Friday, November 2, 2012

What to Consider for a Custom Masonry Fireplace Design



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.


 

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for providing such useful information. I really appreciate your professional approach

    Bellevue Stucco
    Stucco Contractors Seattle
    Seattle Stucco
    Stucco Repair Seattle

    ReplyDelete
  2. The way that they made these custom fireplaces out of bricks, stones, and wood look amazing. I wish that I had the skill to do this kind of masonry work. This is a work of art and they are beautiful. You should really be proud of yourself and what you have made.
    Jak Manson | http://www.masonrymajic.com/services/

    ReplyDelete