Fireplace Renovation

Are you planning upon a remodel that includes a fireplace? Below we’ll outline the questions you’ll need to ask and the steps you’ll need to take to ensure that your renovation flows smoothly and that you’ll have a beautiful fireplace to enjoy when your reno is complete.

What type of fireplace do you want? The three most common fuel types that you’ll find on the market today are wood burning, gas burning, and electric fireplaces. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks. Wood burning fireplaces offer all the tradition and comfort of a real fire and are the best solution if you are looking for a primary or supplemental heat source for your home. Nothing beats the crackle and smell of a real wood fire! Wood burning fireplaces do come at a cost however and are typically your most expensive fireplace option. As well as being costly, wood burning fireplaces are more labour intensive than either a gas burning or electric unit. There is a necessity to split and store fuel wood. The fireplace needs to be cleaned on a regular basis as does the chimney to ensure that creosote does not build up. There are a number of options available for wood burning fireplaces that include different door and facing configurations, blower configurations, and efficiency choices. Wood burning fireplaces are either listed as high efficiency, mid efficiency, and low efficiency. High efficiency units typically are meant to be burnt with the door closed and sealed. They have very low emissions which means that most of the fuel particulates are burnt and converted to flue gases. Mid efficiency fireplaces are designed more for the consumer that wants to enjoy viewing a larger fire and still maintain some of the efficiency features that wood burning offers. Typically, they can be burnt with the door open or closed and have a much larger firebox. Low efficiency units typically do not have a door that seals when the unit is burning and are strictly meant as an aesthetic addition to your home. While they do provide heat, most of the heat produced escapes up your chimney. This does however allow for a huge firebox and a great viewing area.

Gas burning fireplaces are typically available with either natural gas or liquid propane as their fuel source. The beauty of a gas fireplace is that there is virtually no maintenance required once your installation is complete. With the flick of a switch or the push of a button you can enjoy a beautiful fire. Gas fireplaces offer a huge variety of different facing, lighting, and control options. The design possibilities are endless. Possible drawbacks may be the availability of natural gas or propane in your area as well as limitations to the heat the unit provides.

Similarly, electric fireplaces offer ease of installation, ease of use, and a variety of design options. But also like gas fireplaces, electric fireplaces do not provide a real wood burning fire.

Another question that needs to be asked is where in your home do you want to position your fireplace? The best placement is near an outside wall with ample room for framing of a chimney chase to house the unit and venting components. For installation in Canada, the chase would need to be insulated, vapour barriered, and drywalled in order to meet building code requirements. Each fireplace comes with an installation manual that details the framing and installation requirements. Typically, a fireplace installer would require that the chase be framed and prepped prior to the installation of the fireplace.

Once installed, you have a wide variety of options to choose from for the finishing of your fireplace. Whether you clad the wall with tile, manufactured or real stone, brick, or drywall, your fireplace can become a unique focal point of your home for years to come.

For more information about fireplace sales and installations in the Winnipeg, Manitoba area, call Flame & Comfort Fireplace & Sofa Gallery at (204)943-5263 or visit our showroom at 318 Logan Avenue, Winnipeg, MB or email the author dwayne@flameandcomfort.com

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