Stone Fireplace - Beauty and Warmth All In One
A stone fireplace adds a rustic, solid appeal to any room's decor. The fireplace has long been a centrepiece for many homes. It serves as a gathering point, a place where the family comes together and shares some good cheer, a warm drink, a good story. Whenever you add wood and make a fire, you have a place where you might sit for hours and just soak in the warmth. The fireplace is so ingrained in our culture, that almost each and every home has one and many paintings depict family gatherings around it.You may want to check out this blog post on rustic fans with light for more.
If you are not one of the lucky people who have a house with a fireplace, never fear because there are actually so many options out there. You have a million choices as to building materials and construction. If you get a contractor, be sure that they've experience and a good list of references and that they know how to deal with local codes and ordinances.
One of the first choices you are likely to create is what type of configuration you want. You may choose a free standing unit that is set away from the walls, or you might choose a unit that's built into the wall. Generally, free standing unit’s burn wood or coal and are made of cast iron and have an exhaust pipe which goes through the wall or ceiling to exhaust combustion fumes. The advantage of a free standing unit is the flexibility of moving it to another room or simply getting rid of it without any major demolition and modification to your home.
Most folks don't like the look of cast iron. Free standing units are now available in a massive variety of styles and colours and materials. You could possibly get a unit that looks like an audio video cabinet. The flames are cantered where a television would normally be and you are protected by glass doors and optionally a chain link barrier. The cabinet is finished in wood accents and even has storage for firewood under in an attractive alcove. The exhaust pipe is hidden by the top of the cabinet so it has a extremely neat appearance.
When you have a sizable home, you would in most cases opt for a stone fireplace built into the wall. You can also have it finished in brick or marble or granite, any variety of materials are suitable. Installation is much more involved than it'd be for a free standing unit, but it is well worth the hassle and cost as your family will enjoy it for years to come. When you have a talented stone mason, they can craft a wonderful fireplace and mantle. Some ideas include half-round tops, or the conventional rectangular opening. There is not a limit to what you can build. Just make sure that you look at plenty of pictures. You may get some great ideas such as marble accents, statues, granite tops, cooking inserts, ventilation fans, etc. You can also have a gas line installed and burn gas instead of firewood. This can come in handy on a cold day when you run out of wood.
