For a long time fireplaces were bricked up or covered by garishly painted sheets of plywood, but recently they have had a new lease of life as homeowners have rediscovered the value of a restored fireplace. Also architects have started incorporating modern fireplace designs in new build houses, and certain manufacturers have introduced traditional style fireplaces in modern materials. Even garden designers, never ones to miss out on a design feature, have provided outdoor fireplace designs that may also double up as a BBQ. So what are the plethora of decisions that should be considered when looking at fireplace designs?
First and foremost a decision must be made as to the heating source for your fireplace, although some designers see the fireplace and fireplace mantel as a platonic design feature, possibly using a fireplace screen or fireplace doors. Traditionally, fireplaces were either wood burning fireplaces or coal burning fireplaces, but in modern times people have moved away from the onerous tasks of laying and cleaning the fire. Nowadays fireplace tools and fireplace irons are invariably decorative features; although some people have rediscovered the joys of open log fires during those long cold winter days. Modern gas fireplaces and electric fireplaces use fireplace insert appliances of varying designs, some incorporating gas fireplace logs, or coal effect burners. The increasing popularity of wood pellet stoves has led manufacturers to provide wood burning fireplace inserts that can be modern in design. Also wood burning fireplaces can take the form of a traditional cast iron hearth with built-in back boilers to heat the whole house.
Fireplaces are usually made from stone or brick. Both stone fireplaces and brick fireplaces are usually enhanced by decorative fireplace mantels or mantelpieces. These can be made of stone to very ornate designs or cast-iron mantels enhanced by ceramic tiles of distinctive design. Adjoining the fireplace mantels are the supporting fireplace surrounds with similar distinct design work. In some cases it has become fashionable to decorate fireplaces with fireplace doors, fireplace screens, and fireplace accessories such as fireplace tools and decorative fireplace grates.
It is important when considering the use of a fireplace to check that the fireplace chimney or fireplace flue is clean and clear of obstructions such as bird's nests. Any blockage will mean that the fireplace will not function properly, leading to a build up of dangerous gases, especially important with gas fireplaces. A look in the local trade directory will furnish you with contact numbers of local chimney/flue cleaning companies.
For the best choice of fireplaces, be they electric fireplaces or gas fireplaces, gas fireplace inserts, wood fireplaces, outdoor fireplaces, fireplace inserts, fireplace mantels, fireplace surrounds, stone fireplaces or traditional cast-iron fireplaces the world wide web offers many sites allowing a fully informed design decision. Remember that the right choice of fireplace, fireplace insert, fireplace mantel and fireplace surround will enhance any room and add value to any room. Although antique fireplaces are widely available from salvage yards they have become more expensive with their popularity. In response manufacturers have produced excellent reproductions that come in kit form and utilise the best of modern materials.
