| Picture how your fireplace will be used. You've | | | | decision. The greatest element of your design style |
| probably already got a location in mind, but the | | | | will be the hearth, surround, trim and mantel |
| practicality of the location may be affected by | | | | choices.The hearth is the extension into the room |
| venting needs, installation clearance requirements and | | | | that provides protection to your flooring while the |
| fuel choices.Part 1: GREAT EXPECTATIONSFirst, why | | | | surround provides protection for the walls surrounding |
| are you installing a fireplace? Is is for recreational use | | | | your fireplace. Requirements will vary greatly for the |
| and entertaining? Is it serving as a backup | | | | surround and hearth based on the type of fuel your |
| emergency heating system? Supplemental heat for a | | | | fireplace burns and the individual requirements for the |
| chilly room? Is it simply a decorative element to | | | | model chosen. Woodburning fireplaces will most often |
| enhance your decor? Fireplaces are available in a wide | | | | require a hearth 18" or more in front of the fireplace, |
| range of designs fireplaces being used as | | | | and extending to each side to offer maximum |
| supplemental or backup heat sources will get the | | | | protection for sparks and tumbling embers. Gas |
| most use and a higher quality (more expensive) | | | | fireplaces and electric fireplaces may require little to |
| model will be a better choice that generally offers | | | | no hearth or surround, although incorporating these |
| greater efficiency.Who will be using the new | | | | elements into your design may offer a more |
| fireplace? What is your lifestyle? Elderly people and | | | | authentic look and appeal for your room.Hearths and |
| those with health problems may not be able to | | | | surrounds can incorporate a wide variety of materials |
| handle the vigors of toting firewood. But if you have | | | | just be sure and choose the right material, in the |
| the time to enjoy the rituals of cutting, splitting and | | | | correct thickness for heat transfer protection, and |
| stacking wood and the idea of free heat from fallen | | | | make sure it's installed correctly. Make sure there is |
| trees on your property, an investment in a wood | | | | adequate weight support beneath the fireplace and |
| burning fireplace may suit your needs perfectly. | | | | hearth area to support the fireplace, venting system |
| Otherwise, expand your possibilities to gas or electric | | | | and hearth/surround materials. A fireproof |
| fireplaces.Fireplace design experts and chimney | | | | underlayment may be needed in some installations. |
| sweeps agree that low-end, builder-grade fireplaces | | | | Here are some materials you may consider for |
| should only be used for occasional, recreational fires | | | | hearths and surrounds:Brick or brick veneersStone, |
| such as family gatherings at holidays. If you expect | | | | stone veneers or cultured stoneCeramic tileSlate, |
| to use your fireplace once a week or more during | | | | marble, granite & solid surface materialsMetallic |
| the winter, opt for a higher end model that will last | | | | surfaces such as stainless steel or copperCement |
| for many years because replacement is an | | | | slabsMantels and TrimYour mantel and trim choice |
| expensive, time-consuming project. Now let's begin | | | | may have the greatest impact on the aesthetic |
| with the next stage of planning.Part 2: CHOOSING | | | | design of your fireplace. A grand mantel can take a |
| THE FUELWoodDo you picture burning natural | | | | standard fireplace from ordinary to exquisite! Many |
| firewood? Wood burning fireplaces will put the most | | | | home owners choose to allot more of their budget |
| restraints on your design. The chimney system must | | | | for the fireplace installation into the mantel than any |
| run vertically in a relatively straight configuration and | | | | other part of the project, so consider how the |
| clear the roof line according to local codes, which are | | | | mantel will affect your overall look and costs. The |
| a minimum of 3' in most areas - but can be | | | | mantel is installed to from the surround and provide a |
| excessively more depending upon your roof pitch and | | | | finished look. Detailed mantels are most often used in |
| home design. You'll want the fireplace installed in an | | | | homes with a traditional design. The mantel includes |
| area that's accessible to a doorway to the outside to | | | | decorative vertical trim that sits on the fireplace |
| bring in your firewood and take out ashes. A wood | | | | hearth and most often includes a mantel shelf.Make |
| burning fireplace will also have the greatest | | | | sure the mantel is installed to allow sufficient |
| requirements for a fireproof hearth that protrudes | | | | clearances to amply meet the fireplace |
| into the room and for side and top clearances. And | | | | manufacturer's instructions. Deep shelves, for |
| unless you opt for a high-end, energy efficient | | | | example, can present challenges with wood burning |
| fireplace fireplace design that offers tightly sealing | | | | fireplaces as the overhang can cause fire hazards due |
| doors for long burn times and upgraded designs to | | | | to the excessive rising heat.Mantels are available in a |
| provide high heat output, burning wood may actually | | | | huge variety of materials, styles and |
| remove more heat from your room than it | | | | designs:MarbleWoodCast IronLimestoneCultured |
| adds.Opening front, decorative wood burning | | | | StonePlasterResinLooking for a very contemporary |
| fireplaces are banned as new appliance choices in | | | | design? Contemporary designs use simple lines to |
| some areas that are prone to air quality problems. | | | | create a harmonious feel, or exciting textures and |
| Decorative fireplaces consume a lot of fuel, can | | | | patterns that might not be enhanced by use of a |
| produce excessive amounts of smoke into your | | | | mantel or shelf. In a contemporary design, consider |
| neighborhood, and offer little to no heat output. So | | | | using a simple trim the merely finishes off the edges |
| carefully consider the quality and features of the | | | | of your surround.I have the perfect design in mind! I |
| models available during your planning stages. Higher | | | | know just how it should look and I'm ready to |
| end models may give you many more years of | | | | go!Part 5: THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF FIREPLACE |
| service plus convenience features that give you | | | | INSTALLATION & PLANNINGThe complexity of your |
| longer burn times, more heat from every piece of | | | | fireplace design and installation will determine how |
| wood and cleaner burning that results in less smoke | | | | much help the average do-it-yourselfer may |
| and a cleaner chimney.Make sure you have a good | | | | participate in the project.Plan, Plan and Check Your |
| source of firewood available and space to stack your | | | | Plans Again!Does the fireplace offer the features you |
| wood pile. The type of wood you burn - and how | | | | most want?Can your home accomodate any required |
| you store and care for your firewood - will greatly | | | | venting needs?Do you have adequate space for the |
| affect your wood burning experience.For all but the | | | | fireplace plus the needed framing and hearth required |
| most talented do-it-yourselfers, a woodburning | | | | for this model?What hearth and surround will you |
| fireplace is a job that is best done by a licensed and | | | | use?Have you chosen a mantel that meets clearance |
| experienced professional.GasGas fireplaces offer a | | | | requirements?We recommend that you draw your |
| convenient, realistic flame at the touch of a button. | | | | fireplace project on paper and plan all dimensions |
| Remote controls are available for most models. Many | | | | very carefully. A great next step is to use |
| can also use thermostat controls that adjust the | | | | newspaper and create a template on your floor and |
| flame or turn the fire on and off based on the room | | | | wall so that you can visually see the amount of |
| temperature. Venting options may allow installation in | | | | space that will be allotted to your new fireplace |
| nearly any room, on any floor of your home.Gas | | | | installation, how close furniture will be to the new |
| fireplaces come in a variety of styles, sizes and | | | | fireplace, etc.Buy your fireplace and find your |
| designs and offer multiple venting options. Decorative | | | | contractorsNow that you've chosen your fireplace, |
| models won't give you much heat, while higher end | | | | your surround, hearth and mantel, what's |
| models can heat an open floor plan nearly as | | | | next?Purchase from a retailer or supplier that meets |
| effectively as a furnace. Direct vent models may | | | | your individual needs. You may even find that a single |
| vent horizontally or give you enough options with | | | | store can help with everything you need: the |
| offsets for the vent to terminate remotely from the | | | | fireplace, venting, mantel and surround plus the |
| fireplace. Every model from every manufacturer is | | | | installers to get the whole job done for you. Or you |
| different, so check installation requirements carefully | | | | may need to buy from several sources to get all the |
| to make sure your design can be implemented for | | | | materials needed for the project. Buy from the |
| safe and efficient use.Gas fireplaces are designed to | | | | store(s) that offer the technical support and product |
| burn either Natural Gas (piped into your home by the | | | | selection that you most desire.Framing and sheetrock |
| city gas company) or LP (Liquid Propane) which is | | | | will probably be needed. Is this a job you can do |
| stored in a tank in your yard.Installation of a gas | | | | yourself, or is a carpenter or handyman required? |
| fireplace will require a plumber or HVAC technician | | | | Make sure framing allows not only the proper opening |
| (check local codes) to run gas lines to the fireplace | | | | for the fireplace but the hearth and mantel as well.If |
| and to install the fireplace and venting system, so this | | | | you're installing a gas fireplace, make sure you have a |
| is a project that will require professional | | | | licensed tradesman to run gas lines. Arrange for |
| installation.Electric FireplacesOnce not even a | | | | delivery of the LP gas tank or connection of gas lines |
| consideration for fireplaces, electric fires are now all | | | | to your home if you're adding a gas fireplace to a |
| the rage. They operate at 100% efficiency and | | | | home that doesn't already have gas appliances in use. |
| require no venting so they can be installed any | | | | Gas service may include a wait from a few days to |
| where. They may also be the only option for renters | | | | several weeks, so plan early!After the framing is |
| or for high-rise condos and office buildings. Designs | | | | done, the fireplace is installed. Check building code |
| range from small to large, traditional to contemporary. | | | | requirements and make sure you or the contractor |
| Most include a heater than can provide plenty of | | | | apply for the permit and have the required |
| warmth for smaller areas. There are no special | | | | inspections done to help assure the fireplace is |
| installation requirements - just plug into an existing | | | | installed safely and correctly. Installation of a wood or |
| 3-prong outlet - so this is a relatively simple installation | | | | gas burning fireplace, the venting system and the gas |
| that most homeowners can accomplish on their | | | | lines are jobs best left to a professional. A safety |
| own.Now that we know what type of fuel is right, | | | | inspection is performed after the fireplace is installed, |
| let's plan where it will be installed.Part 3: CHOOSING | | | | checking for proper clearances to framing, proper |
| YOUR FIREPLACE LOCATIONAs we learned in part | | | | installation of the venting system and proper |
| two, the fuel you'll be burning in your fireplace may | | | | installation of gas lines.After the framing inspection is |
| dictate where the fireplace can be installed based on | | | | done, you may install sheetrock, surround and hearth |
| the venting requirements of the model chosen. A | | | | materials, and the mantel. This part of the project |
| woodburning fireplace in an upstairs bedroom is not | | | | may be done by talented homeowners, or may be |
| practical because you'll be toting wood up and | | | | left in the hands of tradesmen specializing in the |
| carrying ashes down.Sometimes a compromise will be | | | | materials you've chosen such as tile installers, |
| required to meet venting and clearance requirements | | | | carpenters, general contractors or talented |
| of the fireplace style you choose. Your ideal location | | | | handy-man companies.After your fireplace installation |
| between two windows may not work, but the more | | | | is complete, a final inspection by the building inspector |
| spacious area on the opposite wall would be perfect. | | | | is required for gas or wood burning fireplaces. This |
| Or perhaps the woodburning fireplace you prefer | | | | helps assure that another tradesman has not |
| between the windows can't fit, but a gas burning | | | | covered combustible areas of the fireplace with |
| model will. So determine how important the location | | | | surround materials (such as covering vents on the |
| of the fireplace is to the design you have in mind and | | | | fireplace with tile) and that the hearth and mantel are |
| remain flexible during this stage of | | | | installed with proper clearances. Final gas inspections |
| planning.PlacementDepending upon the era, fireplaces | | | | are also done at this time, perhaps by a different |
| have been designed through the ages with a variety | | | | inspector.After final inspections are done, follow your |
| of styles. A corner fireplace may provide the perfect | | | | manufacturer's instructions for break-in use. This |
| balance for other elements in the room. Flat or | | | | usually involves small, low fires that help cure paint |
| low-profile hearths are more practical in smaller rooms | | | | and refractory materials used on gas and wood |
| where you'll be less like to stub your toe walking by. | | | | burning fireplaces. Review use and safety instructions |
| Flat hearths were popular from the early 1800's to | | | | with everyone in the home who will be operating the |
| the 1940's. Raised hearths may bring the fireplace up | | | | new fireplace.Now uncork the wine, call your friends |
| to offer a better view from a bed or sofa. A hearth | | | | and family, light a fire and enjoy! Your new fireplace |
| raised 16" to 18" offers additional seating in the room. | | | | will add a special warmth to a chilly evening. You've |
| Think of the design elements in your room, how the | | | | made a great investment in your home's value and to |
| furniture will be arranged, and the type of fireplace | | | | your quality of life.This article copyrighted by THE |
| you're installing. Raised hearths allow less bending | | | | FIREPLACE CHANNELKaren Duke is a fireplace, |
| when loading or tending to a wood fire. If you're | | | | chimney and hearth industry expert of over 25 years |
| trying to replicate the look of a particular era then | | | | in both the retail and service sectors. She is a CSIA |
| research the style of fireplaces, surround and hearth | | | | Certified Chimney Sweep and has numerous hearth |
| materials plus mantel styles that were popular at that | | | | industry certifications. She is the founder and |
| time.I've chosen my fuel and the room it's going to | | | | webmaster of and she is the co-founder and |
| be installed into, now how should it look?Part 4: | | | | webmaster of , which is one of the largest online |
| CUSTOMIZING YOUR FIREPLACE DESIGNA fireplace | | | | fireplace retailers in the world. She makes her home |
| is usually a generic box that holds a fire. Decorative | | | | in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Karen's contact information |
| accents provided by the manufacturer (such as trim | | | | can be found on either of the above sites. |
| styles and door or window finishes) will be your next | | | | |