Everyone loves fireplaces, and if you want to elevate your house’s decor and have more heating options, adding one to your property is one of the best decisions you will ever make. You must learn as much as you can about fireplaces before you start shopping, however. Let’s take a look at some of the questions you should ask yourself before buying a fireplace.
What is My Main Motivation for Getting a Fireplace?
Some people may want a fireplace because of the aesthetics while others may want something that will help them supplement their heating supply. So, you will need to write down what your main goal is for getting the fireplaces as some types are better at performing different functions.
Once you know what your main goal is for the fireplace, you’ll need to start looking at the main options. Electric fireplaces are the cheapest and can be installed virtually anywhere. This makes the best option for people who want to get a fireplace simply for the look. They aren’t the best for heating, however.
If you want something for heat, then you will have to look at gas and wood fireplaces. Gas fireplaces are very efficient and can be a great choice if gas is readily available and cheap in your area. But they will never be able to replicate the feel of wood fireplaces. There is nothing like hearing and smelling the cracking sound of wood and if you want to get the classic fireplace experience, wood is the only way to go.
If you find yourself stuck, it would be a good idea to go to a fireplace showroom and speak with the people there so they can direct you toward the best option for your needs.
How Much Interaction and Maintenance Am I Willing to Deal With?
You should also know that there are big differences between fireplaces when it comes to maintenance and the amount of interaction that will be needed to maintain the fire. Wood fireplaces are the most demanding of the three options and will require substantial maintenance, so be ready for that.
Electric fireplaces, on the other hand, require almost no maintenance but are very far from the wood fire experience. If you want a happy medium, gas would be the best option as it requires little maintenance but still retains some of the natural qualities of a wood fireplace.
How Difficult and Costly Will the Installation be?
Last, but not least, you need to look at how difficult and costly it will be to install a particular type of fireplace in the house. Gas and electric fireplaces will usually cost much less to install and will work in most buildings, especially when you consider flueless options. Wood fireplaces, on the other hand, cannot be installed in any home and will cost more to install on average, so be prepared for that.
Once you have all these questions answered, you should be better equipped for finding a good fireplace. Take the time to look at all the options on the market so you can get an idea of the pros and cons of each one.