Not all houses, including those in winter-affected areas, are equipped with fireplace. We may have a specific location in mind, but there are things to consider before we add a fireplace inside our house. We should know whether the fireplace will be used for entertainment or functional purpose. In many houses, existing heating equipments are already adequate and fireplace will be only a decorative element of our house.
1. Fuel:
Traditional fireplace use firewood and this requires an unobstructed chimney with simple vertical shape. The fireplace should be conveniently located near to the doorway so we can bring in the firewood and take our ashes. Some properly designed fireplace can provide higher energy output. However, improperly designed chimney may allow much of the heat escape and make the room cooler than without the fireplace.
For this reason, we should be aware that decorative fireplace could potentially make the room cooler and add to the environmental pollution, if nearby houses don’t have fireplace. Fireplaces with gas are more convenient, because we could turn on the flame by turning the knob. It is also possible to adjust the intensity of the flame. Higher-end models can heat up the interior of our house like a furnace.
Many decorative models are less effective and we still need other heating equipments inside the room. Gas fireplaces should be installed by professionals to prevent gas leaks and other unfortunate things. Electric fireplace is probably the least visually appealing type, but it can be the most practical. We no longer need to use additional fuels, like firewood and gas. We only need to push the button to turn on the fireplace.
2. Location:
Choosing the ideal location of fireplace can be rather tricky. An ideal location based on visual factors may not be adequate, because the heating efficiency may not be high. We should choose an ideal location and try to be flexible during the actual planning stage. Fireplaces can be placed in the corner to provide an ideal balance. We should be aware that the furniture arrangement can change when we add the fireplace inside the house.
3. Design:
Fireplace can be designed only like a generic box that keeps the fire contained. Decorative accents should be placed relatively low in our priority lists. Wood burning fireplaces may required a 18-inch hearth or bigger. On the other hand, electric and gas fireplaces may not require hearth. We should incorporate correct elements into our design to achieve a more authentic appeal and look for our room.
4. Sensible plan:
Before adding fireplace inside our home, we should be sure whether it has the features that we want. The fireplace should also have the venting features that can divert smoke effectively. There should also be enough space for the hearth and framing. The fireplace and associated materials can be purchased from trusted suppliers and retailers. The fireplace set should include materials and accessories for mantel, venting and others.
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