Reasons to Upgrade Your Fireplace

Many homeowners rely on their fireplace as a primary or supplemental heat source for winter comfort, and most people think all fireplaces are the same. However, like anything else, fireplaces are built with varying quality and options. So, if you’ve been using the same fireplace that came with the home, here are a few good reasons to consider upgrading and some ideas to make your fireplace look and perform its best. Here are 11 reasons to upgrade your fireplace.

Increase Your Home’s Appeal

The fireplace is the focal point of whatever room it’s in, and it’s typically the first thing people notice when they come into the house. Upgrading your fireplace gives your room that “wow” factor many homeowners strive for, and it sets it apart from other homes in your neighborhood.

It Increases Your Home’s Value

If you think you may sell your home within the next few years, upgrading your fireplace is an excellent way to make it more attractive to potential buyers and get more money. As mentioned, the fireplace is often the centerpiece of the house, and it’s the first thing people notice. A well-built, beautiful fireplace can be the one thing that sells the house.

Add Zone Heating

Another reason to consider upgrading your fireplace is to add zone heating. Zone heating allows you to turn down the thermostat by providing an adequate secondary heat source that’s powerful enough to keep the room cozy. Zone heating helps keep energy bills low because you don’t have to run the furnace constantly to heat rooms you’re not using.

Increased Efficiency

Builders typically install what’s called a builder’s grade fireplace when constructing a new home. While a builder’s grade fireplace looks nice and is relatively inexpensive, they’re not efficient, and people use them more for decoration than for actual heating. Upgrading to a more efficient fireplace gives you more heating options and will make you want to use your fireplace more because it keeps more heat in the house where it belongs.

Upgrading to a more efficient fireplace also cuts down on heating expenses significantly. Less expensive fireplaces typically operate at 50% to 60% efficiency, while upgrading to a new insert can increase efficiency to 80% or 90%. The bottom line is that the money you save in energy costs will pay for the upgrade in a few years.

It’s Safer

One of the most common causes of home fires is heating equipment. If you have an old fireplace that hasn’t been properly maintained, you could be at risk of a fire. Upgrading makes using your fireplace safer by reducing the chance that embers and other combustible materials will spill out into the room.

Fireplace Upgrade Ideas

The great thing about upgrading your fireplace is that the options range from simple and inexpensive to elaborate where money is no object. Let’s look at a few ideas to give you some inspiration on getting the most beautiful and efficient fireplace according to your budget.

Glass Doors

Adding glass doors is an excellent, inexpensive upgrade that instantly makes your fireplace look more elegant and provides protection from embers. A professional fireplace service can easily retrofit your older fireplace with glass doors in a style that suits your taste and interior décor.

Shape Up Your Firebrick

Over time, the fireplace’s firebrick takes a beating, causing it to crack and the mortar joints to loosen, which makes it unsightly and dangerous. Replacing the mortar and damaged brickwork is another inexpensive way to give your fireplace a fresh look and keep your family safe.

Install a Mantel

What’s a fireplace without a mantel? Well, you’d be surprised how many fireplaces don’t have a proper mantel. Installing a mantel that complements your room adds visual appeal and allows you to display priceless photos, art, collectibles, or interesting knick-knacks where people will notice them.

Install a Fireplace Insert

As mentioned, older fireplaces are incredibly inefficient, with much of the heat disappearing up the chimney. Installing a fireplace insert transforms your fireplace into an efficient, powerful heating source, and they come in various styles to choose from.

Upgrade the Frame

Besides adding a mantel, you can also increase your fireplace’s visual appeal by upgrading the wall or frame that surrounds the fireplace. Many people choose to upgrade the mantel and the frame at once for a cohesive look, and you have many materials to choose from, including wood, stone, limestone, or marble.

About Fire N’ Stone

If you want to beautify your fireplace while making it safer and more efficient, our experts can make that happen. Our motto is, From Frame to Finish, We Do it All!”

Our technicians are fully trained, licensed, and certified, and we use only the highest quality products to complete every project, so you can trust the work we provide to last. We also do custom stonework, so you can make your fireplace the envy of the neighborhood.

And, once your fireplace is set and ready to go, you can always count on us for routine chimney cleaning, maintenance, and repair to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely.

Please visit our 3,400 square-foot showroom at 539 Laconia Rd., Tilton, NH, and see what we have to offer. Or, call us at 603-293-4040 to speak to a friendly and helpful staff member.