. Steve has been building things since he was a kid, and his mastery in everything from building materials to proper H/VAC design, coupled with his clear and concise writing style, has made him one of the most well-known contributors on redeco.org.