Many homeowners are fortunate to have a beautiful fireplace that adds class and ambiance to the room as well as serves as a classic and functional source of heat. However, if you are not so fortunate and your fireplace needs a facelift, don’t despair or grow to hate the eyesore in the room. The chimney professionals at Total Chimney Care in New Haven, Connecticut provide homeowners with fireplace facelift and design options to meet your style, the pros and cons of your maintenance preferences, as well as budget. You may want to consider revamping the functionality of the fireplace as well as the facade or both.
Fuel:
There are many products on the market today that can achieve impressive results within reasonable costs when it comes to all aspects of your fireplace. Do you want to stay with a wood burning fireplace or convert to gas or electric? Many homeowners would never consider switching to anything but wood and its unmistakable crackling and aroma. Wood burning fireplace aficionados will devote the time, money, and effort required to keep for upkeep.
However, once you decided you are looking for alternatives to a wood burning fireplace, there are many considerations to be evaluated. Deirdre Sullivan does a good job of presenting the pros and cons of each of the three alternatives to wood burning fireplaces in her blog for Houselogic. She presents a guideline for you regarding fireplaces with direct vent gas, an electric fireplace insert, and alcohol gel fireplaces that uses fake logs This is a good homework reference before you consult with your local fireplace professional.
Facade
Natural Stone:
Do you love the look of stone? That natural earthy rustic look that uses flat, rounded stones, boulders, or volcanic rock? Drawn to the classic elegance of marble? Stones and rocks come in a variety of sizes, textures, colors, and can be used for mantels as well as fireplace facades. Natural stone is expensive, hard to work with, heavy, and it is not always available in every community. While some homeowners with larger budgets may import stone and marble; for the average homeowner, that’s usually not the most affordable option.
Cultured Stone:
There is an alternative to achieving the look of natural stone without the disadvantages or expense. Cultured stone is a viable alternative to natural stone without sacrificing any of the beauty. Cultured stone comes in over 20 textures and colors that mimic natural stones. There are even choices which take liberties to add unique color and design options which are not so “natural” but still striking the right setting. When installed correctly, with expert masonry materials and techniques you will have gorgeous results that will make you smile every time you walk into the room.
Other fireplace facelift materials can include tile, brick, and even concrete.
Better Homes and Gardens gives you examples of before and after images to show you how effective a facelift can be.
The designers and professional masons at Total Chimney Care are experts in providing a facelift for your fireplace. Whether you want to change the heating method or just the façade or both at the same time, Total Chimney can help you. Click here for more information and considerations. If you live in the New Haven and Fairfield areas in Connecticut, we’d love to come out and provide a consultation in your home or business.