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