Ways to Renovate Your Fireplace

If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t give much thought to your fireplace once winter ends. Summer is the time for taking vacations, getting out of the house to enjoy the warm weather, and relaxing. However, summer is an excellent time to consider giving your fireplace a much-needed makeover before the next cold season rolls in. Let’s look at what you can do to make your fireplace all it can be and more while adding beauty and value to your home.

Add Glass Doors

One of the least expensive things you can do to make your fireplace more attractive and safer instantly is to add glass doors. Installing glass doors gives your fireplace a more elegant appearance and makes it safer by preventing embers from spilling into your living room if you leave the fire unattended. Retrofitting a fireplace with glass doors is easy and inexpensive. Ask your local fireplace professional for their recommendation and pick a style that suits your décor.

Tend to the Firebricks

Years of roaring fires take a toll on your fireplace’s mortar components like the firebricks. People who don’t keep up with maintenance and repair often find the mortar joints are cracking, causing the rock or brickwork to loosen. This isn’t just unattractive; it’s unsafe. Examine your fireplace closely for cracks in the mortar or other signs of damage and use the summer to get them back into shape before it’s time to use the fireplace again.

Add a Mantel

A fireplace mantel is nearly as important as the fireplace itself. Because the fireplace serves as a focal point of the room, whatever you keep on the mantel also becomes front and center. Many people put treasured family photos or sentimental keepsakes on the mantel to keep them in mind and as conversation pieces when having company over. Like glass doors, adding a sharp, attractive mantel is an inexpensive, easy-to-install upgrade that will instantly make your fireplace more beautiful.

Upgrade to Gas

Wood burning fireplaces have that old-world charm that people love, but let’s face it, they’re a hassle to operate. Not only must you tend the fire to keep it burning, but you have regular cleaning and maintenance to deal with, which is messy and time-consuming. If you want to enjoy that roaring, cozy fire during winter, but are sick of the challenges of traditional fireplaces, consider upgrading to gas. Today’s gas fireplaces are remarkably realistic, and many people can’t tell them apart from the real thing at first glance. However, the advantage of upgrading to a gas fireplace is that it requires far less maintenance and is easier to use. Many gas fireplaces allow you to start and stop them via your couch from a remote control, and best of all, they’re a safer option than wood.

Consider a Visual Makeover

If your fireplace seems drab, utilitarian, and dull, consider a visual makeover to add some pizazz to what’s typically the visual focal point of the room. Homeowners have nearly unlimited options at every price point to turn their fireplace into a showpiece — options such as sticker tiles, air stone, faux finishes, and more. Hop online and get some inspiration, then discuss them with your local fireplace professional and determine which works best for your tastes and budget.

Reframe

Reframing the fireplace allows you to entirely change the look of your existing fireplace without tearing it up. This requires building out a new dream over the old fireplace, and you can go as simple or complex as you desire, even building the frame up to the ceiling or staggering shelves to create a unique look. Like our previous tips, you can do this on virtually any budget.

At Fire N’ Stone, our name says it all. We offer complete fireplace, stove, chimney, and custom stonework services to homeowners throughout Tilton, NH. We have a beautiful, fully stocked showroom, and our expert technicians are fully licensed, certified, and insured. Whether it’s a complete fireplace makeover, chimney cleaning, inspection, custom stonework, or a new fireplace installation, you can count on us to complete the job to your 100% satisfaction. Please visit our 3,400 square foot showroom at 539 Laconia Rd., Tilton, NH, or call us at 603-293-4040 for more information.