6 Questions to Ask if You’re Ready for a New Fireplace

Is it time for a fireplace refresh?

The temperatures outside currently may not call for additional heat inside, but when it does, would it come from your old, outdated, fireplace? Could the hearth of your home use a redo?

Now is the time to be thinking and planning for that new look and function of what your fireplace could be. There have been many great advances made as far as the different options available. From the original wood-burning stone and timber to the modern vent-free gas or electric inserts, fireplace design has come a long way from a utilitarian necessity to a bespoke focal point in the home.

Where do you start to figure out how to make changes or upgrades, you ask? Well, the first step is always to take a condition inventory of the existing fireplace. Some questions on your checklist could be:

1. What is the age of the fireplace?
2. How often is it used?
3. Does it contain an insert for the firebox, or was it totally fabricated as one whole structure?
4. What type of fireplace is it – wood-burning, wood-burning with gas starter, direct-vent gas, or electric?
5. Does the built footprint need to remain the same or can it be changed?
6. Is there any major maintenance needed on the interior of the chimney flue or the exterior?

Once you have answers to these questions, your results will help determine the direction you can take from a remodeling aspect of your fireplace. Age and frequency of use are two major factors that will determine the need for new equipment, where possible repair proves to be more costly than installing brand new components of the fireplace. Building codes, particularly fire codes, too have changed in the last thirty to fifty years in the construction and installation of fireplace structures, and require much more attention to the materials used and safety protocol for proper operation. Plus, the fireplaces of today have become much more energy-efficient and environmentally conscious.

As mentioned, there are many types of firebox interior inserts, and along with them are numerous design styles for the exterior facades. From a traditional style with brick and wood to a sleek contemporary look using tile, stone, or concrete, you can create a personalized composition that caters to your home and lifestyle.

Here are some examples of styles with the correlating materials and design elements listed:

Rustic Styling, featuring the Napoleon “High Country™ 8000” wood-burning fireplace

Typical materials and design elements such as:

• Quarried, asymmetric sized stone for facades
• Distressed, aged timbers or rock ledges for mantels
• Hand-forged iron for the firebox framing and grate; black metal screening
• Real wood logs, or driftwood or birch wood campfire log burner sets

Traditional Styling, featuring the Regency® Bellavista® B36XTCE direct vent gas fireplace

Typical materials and design elements such as:

• Painted or stained architectural millwork for facades
• Marble or brick surround and raised hearth ledge
• Decorative brass or metal screening
• Real or faux wood logs on iron grate burner sets

Modern Styling, featuring the Regency® Horizon® HZ40E frameless gas fireplace

Typical materials and design elements such as:

• Full or partial slab stone or quartz, patterned tile, or decorative metals for facades
• Solid glass panel fronts or sides for viewing; stone, quartz, or tile hearth consistent with the facade
• Linear fireboxes
• Stone or reflective or murano glass liners in burner sets, some combined with faux logs

Contemporary Styling, featuring the VALOR “New Forest Electric 48” Fireplace

Typical materials and design elements such as:

• Full or partial slab stone or quartz, large format tile for facades
• Solid glass panel fronts or sides for viewing; minimal or no raised hearth
• Various shaped, geometric fire boxes; corners or double-sided
• Stone or reflective or murano glass liners in burner sets, some combined with faux logs

Eclectic Styling, featuring the Ortal Front Facing 110H gas fireplace

Typical materials and design elements such as:

• Uniquely fabricated exotic stone, quartz, or tile, or combinations of all for facades
• Includes artistic embellishments such as large format wall art
• Hearths of various sizes and heights
• Glass panel fronts in various sizes; log, glass liner, or combination of both for burner sets

Whichever style refresh you choose, you simply can’t go wrong with the beauty, warmth, and cozy charm the place we know as the “hearth of the home” provides us. There’s nothing like the feeling it delivers, coupled with a comfy chair, a glass of wine, and a great read!