The days of boring, standard brick fireplaces are out and
creative, original, custom looks are in style. With winter around the corner, it's time to curl up on the couch by the fire and design your dream fireplace. Here are a few things to consider as
you go about designing your new fireplace; it’s as easy as 1,2,3!
Location
If you currently have a fireplace in your home and are
looking to restore or update it, first decide if you want to keep the current
size or expand it. When considering the size of the fireplace,
think about the size and shape of the room, also consider how much heat is
going to be radiated into the room. This can help to determine the
fireplace size. A U.S. Department of Agriculture publication says a
fireplace 30-36 inches wide is generally suitable for a room having 300 square
feet of floor.
Local zoning regulations, building codes and wind direction will also dictate
the location and acceptable chimney height.
Materials and Design
When designing your new fireplace also consider the material
choice. An inefficient material choice can mean more heat goes up and out, instead
of warming your house. It’s also important to consider the materials for design
and matching the rest of the décor in your house. Different types of masonry can create unique looks using materials like brick, stone, stucco, veneer, rock, tile
and decorative concrete.
Style
Here are a few different style samples to gain inspiration
from, including: Southwestern, Mediterranean, Modern and Traditional and
varying mixtures of materials.
If you are in Washington State and would like to start building your dream fireplace today, please contact Power Chimney and Masonry!
Follow us!
Photo courtesy (from top to bottom) of: Stand Out Fireplace Designs, Modern Fireplace Design, HGTV, Home Design Decor Plan, Fernwood Farm House, Interior Decoration Site, vangafireplaces.com, Better Homes and Gardens
