Most people in America now have central heating. Does this mean that fireplaces are a thing of the past? If you don’t have a fireplace in your home, you might not be aware of the many benefits of having a fireplace.
1. Resale value.
Having a fireplace in your home adds value to your home when you put it up for sale on the market. It doesn’t matter whether it is a wood fireplace or gas; as long as you have a fireplace, it will still increase the value of your home, which is important if you ever want to move out. In today’s market, many people want the comfort and beauty of a fireplace in their new home. However, sometimes it is only one thing that can cause a couple to choose a different home, so you want to ensure that you have all the little things people look for in a home when putting your house up on the market.
2. You can use it as a backup heat source.
We mostly rely on electricity and modern utilities to care for us. But sometimes, unexpected events and weather storms can take away our modern conveniences. For example, without electricity, you can’t have central heating. But if you have a fireplace, you won’t have to worry about finding alternate heat sources if your light goes off during a storm because you already have a fireplace that can serve as backup heating when the electricity goes out.
Just keep in mind that fireplaces aren’t built for use as a consistent heat source. It could do damage to your flue and venting.
3. Makes a home more “homey.”
Everyone has a different definition of a cozy home. But when you think of the words “cozying up,” you can’t help but think of the words “next to a fire” right after them. Fires have always been a way for humans to feel more comfortable, and they still have the same effect on us even now that we don’t need them for survival.
Fireplaces aren’t just for the main room in a house, either. They can make a sitting room, family room or even a bedroom more comfortable. Nothing compares to curling up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or a nice glass of wine to relax while watching the flames dance. Kingsman and Marquis fireplaces have a beautiful real looking ember bed which can also make a gas fireplace much more enjoyable if you don’t have a wood fireplace.
4. It’s the only door Santa comes in.
How else will Santa get in if you don’t have a fireplace? But on a more serious note, having a fireplace is great for kids when you want them to put out a plate of homemade cookies and a glass of milk for Santa when they are still young. It is also good for holiday decoration because you can hang stockings or put a nativity on the mantelpiece.
Okay, I want a fireplace, now what?
Now that you see the value of having a fireplace in your home, here is some advice to keep when looking for a fireplace.
The best time to install a fireplace is during any add-ons, remodeling, or other construction you might be doing to your home. If you do it, all venting can be done before the room is finished for dry walling and painting.
However, if you are considering putting a gas insert into your existing masonry fireplace to do away with burning wood, that can be done at any time. To do this, a gas line must be run to it as well as an electrical outlet. In addition, gas log sets can be installed into an existing masonry fireplace for beauty and to provide additional or backup heat.
One final tip, we cannot particularly suggest putting vent-free fireplaces or log sets in new construction as fresh air is needed to avoid the smell of gas, especially potentially harmful propane gas.
