There are many reasons to upgrade the existing fireplace. Some of these include: increasing the value of a home, improving safety for a family with small children, and providing a cozy atmosphere during cold winter evenings. If you want to start upgrading your fireplace today then this article will give you 11 different ways that can help you make an informed decision about what type of upgrades will work best in your home.
A fire is a great way to get cozy. It provides warmth and light, and it can also be used for cooking. However, if your fireplace isn’t up-to-date, then you could be missing out on all the benefits that come with an upgrade! In this article we will go over 11 reasons why upgrading your existing fireplace is going to make your life better.
The Fireplace is the Focal Point of your Home
The fireplace is the focal point of your home, and it’s important that you use the right materials to upgrade. Even if you’re not planning on selling your home soon, upgrading can increase its value—and make it more attractive for buyers in the future. Your fireplace can be the first thing that potential buyers see when they walk into your home.
Putting in a new fireplace before selling your home is one of the best ways to refresh and upgrade it. Installing a new fireplace is also one of the easiest ways to add value. It’s one of the first projects that homebuyers notice and it can be a great selling point.
Upgrading your existing fireplace is also less expensive than installing an entirely new one—and you won’t have to worry about removing bricks, refilling any gas lines, or getting rid of old soot.
When choosing upgrades for your fireplace, here are 11 things to think about.
1. Reduce Energy Cost and Save Money
There are many ways to save money in this day and age, but one of the best is by reducing your energy costs. If you upgrade to a new fireplace insert or stove it will reduce your monthly heating expenses significantly. The efficiency level of most inserts runs between 80%-90% meaning 90% of fuel gets turned into heat for your home. Older traditional fireplaces are only in the range of 50%-60% efficient.
The higher efficiency levels will reduce your monthly heating expenses significantly, it can be up to $100 or more per month for some homes. This is a great way to pay yourself back for purchasing an insert!
- Lower energy bills means you have increased living comfort
- Lower energy bills enhances the value of your home
- Get that money back into your pocket!
- It’s also good for the environment!
- Moderate an easy lifestyle for low Maintenance
To have a fireplace in the home is to show you are not alone. You can invite your friends or family for an evening of wine and tales at any time. However, it does mean that if something goes wrong with this source of heat, there may be no one around who knows how to fix it. This means that when problems do arise, it is best to call a professional who can provide the necessary services. Experts have both experience and training so that they know exactly what needs to be done. As well as this, because of their specialization within fireplaces, you do not have to pay for them also being plumbers or electricians too!
For those who want to have a fireplace, but nothing more than an easy fix should be applied. Part of this is because the existing fireplace can appear dated and not show your true personality. It may come down to needing new technology or updating with something that has been around for decades! You must always remember that if you are buying a used one then you cannot be sure of its history. This means that it could have been damaged or not used for a long time, which will make the whole thing need to be replaced anyway!
Upgrading with new technology is one way in order to reduce your energy consumption. There are several ways you can achieve this and there are many different options from which to choose. Some people are okay with changing the hearth or even making sure that it fits in with their new design scheme, but others want more than this! If you do then be prepared for changes such as venting and flue systems being replaced by ones which allow better air flow inside the chimney.
One way of upgrading the existing fireplace is to consider an electric fire place instead. This is where you can get rid of that old wood burner and still have a living flame in front of which it will be easy for you to enter your favorite relaxing position!
Some people want more than this, but they are not prepared to make big structural changes like ripping out the existing fireplace to replace it. In these cases, you can consider a gas fire place which is easy to install and requires no hearth change at all!
The traditional cast iron wood burning stoves have been around for centuries now. However, there are some people who want something else, but still want an authentic feel in their home. In this case, you can consider a slate fireplace which will look beautiful in any room!
Perhaps, the original reason for having a fireplace was to have something that would give off heat during cold winter months when there is no other source of warmth available. However, what if it gets too hot and steamy inside your home? In this case, you can always look at adding a fan to help with the circulation and get rid of that feeling like you cannot breathe!
Finally, if it is something else which triggers your desire for an upgrade then there are things such as sound effects. This means music or even nature sounds that will make people feel more relaxed when they are inside your home. It is a great way to make people feel more connected and it can be easily added after the fact with no structural alterations needing to take place!
2. Promise a safer Home Environment
A properly designed fireplace can keep your home safer from fire hazards. In fact, a well-designed and installed gas or wood burning fireplace will actually decrease the chances of fires in your living room as it is being used.
- The most common cause of home fires is due to heating equipment.
- A fireplace that has been properly designed and installed will provide more safety than the one you have in your room today.
3. Promise a cheaper Home Environment
– It’s true, there are many homes around America with beautiful, nonfunctioning fireplaces.
Some homeowners’ associations even require that existing fireplaces be removed or blocked off if they are not in use, due to safety concerns.
4. Intensify energy Efficiency
The fireplace is one of the major sources of wasted energy in your home, especially if it’s older. Upgrading to a new efficient model will not only cut back on how much you spend each month for heating and cooling but also help save the environment.
5. Save money each month
If you have an old fireplace, chances are the energy efficiency is not as good as it could be. That means that much of your hard-earned cash goes up in smoke (literally). With a new efficient model, this will no longer happen and you’ll notice savings right away on your heating and cooling bills.
6. Healthier stay at Home all the Year Round
One of the best features about interior fireplaces is that it helps to keep you warm throughout the year. If your current fireplace doesn’t help you stay as warm, upgrading can make a difference! This also means fewer trips outside in the cold winter months and more time staying cozy inside with family and friends.
- Fireplace is the only source of heat in your home.
- It provides an even, comfortable temperature throughout the house.
- It’s a cheap and environmentally friendly way to heat your home without using electricity or fuel oil/gas etc.
- It makes your home cozy and livable.
- No more of those expensive trips to the gas station every time you run out of fuel or electricity!
- You don’t have to worry about anything with a fireplace in place, it will be all sorted for you. All you need is some firewood.
- It reduces your home heating costs by up to 50%.
- You can save a lot of money on fuel oil, electricity and gas bills every year if you have an efficient fireplace in place.
- If you don’t already own one, now is the best time to install it as there are so many companies that offer fireplace installation.
- You can use it with an existing chimney or have a new one built for you by just paying extra labor costs!
- It’s the best way to heat your home in winter and is also very easy on the pocket because of its cost effectiveness. If you do not have a fireplace in place, it’s time to get one today!
- It is the most convenient and fastest way to heat your whole house or any part of it.
- You can also recycle old clothes into rags for cleaning purposes with fabric like cotton and flannel etc. Just cut them up and use them for cleaning purposes!
- If you do not have a fireplace in place, it’s time to get one today! It is the most convenient and fastest way to heat your whole house or any part of it.
- It’s the best way to heat your home in winter and is also very easy on the pocket because of its cost effectiveness. If you do not have a fireplace in place, it’s time to get one today!
7. You don’t have to worry about a Chimney or Venting System
Many homeowners don’t have a fireplace that has an existing chimney or venting system. If you are one of these people, it may be best to choose something other than a traditional fireplace for your home. You won’t need to worry about getting permits since the new heating appliance is electric and you won’t need to worry about the mess of a chimney.
The new technology is also much safer than traditional fireplaces. You don’t have to worry about your house burning down, and you won’t need a bulky glass door that can break or shatter easily. There are many reasons why you should upgrade the existing fireplace in your home.
8. Fireplace increase the Value of your Home
A fireplace can increase the value of your home by up to 15 percent. This is because it immediately enhances a room’s appearance and gives buyers an emotional connection with the house.
The fireplace can also be a selling point because it’s easy to show off. Fireplace inserts are generally smaller and require less work than an entirely new installation, so you won’t have to take down your entire wall or ceiling for the job. This makes buyers feel like they’re getting more house for their money.
You can also boost the value of your home by adding a fireplace to an existing room. For example, if you have an empty nook off the living room or den with plenty of space and great natural light, it’s worth exploring whether this would be a good location for a second-floor woodburning stove.
9. Fireplaces come in all Shapes and Sizes
When installing a fireplace, most people focus on the aesthetics of it. They want to make sure that their home looks good and has something that stands out (and is functional). The problem with this approach is that you can end up buying a larger version than what your house requires or misses some other important features.
If you are currently looking to upgrade your fireplace, here are some things that you need to consider first.
Size – Before purchasing a new or used fireplace for your home, it is important that you know the size of the opening in which you will be placing it inside of. This measurement can easily be taken by measuring on the inside of the box itself.
Width – When measuring your fireplace, you need to pay attention to how wide it is as well. If there are any windows near by or other places where heat will escape easily, then an oversized version can be problematic for this reason alone.
Height – The height that a fireplace should be is often overlooked, but it can make a big difference in the look of your home. If you are looking to have an open concept feel or generally want more space between yourself and the fireplace, then consider getting one that has higher sides. This way you will be able to stand closer to it without bending over too much while still being farther away than you would be if it had a smaller version.
Glass – If you are installing or upgrading your fireplace yourself, then the glass that comes with it should not pose too much of an issue for you to deal with. The bigger problem will come when trying to get the type of glass that is best suited for what you need in terms of functionality.
Hearth – The hearth is the part of your fireplace that has either a flat surface or one with an indented center where you are able to stand while near it. If you have ever used a small fire pit for warmth purposes, then this should be easy to imagine what something like that would look like (although larger in scale).
Color – If you are looking for the fireplace that is not only functional, but also helps to add color and warmth into your home interior design then you will want something that matches well with what it already looks like. Fortunately there are many different shades of black or other colors available which can help make it easier on yourself when trying to find one that will work well with the rest of your house.
Functionality – Depending on what you are looking for in terms of functionality, then it is important that you look for a fireplace that has multiple options such as: remote control ignition and safety glass doors among many others. This way even if there is some sort of malfunction, you will be able to get the fire started again without much of an issue.
Accessories – Depending on what your fireplace is made out of and how old it currently is, then there might not always be enough space for all types of accessories that would go well with it. If this happens to be the case in your home then you will need to look for an upgrade that has enough room inside of it so you can put whatever you want into the fireplace.
Contractors – When looking at your options, then make sure that you are dealing with a contractor who is familiar with what they are doing and one that comes highly recommended by other people in the area. This way you will be able to avoid any problems that can come from using someone who is inexperienced and does not know what they are doing.
Quality – When it comes down to choosing a fireplace, there are many things that need to be considered like: cost, functionality, and safety among others. All of these factors should play an important part in your decision making process, but ultimately you should always choose the fireplace that has a higher quality build since this will help to ensure it lasts longer and works better than something of lower grade.
Warranties – While not all companies offer warranties, those who do make sure they stand by their product no matter what happens or how long you have had it for. If you are looking to make sure that your fireplace will be taken care of in the event something happens then look into what they offer you and if there is anything that concerns you, then ask about it until all of your questions have been answered properly.
Maintenance – Depending on how often someone uses their fireplace, they might not need to do any type of maintenance on it. However, if there is a chance that you will be using it more often than most people then the smaller issues might start showing themselves over time and cause some problems for you as well. In order to avoid anything like this from happening make sure your fireplace gets serviced at least once every year or two.
Remote – This is an important factor to consider when looking for a fireplace upgrade since it will make your life much easier (especially if you do not like having to get up and down multiple times). If this sounds like something that would work well with the way you live then look into what models are available in terms of remote functionality and make sure you choose one that will fit your needs the best.
10. A Fireplace can be used as an accent piece, even if it does not Produce Heat
- A Fireplace is an excellent source of heat for your home in wintertime. It can easily replace other sources like radiators or electric heaters that use up too much energy and money when turned on. A Fireplace can be used in many rooms of your home, including the bedroom and family room. It is a great source for making any area feel comfortable and warm when needed.
- A Fireplace can be used as an accent piece, even if it does not Produce Heat. A fireplace creates a stunning focal point or element in any room of your home or office space. If you are thinking about redecorating the living room, for example, consider adding a Gas Logs fire pit to give your guests something to look at. A fireplace can be decorated with candles, flowers and other personal touches to give it a homey or welcoming feel that matches your decor style and taste preferences.
- A Fireplace is an excellent source of heat for your home in wintertime. It can easily replace other sources like radiators or electric heaters that use up too much energy and money when turned on. A Fireplace can be used in many rooms of your home, including the bedroom and family room. It is a great source for making any area feel comfortable and warm when needed.
- A Fireplace creates a stunning focal point or element in any room of your home or office space. If you are thinking about redecorating the living room, for example, consider adding a Gas Logs fire pit to give your guests something to look at. A fireplace can be decorated with candles, flowers and other personal touches to give it a homey or welcoming feel that matches your decor style and taste preferences.
11. Environmental Protection
The fireplace is an integral part of the home. Instead of replacing it with a new one, many people are upgrading their existing fireplace to make it more environmentally friendly and efficient for heating purposes.
The fireplace can be made to trap and burn the gases that produce carbon monoxide and other dangerous emissions
Reducing wood burning will also reduce air pollution. Burning one ton of seasoned hardwood results in about 30 pounds (14 kg) of ash, 0.18 tons (0.16 tonnes) of CO like greenhouse gas emissions, and about 60 pounds (27 kg) of smoke that travels into neighboring homes.
Using the fireplace while burning efficient wood pellets will reduce pollutants in the air by 40%.
The resulting ash is easy to clean up because it has a fine consistency.
Safety Tips
- Consider the down draft effect. Don’t use gas or wood pellets near flammable objects; you risk starting a fire if they are caught up in the updraft of hot gases.
- Use fireplace screens to prevent errant sparks from flying out and causing fires outside your home.
- Never use lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline to start a fire. These liquids are highly flammable and can cause major fires if they come into contact with your hot fireplace embers.
- Keep screens clean. As you burn wood, creosote accumulates on the screen that can lead to a large fire if not cleaned regularly.
- Not numbered or bulleted lists should be written below this line. Not all of these guidelines are relevant for every fireplace, but it’s good practice to consider their importance in your home.
- For example, if you have a wood burning fireplace, the main concern is to prevent creosote buildup in your chimney which can cause an extremely dangerous fire when exposed to hot embers or flames. Make sure that your screens are cleaned regularly and thoroughly so it doesn’t become blocked with this material.
- There could be many other safety considerations depending on the type of fireplace. This is why it’s important to consult your manufacturer or a certified professional if you are concerned about these guidelines not applying to your specific situation.
FAQs
What type of glass should I use?
Glass tile and fireglass are the most common materials. It is up to you which one you choose, but we recommend using glass tiles in a small room such as an office or bedroom since they provide better insulation than fireglass. Fireglass works best when surrounded by larger spaces like living rooms or kitchens.
Can I install a fireplace without using mortar?
Absolutely! We have several installation kits that allow you to do just this. The kit includes everything you need from the flue, insulation and firebrick to an adjustable wall mount for your specific situation. Another option is building a masonry surround with brick or stone. You can even use a combination of materials such as brick on the bottom and stone or tile above it to create an elegant look that is both beautiful and functional!
How do I install my fireplace?
First, you need to build a fireproof surround for your new fireplace. We recommend using mortar since it provides more stability. Once the surround is completed, you need to prepare your electric and gas lines for connecting them to your fireplace. Connecting these two systems safely requires a professional; we recommend hiring an expert plumber or HVAC specialist with at least five years of experience!
How can I enhance my fireplaces appearance?
There are several ways to make your fireplace more attractive. If you have a brick or stone surround, you can paint it if needed and could even add a few additional features such as wainscoting to the bottom of the walls or wall-mounted shelves above it. You can also dress up an existing mantle with molding for a custom look that will save money.
What is the best way to clean my fireplace?
The first step of cleaning your new or existing fireplace should be contacting a professional cleaner. They can provide you with safe, effective products that will work on any surface no matter how much soot and ash has collected over time! After the inside of the fireplace has been cleaned, you should clean the exterior with soap and water. Always clean it before using soot-removal tools to avoid scratching your new fireplace!
Where is a good place for my fireplace?
A great location for a fireplace is between two windows or in an alcove that can be used as a reading nook. If you have a large open space, you can place your fireplace in the center of it so that everyone can enjoy being around it. Another option is placing it on an outside wall for more privacy or to block out noise from traffic and neighbors!
Conclusion
If you’re looking to increase the value of your home and upgrade a fireplace, there are many benefits to doing so. Not only will it give your house an immediate boost in resale price if or when you decide to sell, but it can also dramatically improve comfort levels for those living inside as well. While not every renovation project will be a good investment, an upgrade to the existing fireplace is likely one that will benefit your family in many ways.