Top Tips on Choosing the Right Fireplace for Your Home

A fireplace gives your home a warm and cozy touch. Many home buyers consider fireplaces a desirable addition to a home. However, so many types of options are available at the fireplaces shop, making the choice challenging. Fireplaces are an essential addition to your home. You cannot simply look for fireplaces for sale and randomly purchase one. There are important considerations before finalizing a fireplace for your home.

Here we have discussed top tips about choosing the right fireplace for your home.

Know Your Purpose

Before searching for a fireplace shop, you must know your purpose. Why do you want to buy a fireplace in the first place? Do you just want a fireplace in your living area for decorative and ambiance-creating purposes? Do you have a room that needs to be heated in cold winters? Unless you know your purpose you won’t be able to make the right choice. Knowing the purpose will also help you in narrowing down your options.

Know Your Budget

You need more than just knowing your purpose to visit any fireplace store offline or online. You must set a budget before you start looking for options. As fireplaces are seen as both a necessity and a decoration, their prices can vary hugely. Setting a target budget or budget range is important to purchase fireplaces without putting you in a financial dilemma.

Know Your Space

Don’t rush to look for a fireplace on sale after setting your budget. One more important thing is left for consideration. You must know where you will be placing your fireplace at your home. Will you be setting it in the living area where your family and friends can gather? Would you like a fireplace in your kitchen where you dine together? Will you prefer having it in your bedroom to make the cold mornings cozy? You should also check the available space where you wish to have a fireplace. This is important for choosing between a wall-mounted fireplace and a free-standing one.

Make the Right Choice: Gas, Electric, or Wood

The first choice you will need to make when looking for a fireplace is a gas, electric, or wood-burning fireplace.

Gas fireplaces – A gas fireplace is an excellent option if you need the traditional fireplace look minus the cleaning efforts it needs. These are easy to install and do not require the installation of a chimney or vent. Gas fireplaces are a cost-effective option. But, while choosing a gas fireplace, you will also have to choose between natural gas and liquid propane gas and check their availability in your area.

Electric fireplace– These are the most popular and safest option. They are cost-effective, easy to install, and highly customizable. Electric fireplaces warm up houses with their inbuilt heating coils. Though there’s no need for flame, some electric fireplaces have fake flame options for aesthetic purposes. These are easiest to clean and maintain.

Wood-burning fireplace – Though wood fireplaces require more cleaning and maintenance, they are still the first preference for many. Those who prefer the traditional fireplace look and the ‘good old days’ feel still prefer wood fireplaces. If you are searching for an outdoor fireplace, this can be the best choice to sit around enjoying fire-roasted marshmallows with friends and family.

After all these considerations, you are good to go for picking the best-suited fireplace for your home. You might still have a few questions running through your mind. So, here we are listing some of the most frequently asked questions about choosing a fireplace. We hope you find an answer to all your queries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my gas and wood fireplace during a power outage?

Yes, the gas and wood fireplace continues working during a power outage. It is the electric fireplace that runs on electricity and hence will stop working during a power outage.

Do fireplaces consume lots of energy?

No. Energy efficiency is one of the most essential features of modern fireplaces and appliances. Electric fireplaces are undoubtedly the most energy-efficient option. But, the modern sealed design makes the wood and gas fireplaces much more efficient than the older designs. Traditional wood fireplaces utilized only 15% of energy as opposed to 75% of modern wood-burning fireplaces. Similarly, most gas fireplaces are 80% or more energy efficient.

Does a fireplace increase the value of a property?

Yes. Most home buyers (or renters) prefer a home with a good fireplace. Whether you rent or sell your property, having a fireplace will attract a good return on investment. It must be noted here that electric fireplaces add the most negligible value as they are cheaper and used primarily for aesthetic purposes.

Are fireplaces safe for indoor use?

Fireplaces are safe when installed and used correctly, following all the safety measures. Gas and wood fireplaces get extremely hot, so kids and pets must be kept away from flames using permanent installations like a screen or gate. From a safety point of view, an electric fireplace is the best as, unlike gas and wood fireplaces, it does not create any emissions, and only the heater vent gets hot.

Are fireplace emissions harmful?

Emissions from gas and wood fireplaces are harmful to humans and pets. To keep yourself safe, you must strictly follow the manufacturer's installation instructions and the local building code. Electric fireplaces have no emissions.

How do I clean the front glass panel of my fireplace?

Regular cleaning of a fireplace is essential. The front glass can be easily cleaned using a moist microfiber cloth or a simple solution of water and vinegar to get rid of gentle stains and streaks. However, you should always read the instruction manual for things like this so you don’t damage your product.

Does the cost of the fireplace include everything needed for installation?

No. The cost of a fireplace is the cost of the fireplace only. You must make allowance for fronts, piping, gas, or electric connection and installation. Electric fireplaces may sometimes offer free installation, but gas and wood fireplaces will need a little extra budget and effort.