Adding a Fireplace & Chimney

If you long for a warming fire in your master bedroom or maybe even in your living room -- if your house didn't come with one originally -- might consider adding a chimney and fireplace.

It can be a fairly expensive project but it will pay off for you in the long run. You'll be adding a wonderful new feature to your home that your family can enjoy for as long as you own your house. You'll also be improving the overall value of the home. Having a fireplace in the family room, kitchen, or bedroom is an added bonus that will definitely help you sell your home. Fireplaces rank among the top 3 features desired by new homeowners, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

There are pre-fab fireplace kits but they tend to look and work like a pre-fab kit. A true masonry fireplace will allow you to add a real wood burning fireplace to your most important rooms.

When planning to add a new fireplace, consider:

• If you can have a fireplace at your house. Some areas or neighborhoods don't allow them. Also, your house may not be up to code to have a fireplace added.
  
• The flow of traffic in the room. Make sure your fireplace won't interrupt the flow of the room. Also consider putting the fireplace where a window or door already exist to keep from having to squeeze it in and ruining the style or architecture of the room.
  
• If you can put the fireplace in a corner, you'll take up less wall and room space. A fireplace in the center of a wall can take over a room and limit your options with pictures/paintings, furniture, or TVs.
  

Decide on the Type of Fireplace you want:

• Wood Burning
• Electric
• Gas

Finally, you'll want to think about your mantle. The fireplace mantle can be the focal point of the entire room. You'll put your knick-knacks and family photos up there. You'll want to try to match the mantle to the decorations and design of your house and of the room itself. If you've got a rustic bungalow, you'll probably not want to install a sleek contemporary marble mantle. You can go with wood, brick, natural stone, and even metal.

One last thing to consider - your firebox opening doesn't need to be a square or rectangle. You can go with a slightly arched opening or even a semi-circle to give the fireplace a truly unique look and style. Have fun with your fireplace installation. Discuss your options with your masonry contractor.

If you need to find a fireplace installation contractor to install your new fireplace, you can post your request on ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you with a local brick fireplace installer your area for free. It beats choosing someone at random from the yellow pages.

Don't forget to ask for references -- you want to make sure you get a mason with a strong background in chimney building. It can be a very tricky process and the fireplace must be installed correctly.

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