A home with a fireplace has a unique charm that provides more ambiance and improves the property’s value. A fireplace enhances the quality of your life by providing more warmth in your house during the cold seasons and enhancing your interiors’ aesthetics. You can enjoy the image and crackling sounds of gently burning fire as you relax on your couch, something that provides more ambiance in your living room.
Do you intend to add a fireplace to your home or update an existing one? Here are a few things to keep in mind before you head to the fireplace store.
Consider your usage and needs.
Not everyone installs a fireplace in their home for more warmth. Some homeowners install beautiful fireplaces to improve the aesthetics of their living room or add a design feature that improves the property’s value. So you need to consider your usage and needs when choosing a fireplace. You will encounter the following options when selecting a fireplace:
- Wood burning fireplace- it is the traditional one that uses wood and may not produce enough warmth to warm a large room. It may not be environmentally friendly as well.
- Pellet burning fireplace- it produces enough heat for bigger rooms compared to a wood-burning fireplace.
- A gas fireplace- it is energy efficient and requires low maintenance.
- Bioethanol fireplace- if gas is an issue, a bioethanol fireplace provides enough heat to warm a small part of your living room.
- Electric fireplace- this is the modern version that uses electricity to warm up your living room and features a sophisticated design.
You must follow safety and building codes.
When installing a fireplace in your home, you must follow safety and building codes in your location. These regulations dictate various fireplace installation aspects like chimney footer projections, length of roof penetration, gas line positioning, emission levels, and so forth. Depending on your location’s building codes, you can determine the costs and complexity of installing a fireplace. You should first research the kind of fireplaces that align with your home design before you go too far with choices that are not feasible.
You need to consider design and aesthetics.
There are different types of fireplaces you can install in your home, but the design is part and parcel of your decision-making. While installing a fireplace to warm your living room, you need to ensure it is aesthetically appealing while improving your interior design. You can pick from traditional to modern or minimalistic designs with glass.
It is inadvisable to install the fireplace by yourself
If you want a new fireplace in your home, have a professional do it. Remember that fire is involved, so a fireplace can pose a fire risk if not safely installed. For instance, a wood-burning fireplace can cause lung hazards if not well ventilated. So it’s best to have an expert handle it.
Maintenance is a must.
Depending on your type of fireplace, maintenance and upkeep will be necessary to keep it in good condition. You will need to regularly clean the unit and replace parts as they wear out for more safety.
