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Fireplace |
Tips for Fireplaces
by Dawn West
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
The hearth is the traditional center of a home for good reason. Warmth and light are natural draws, and beyond that, fireplaces can be among the most distinctive and beautiful elements in a home.
If you already have a fireplace, changing your mantle, your hearth, or your fireplace face can dramatically change the style of a room. If you don't have a fireplace, putting one in adds a warm gathering place for your family and friends and also increases the value of your home. Whatever you're considering, here are a few tips to guide you through the decisions that go into updating or installing a fireplace.
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Tip #1 - Fireplace Surrounds
One of the most put-together and surprisingly economical options for improving the look of your fireplace is a fireplace surround. These complete fireplace mantle and face pieces surround the firebox at a safe distance (determined by local fire codes) and can be made of wood, tile, marble, etc. You can buy them whole from a number of sources, commission cabinet makers or stone masons to custom design one for you, or you can buy a do-it-yourself kit. For the more adventurous, do-it-yourself kits are the most economical option.
Tip #2 - Fireplace Efficiency
If you're putting in a fireplace, be sure to choose an efficient design. For open fireplaces, you'll be hard pressed to beat the Rumford design - a wide shallow firebox that draws outside air in through an intake underneath the firebox rather than drawing in air from the warm room.
If you're not putting in a new fireplace - but want to increase the efficiency of the one you already have - make sure your damper and firebox are in good order. Installing a fireback (cast iron plates that absorb heat and send it back out into the room) on the back wall of your firebox can improve efficiency without major renovation.
Tip #3 - Fireplace Mantles
If you're going for impact on the appearance of your fireplace, the mantle is a sure-fire bet. Wood or marble mantles have a traditional appeal, but alternative substances like concrete can make for surprising and beautiful looks.
About the Author
Dawn West is a Senior Columnist for Home Improvement Ideas
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