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