Do you want to install a fireplace in your home, but don’t know where to start or which one is right for you? In this article we introduce you to fireplace types, styles and options so you can choose the right one in just three steps.
Your perfect fireplace in 3 steps
Before choosing a fireplace for your home you should take into account several factors that we will tell you below.
1. Conditions for installing fireplaces in your home
Among the indispensable to install a fireplace in your home, is to know the conditions of where you live, differentiating if it is a house or an apartment.
Let’s say you live in an apartment and you want a gas fireplace. You have to have a connection to the building’s integral gas system, since you will need it as fuel. If you do not have this, it will not be possible to install this type of fireplace.
Whether in an apartment or in a house, with most models, you will also require a permit from the municipality. We recommend that you ask the building if they already have it or if you need to do any paperwork. For a house, these documents are easier to obtain because it is a single-family dwelling.
2. Characteristics and types of chimney
We show you the different types of fireplaces so that you can easily choose the best option.
Ideal types of fireplaces for floors
The apartments, being multi-family dwellings, must take into account some conditions that limit the possibilities of choice.
Electric fireplaces are an excellent option, since they only require a plug and electricity. The biggest advantage of this type of fireplaces is that they are completely safe. There is no smoke, no waste, no fuel, no maintenance, no cleaning, because the fire is not real. In addition, as they are connected to the network, we can use them in our home automation system and manage them from the cell phone.
Another option if you live in an apartment are bioethanol fireplaces, an ecological and excellent alternative because they do not need to be plugged in, take up little space and do not generate sparks or smoke. In this type of fireplace you just have to be careful not to place flammable substances nearby because they can ignite. They are an element often used for their decorative aspect when renovating the house.
Ideal fireplace types for the home
In a house the situation is different, as you have many more options to choose from.
Gas fireplaces require a specific installation and even a permit issued by the municipality. They are fireplaces that take up little space, do not generate smoke or waste and, in general, are very efficient. If we had to talk about their disadvantages, we could say that they are expensive and their installation requires a lot of technique and, therefore, specialized personnel.
Electric and bioethanol fireplaces are also perfect to be placed at home, as they are very easy to include and require only a plug.
Finally, you can also install the traditional wood-burning fireplace option, whose manufacturing regulations have been modified in 2022, being now much more efficient and safer.
Fireplace types; environmentally friendly options
If you are looking for a more sustainable winter fireplace option, consider bioethanol, electric or pellet alternatives.
Bioethanol fireplaces are among the most sustainable on the market, as they use biofuel derived from the fermentation of grains and the distillation of crops rich in starch and sugar. These fireplaces are autonomous and portable, because they do not cause emissions or waste. They also do not produce CO₂ or smoke, since they emit steam instead.
Electric fireplaces are available in portable and transportable models, so they do not require installation. Because they use electricity instead of real fire, they are quite safe. Also, they are clean because they do not generate ash or smoke. It’s like plugging in a television at home.
Finally, there are pellet fireplaces, which have become fashionable in restaurants and public places, as they can heat large areas. Pellets are very inexpensive and come from wood particles left over from wood manufacturing processes, making them a cost-effective option. The duration that a pellet fireplace can have to operate alone is approximately 30 hours, but keep in mind that it is advisable to make a small installation in the smoke outlet, remove the ashes and clean the front glass from time to time, depending on the use that will be given.
3. Types of chimney: for all budgets
We have seen different types of fireplaces depending on their functionality and possibility of installation, however, one of the variables that we consider important when choosing a fireplace is also the budget. Let’s see the different alternatives you can have according to the money you have available.
If your option so far are gas fireplaces, you should keep in mind that they need an installation for a budget ranging from 500 € to 4000 €, depending on the conditions of your home.
However, electric fireplaces can be found from 150 € to 700 €, more adapted to any type of budget.
Bioethanol fireplaces , on the other hand, depending on their size, can also range from 150 € to as much as 1000 € .
But, if you are traditional and prefer wood-burning fireplaces, their price can be between 300 € and 2000 €.
Why are fireplaces a good choice?
There are many advantages of installing a fireplace at home, not only from a climate point of view, but also from a remodeling and decorating point of view . Learn about some of the advantages of having a fireplace:
- Because it warms. If the corners of your home are usually cold, damp and dark, a fireplace, by distributing heat in your home, makes the atmosphere more intimate and cozy.
- Because extraordinary events take place in front of them. The fireplace becomes a meeting place for your family and guests. The ideal place to chat, share anecdotes about the day or relax during the weekend.
- Because they are ideal for storing small things. You can place some of your books, candles or flowers on the shelves of a fireplace depending on its design.
- Fireplaces have an inexplicable charm that will always capture you. For a few moments longer than expected, you will find yourself captive to their mesmerizing flames.
- In addition, since fireplaces are synonymous with quality, having one increases the value of your home.
Fireplaces have always been with us, whether classic or modern, open or closed, they are a space to share, improve your quality of life and revalue your home.
