Five Questions to Ask When Shopping for a Fireplace

If you’re dreaming about adding a fireplace to your home, you’re not alone. Realtor.com ranked fireplaces number one in its 2015 list of must-have home features, Houzz recently named hearths and fire features as a top trend for 2016, and fireplaces are the most-desired decorative appearance product in a new home. Of all the home amenities, fireplaces are by far the most comforting and romantic, truly making the heart of a home.

Purchasing a fireplace is not something you do every day, so it’s smart to consider all your options. Whether you are adding a fireplace to your existing home or having one installed in a newly constructed house, our experts suggest considering these important questions:

If you think a traditional brick and mortar fireplace is your only choice – think again. Style options abound and there’s a fireplace to fit every décor style. If you gravitate toward classic or traditional design, there are so many fireplace models you will absolutely love! A few examples are the Heatilator Caliber nXt and the Heirloom Series.

On the other end of the spectrum, contemporary style fireplaces are sleeker, shinier, and stylized – more along the lines of something you’d see in Dwell magazine. Many feature linear flame patterns, rich materials like black onyx, and panoramic viewing angles of the fire. Some examples are the Rave Series and the Novus Evolution. Contemporary style fireplaces also redefine placement, as they are often positioned at a higher level on the wall, similar to that of a piece of art.

After perusing the options online, we’d suggest jumping in your car and visiting a hearth dealer in your area for a closer look.

When thinking about the ultimate hearth experience, the crackling sound of wood burning often comes to mind. Wood has been a mainstay for hundreds of years, but other fuels have distinct benefits and are also worth considering when choosing a fireplace.

The two factors to consider when making a decision about fuel are availability in your area, and the amount of interaction you want to have with your fireplace. Obviously a wood burning fireplace will take more of your time than a gas fireplace.