Fireplaces: Warm, Cozy, Romantic and SAFE!
“The primary issue with any fireplace in a home is ‘How safe is it?’” says Jeff Voss, Branch Manager of Fireside Hearth & Home, in Madison.
“There are high quality products on the market now with the technology to do just about anything in reason, ”Voss added, “but it is important for the consumer to know, when something can not be done as wished, it’s probably a safety issue. In other words, the contractor is considering building and fire codes to protect you and your family.”
“Other than those issues to take into account, a fireplace can be renovated or built in just about any circumstance.”
“It seems the events that trigger fireplace projects can range from family preferences to different living situations such as new empty nesters, finishing rooms as previously planned or wanting to change the character of an existing home.”
What Many Don’t Expect With Fireplaces…
The stereotype is that fireplaces are large, masonry monstrosities that will alter the very foundation of a home. If you don’t have one to begin with, many people just throw in the towel.
The reality is, there are a large number of fireplace designs prepared to be installed in an wide variety of homes. Our showroom as well as others in the Madison area show the styles available at various price points.
What consumers don’t often have is a perspective on the process of designing and buying a fireplace for their home.
Jeff’s Fireplace Buying Steps
Following these steps should allow you to design the best fireplace for your needs:
1. Select a preferred fuel — this could include, gas, wood, electric, or pellets.
2. Select a room or rooms — the size is significant especially if you want to us your new fireplace to contribute to
heating the room (or other portions of your home).
3. Select the models of fireplace(s) you prefer — items to consider include: Log styles, door styles, refractory (the
style/look back of opening), price points
? Low — Smaller investment, good flame, less accessories
? Medium — A little larger expenditure, the logs are more realistic looking, the flames are better looking, there
will be more door options, more accessories
? High — Most realistic looking flame, often flame comes through the logs, they have blower vent systems, can
have directed heat zones, other rooms can be heated by the fireplace.
4. Face & finish — the final step to making your new fireplace work in your home
? Select a mantle — Top wood shelf
? Design your hearth — the floor in front to the unit
? Facing — What is used around the logs.This includes but is not limited to tile, granite, marble, brick, stone,
slate, fieldstone, natural granite.
5. Have your contractors review your site. Eliminate guessing and assumptions.
6. Get a proposal with a detailed quote and a building plan.
“Usually, if you are focused, you can create a fireplace plan and be ready to build in about two weeks. The actual construction may only take two days. It’s a very short time to have a great, high impact home improvement completed.” Jeff Voss, Fireside Hearth & Home.
