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