Whether it’s for our house or our business, most of us appreciate the concept of having a fireplace indoors. The appropriate fireplace can make your living room feel instantly cozier. In the winter, it might serve as a source of additional heat. With the warm, flickering light of the flames and the subtle crackle of wood in the background, it can even provide atmosphere.
The difficulty is that it appears that purchasing a fireplace is a time-consuming and frustrating process. If your home doesn’t already have a chimney and fireplace, it may appear that installing one will necessitate extensive improvements. Plus, it’s not clear where to begin when it comes to fireplace purchasing.
But the truth is that purchasing and installing a fireplace is now easier than ever. All you need to know is what you’re up against.
Electric Fireplaces: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Options for Fuel Types and Installation
To begin, you should be aware that there are numerous types of fireplaces available. When someone said “fireplace” a few decades ago, you understood exactly what they were talking about because there was only one type.
Nowadays, you may choose from a wide range of fireplaces that burn a number of fuels, including:
- Wood in the traditional sense.
The conventional wood-burning fireplace is still the most popular type of fireplace. Because it’s nearly hard to properly reproduce the scent and crackling of burning wood, it’s still in high demand. However, you may need to follow local restrictions in order to properly build this type of fireplace, and it can be costly to maintain.
- Electric.
The electric fireplace, which uses electricity to create heat and flames, is one of the most popular options in today’s world. It’s cleaner, hotter, and more compliant with local laws — However, as you can expect, it differs in terms of aesthetics. If you’re thinking about purchasing one, this guide to electric fireplaces instruction will teach you how to use one effectively.
- Propane or natural gas.
Installing a natural gas or propane fireplace is another option. You could connect a natural gas line and burn flames that way, or you could connect a separate propane tank and have frequent replacements, depending on what’s accessible to you. Both are low-cost and environmentally friendly.
- Fireplaces that are just decorative.
You could, of course, buy a fireplace that only simulates the flickering lights of flames (and potentially radiates heat) rather than really burning anything.
As a result, you may not require a chimney in order to have a fireplace in your home. Sometimes all that’s needed is a simple exhaust system. You don’t even need that if you’re trying for anything just decorative.
Aesthetics and Styles
Aside from fuel, you’ll have a vast choice of styles and aesthetics to choose from. You might be able to find something simple and minimalistic that would be ideal for your modern home. You might also choose something with decorative brick or stone to imitate a historical style. It’s entirely up to you – and as a result, you’ll have complete control over the tone of your living space.
A Vast Selection of Purchasing Options
Nowadays, there are a plethora of venues where you can get a fireplace. To get a sense of the alternatives available, you can go to a local home improvement store or a specialty fireplace store, or you can go online and access an even larger selection. You can also simply compare prices to ensure that you’re receiving the greatest bargain.
Home Value and Consumer Demand
It also helps that there is a lot of demand for fireplaces. A fireplace may greatly raise the value of your property, justifying the purchase and allowing you to recoup some of your investment when it comes time to sell.
Hiccups that still need to be worked out
Of course, there are a few snags to buying and installing a fireplace that you should be aware of:
- Local laws must be followed. Certain types of fireplaces may be outlawed depending on where you reside. Before you buy, make sure you know the laws in your area.
- Installation is a challenge. Certain types of fireplaces are difficult (or dangerous) to install on your own, but you can always hire a professional to do it for you.
- Budgeting problems. Because some fireplaces are pricey, you’ll need to plan ahead.
- The choice paradox. While it may appear that having more choices is usually a good thing, in some circumstances, the sheer amount of possibilities available can be overwhelming, making it difficult to make a final decision.
Fireplaces are not a good investment for everyone or every home. However, if you’ve always wanted a roaring fire in your living room or find yourself fantasizing about an extra source of heat during the harsh winter months, now might be the best time to make this investment. Examine your options thoroughly and be ready to go forward once you’ve found the best fit for your requirements.
