Upgrading your Fireplace for your New Home

Are you constructing a new house? Were you approached about making any improvements? 

If so, your fireplace is the one feature that needs immediate attention. When considering home improvements, many individuals incorrectly assume that their existing fireplace is sufficient and do not bother to look into possible upgrades. 

Although not everyone will confess it, this is far from the truth! 

Home construction often includes installing what we call “builder-grade” fireplaces since they are attractive and inexpensive for contractors to put in. A problem with these fireplaces is that they don’t compare well to higher-quality models, which is why you’re looking to upgrade.

While constructing your new house, consider these professional recommendations for improving your fireplace like a pro! 

1. Incorporate Striking Visuals

The abstract painting over the mantel focuses attention on the room’s focal point and harmonizes with the rest of the decor. This is a relatively inexpensive renovation idea, depending on how much you want to invest in artwork.

1. Incorporate Glass Doors for Safety 

It’s wonderful to curl up in front of a warm fire on a chilly evening. But a wood fire that isn’t constantly watched is dangerous. Glass doors are the best option if you’re planning to replace your fireplace door. 

A glass door is the only way to safely exit a room with a wood fire instead of simply turning off the gas. This safety feature can be retrofitted to an existing fireplace with little effort. These doors are universally sized to suit the opening of any typical fireplace.

1. Mix in a Little Black & White Paint

Maintaining a minimal and contemporary aesthetic doesn’t have to be dull. The fireplace in a modern-looking living room can be made of ebony veneer and matte black granite, while you can paint the walls crisp white.

1. Work out that Brick!

The mortar in a fireplace might deteriorate after being subjected to high temperatures for an extended period of time. Bricks with gaps in the mortar are unsightly and more susceptible to destruction. 

Check the mortar in the firebox for damage before the wood-burning season begins. Set aside an hour or two to replace any that is damaged.

1. Upgrade to a Gas Fireplace

On a winter night, there’s nothing better than relaxing before a fire without worrying about keeping it going, cleaning up after it, or having the rest of the home uncomfortably cold. That’s exactly what modern gas fireplaces offer.

Burning red embers and tall orange-yellow flames swirl and flicker around ceramic-fiber logs fashioned from the actual thing that have replaced the old, unconvincing blue flames and unconvincing “logs” in modern fireplaces.

1. Set Up a Fireplace Insert

Fireplaces are beautiful to look at, but ineffective heat generators. This is because they allow as much as 8% of warm air from the furnace to escape up the chimney.

The good news is that simply installing an insert can convert your firebox into a highly effective space heater.

1. Pick Appropriate Tiles

While designer tile is a fantastic option for fireplaces, it isn’t always the best choice. The good news is that the techniques described by the experts online may be used for various masonry items, from refined white marble to rustic terra-cotta.

The sole need is that they can withstand high temperatures. So why not give it a try? 

1. Make a Mantel with Stone Veneer

Do you believe the actual stone must be used to evoke warm evenings before a crackling fire? Try again. 

The cast-stone veneer available now may be made to seem like anything from river rock to stacked stone. DIY-friendliness of the setup process is the icing on the cake for a product whose low cost already makes it hard to refuse.