Can I add a fireplace to my home? This is a question that many people who don’t have fireplaces have wondered. Of course, the answer is yes. But, at what expense? Hiring a contractor and tearing out a wall and building a fire pit and vented chimney that is up to code may be expensive. Plus, in some areas you can only build gas burning fireplaces so the traditional wood burning fireplace may be out of the question even if you can afford to build it.
Fortunately there are some really great portable choices these days. The first and foremost is the electric fireplace. It looks just like a regular fireplace and you can choose a mantle to match your home and your decorating style. The cool thing about it is that you don’t need a venting system. All that is required to set up and run an electric fireplace is a space near a wall and an electrical outlet.
If you would prefer a built in option there are some cool modern inserts and built ins using the electric or fuel gel fireplace. You can always convert an existing wood burning fireplace to one of these options. You can also get kits where you can install theme in the wall. The wall units are usually a modern design such as stainless steel or clear glass. If you get one of these modern options you can also get an insert that has colored LED lights and a remote to customize the fire show to fit your mood. You can also get fuel gel cans that burn different colors. If you opt for the double sided glass option you can have fire in two rooms at once.
A nice thing about the electric and the fuel gel fireplaces that are available today are the different types of surrounds. If you want that classic look you can get an ornate white surround. If you just want a smooth walnut or cherry finish you can get that too. If you want to go more rustic you can get stone or thick logs. If you are into sleeker furniture you opt for stainless steel, black, or clear glass. It really is up to you.
I once saw a large LED fireplace that was really sleek and modern. It was stainless steel and built into the wall. It had a remote where you could change the color of the LED flames and control the intensity. It also had clear blue simulated river rock which made it look like it was blue crystal out of a fairy tale. There are crazy expensive custom options and also many affordable options that you can have up and running for two or three hundred dollars. You are only limited by your imagination and the time you put in finding the right equipment.
The most important thing is to find something that suits your tastes and budget. Once you are staring at the glowing fire embers you may not even notice the surround so don’t break the bank. Find an affordable option that suits your needs and enjoy spending time around it.
