Adding a fireplace can help you create a cozy family gathering space. Fireplaces can even be installed even if your home wasn’t originally built with one.
Everyone loves to sit around a fireplace and talk. It brings back fond childhood memories, helps pass time, and gives you a place to entertain guests. But not all homes come with this feature. The good thing is that you can add one to an existing home without it being too expensive. You just need a little creativity and know-how.
Fireplace Options
You can add a fireplace to any home. You need to choose the type that will work best with your home and check your building codes to make sure your home meets the requirements. Certain fireplaces may need to be cleaned more often in order to maximize their efficiency.
Generally speaking, there are three categories of fireplace features: masonry, prefabricated, and gas.
Gas Fireplaces
The easiest to install is the gas fireplace. You can install this type of fireplace on any exterior wall. Its installation allows the back of it to maximize ventilation. It takes about a day to install this beautiful fireplace feature. Although you won’t get the smell of a wood fireplace, it does give a similar ambiance. Better yet, it is easier to turn on and supplies more warmth than a wood fireplace. Gas fireplaces are also easy to maintain and clean.
Masonry Fireplaces
If you insist on having a wood-burning fireplace, you will need to install a chimney through the roof. This option might be a problem in two-story houses, but you could enclose a corner of the room and the upper room to build the chimney. Be aware, it is the most expensive type of fireplace and the hardest to light and maintain. You’ll need to call in a contractor to make a brick or stone fireplace and chimney.
The Prefab Fireplace
If you want something really inexpensive, choose the zero-clearance or prefab fireplace. It is a factory-built fireplace that fits in almost any home and has a modern design. It is easy to install and does not require major construction work. Because it is zero-clearance you can install it in any room, even on hardwood floors.
Where to Install Your Fireplace
Get the most out of your fireplace by placing it in the most-used room of the house, except for the kitchen. You might try it in the living room. However, if you are thinking of using it for heat, consider a smaller room like a master bedroom or office. Wherever you place it, make sure the floor joists are reinforced and that you think about the dimensions of the fireplace.
If building a mortar fireplace, consider the thickness of the firebox walls and chimney and the size of the damper opening. You will also need to use a liner. Be sure to check building codes and specifications for building a fireplace.
There are many fireplace options. You just need to shop around and decide on the fireplace that meets your needs. Consider the time of installation, cost, and location of the fireplace when thinking of the type of product you want. Just remember, if you want a fireplace, you can have one, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.
