Advantages and Disadvantages of Installing a Fireplace at Home
Fireplaces aren’t as common today as they used to be. There was a time when they were built into every new house, but thanks to central heating and other modern heating solutions, they aren’t really needed as much as they once were.
However, all of that is about to change. The world is experiencing an unprecedented cost of living crisis– gas prices are rising exponentially. People are no longer able to afford to heat their homes, which is why more and more people are starting to consider installing fireplaces.
This post will tell you about all of the advantages and disadvantages of installing a fireplace at home:
No Chimney Required
An advantage to installing a fireplace is that it’s no longer necessary to have a chimney installed, which means that it’s possible to have a fireplace in more or less any house, regardless of size. According to the experts from Modern Blaze, whom you can click here to learn more about, you can install a vent-free fireplace. The main reason that a lot of people don’t consider installing a fireplace is that they think that they won’t be able to because they don’t have a chimney, but this is wrong. If you live in a flat or an apartment, you should check with the building’s manager whether or not you are allowed to install a vent-free fireplace, however, as it might be against building code.
Expensive Maintenance
Traditionally, fireplaces were cheap to maintain, because people could collect firewood from trees that had fallen down or snapped branches. Now, however, most people live in cities and don’t have access to vast expanses of forest, so they can’t collect wood for free. This means that you have to buy the wood for your fireplace yourself. With that said, it’s worth noting that the cost of wood is actually cheaper in the long run than gas is projected to be, come winter. This means that it’ll be easier for you to heat your home using a fireplace than it will be for you to use your home’s radiators.
Interior Design
Houses with fireplaces tend to look a lot nicer, in terms of interior design. If you are a person who is concerned with their home’s aesthetic appearance, then a fireplace is a great addition. Fireplaces can be built in any style, so it doesn’t matter whether your home’s a Tudor cottage, a Victorian rowhouse, or an ultra-modern Scandi-inspired apartment, a fireplace can improve its appearance significantly. You should be aware that if you are going to have a fireplace built to match a specific style, then it could be very expensive unless it comes already built.
Fake Flames
A lot of people install fireplaces that have fake flames. These are typically called electrical fireplaces. They release and produce heat, but there aren’t any flames nor is wood kindled. If you are going to get a fireplace, then you need to seriously consider your options and decide what you want to have. Do you want a fireplace that actually burns wood or do you want an electrical one that doesn’t actually function like a normal fireplace but looks like one and can still warm your home up. Seriously consider your options when you are planning on investing in a fireplace.
Heating Source
Anybody who has ever had the pleasure of owning a fireplace before will know that it can be a great heat source. Fireplaces can significantly increase your home’s temperature, which is great for cold winter nights. If you are a person who is concerned with keeping your home warm (because you have pets or children) and are worried about what you are going to do this winter, then look no further than the installation of a fireplace. A fireplace installation will keep your home nice and warm so that you don’t have to worry about feeling cold indoors.
Danger
If you have children or pets, then you need to make sure that you install a fireplace guard. Unfortunately, children and pets regularly hurt themselves on fireplaces, because they burn themselves. If you do not install a protective grate, then your child or pet could touch the flame, which could hurt them very badly. A grate will help to prevent them from being able to get near the fire. Many experts agree that two grates are good because usually the one closest to the flame warms up quite a lot and can also cause injuries if it’s touched.
Fireplaces are a great investment. The advantages of a fireplace far outweigh the disadvantages, making them a great addition to your house. Make sure to have a professional fireplace installation company manage your home’s fireplace installation so that it’s built and installed as expertly as possible.
- by Matt Watts
