Winter may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for next year. In fact, spring and summer are the perfect time to think about installing or updating your fireplace! Since it is warm and typically not very rainy outside, projects that open the ceiling are easier to accomplish.

While the timing is right to be planning out your fireplace design, you might be wondering where to start. Let’s begin by discussing what is available.

Types of Fireplaces

Wood, gas, and ethanol are the most common fuel types for fireplaces, and it is important to understand which type is best for your needs. 

The most traditional option is a wood-burning fireplace. These require a bit of upkeep – like continual ash cleanup and seasonal flue cleaning. If you’ve decided on a wood-burning fireplace, a fireplace insert is a popular choice. It can contain ashes for easier cleanup and seal off your home from the air that sweeps down the chimney. You may prefer the scent of burning wood, but the burden of cutting and carrying in wood is something to consider.

Gas logs are popular among consumers who wish to have the appearance and warmth of burning wood without the mess of ashes and the burden of supplying fuel. However, your gas and electric bill tend to suffer for it.

A fireplace that burns ethanol has little mess or maintenance but produces far less heat than the traditional wood flame. Ethanol also does not release greenhouse gases when burned, which helps the environment. However, it can cost upwards of $2,000 to install. It is also important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision on ethanol.

What about value? Wood-burning fireplaces are ideal for those who live near a steady wood supply, such as in rural areas. If you do not live in that area you will probably have to pay for your fuel, which can sometimes get pricey. However, if your fireplace is more for aesthetics you may not need fuel very often and will pay less in the long-term to maintain it.

Gas logs are useful for those who do not live near a steady source of firewood or for those too busy to maintain a fireplace. They provide steady heat and are simple to operate. You simply turn a knob or flip a switch. If you want to use gas logs to heat your entire home, you are potentially looking at steep gas and electric bills. It is smart to calculate your energy usage to determine if gas logs are the best value for your home.

Finally, ethanol fireplaces are great for those who wish to help the environment and cut down on fireplace maintenance. It is a biofuel, which derives its energy from plants and burns without releasing greenhouse gases. The downside is low heat production and high installation cost. If you are interested in aesthetics instead of heating your home, ethanol may be the best value for you.

Want to remodel your current fireplace?

If you already have a fireplace, you may not be in the market for a brand new one. Most fireplaces that are built into a home are wood burning and many of them are made from brick and stone. If you have a brick fireplace, it may be coated in paint thanks to a previous owner. This technique is not always to a homeowners taste, so it is nice to know you can strip painted brick fireplaces yourself. Ehow.com offers a clear guide to stripping paint from brick. When it comes to old natural stone fireplaces aging mortar can be a problem. You can re-mortar old stone fireplaces on your own. This article shows you step-by-step how to find and eliminate cracked, dried, and crumbling mortar and replace it with a new mix.

An easy way to update the look of your fireplace that has popped up recently is painting your existing fireplace. Whether it is brick, tile, or stone, there are many articles out there that will guide you step-by-step. This seems to be the easiest way to really transform a space!

Form Over Function?

Fireplaces can be used as decoration, or they can remain functional. Whichever use you have for a fireplace, count up the cost of using it before you get to work. Do your research and reach out to a professional when you are ready.

Are you considering adding a fireplace? Or do you want to revitalize the fireplace already in your home? Either way, we want to hear about it. Leave a comment below!

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