Fireplace Mega Deals

Stone fireplaces not only have a timeless appearance that can add both charm and elegance to any room but they are built from a material that is not only durable and lasting but also requires less maintenance. A well-built stone fireplace creates a classic and commanding presence that immediately draws attention making it the focal point of any room and in addition because stone is non-combustible, it is an unlikely fire hazard.

In spite of many different fashion fads over the years this type of fireplace has always retained a high degree of popularity; simply because when you add a beautiful stone fireplace to your home you immediately change both the appearance and the overall ambiance of a room.

Choosing an appropriate stone fireplace means picking the design that is right for your home. Whether it is a vintage or modern design try to imagine how the whole room will look once the fireplace is in situ and above all be honest with yourself about the space it is going to need.

There is no point in installing a magnificent and huge fireplace that then dwarfs the room, leaving very little actual living space. It is often a good idea to do some kind of rough mock-up of the room in question, adding comparative photos of fireplaces, from the web, to paint a clearer picture. With the right software this can easily be done on your computer and may well save you making an expensive mistake.

Do also bear in mind that once installed the stone is not easily changed so it is vital to select an ageless stone that you don’t grow tired of. This said you certainly can’t beat the permanence and illustrious looks of a stone fireplace which can appear as simply a box in your living room with a hanging mantel or with a mantel that has legs fastened on the wall. For large rooms with high ceilings, a stone mantel can stretch up to the top and can display old masterpieces or even a wide screen TV.

When building a stone fireplace it is as well to know that the stone you select is only going to be used to enhance the look of the fireplace, the inside of the fireplace is not going to be built out of stone. However the outside of the fireplace, including the hearth, can be built out of almost any kind of stone and if you live in an area where stone is readily available, you may want to consider using the type of stone that is common in your area; you could end up saving yourself a lot of money.

The stones you use need to be easy to clean and maintain. The more porous stones are not a good idea for the stone fireplace as they collect dust and debris from the room and the open fire of the fireplace. Selecting a smooth stone will cut down on a lot of maintenance and constant cleaning; also it is much easier to clean a smooth surface with a damp cloth. If you don’t fancy too much cleaning try adding a sealer to the surface of the stones to reduce the required maintenance and cleaning as well.

Stone materials vary enormously in composition. Whether you opt for limestone, granite, marble, cast stone, slate or a thin stone veneer you will find that each one has its own unique quality. Of all the stone materials, marble is probably the most expensive and difficult to maintain but if you’re after sumptuous elegant look in your living room, it can be the perfect choice. If you don’t want to spend huge amounts of money there is always the cheaper alternative of man-made marble.

Limestone can be equally captivating if you go for a neutral colour that can complement almost any interior design. Granite is also a good option because it needs very little maintenance. Another alternative are veneer stones which are in fact real stones but thinner and therefore easy to work with. They can give your fireplace the look of real stone but you will save money as they are much cheaper to buy. Don’t forget that most stone can also be combined with wood depending on your preference.

Building a fireplace these days should not require too much work or an outlandish budget. Unlike in times past, homeowners have far more choices now when it comes to creating their dream fireplace. With a huge variety of affordable materials and do-it-yourself kits available on the market, it’s relatively easy to build an old fashioned stone fireplace but do make sure that you have a strong ground floor which can support the weight of the structure. If you have any doubts, have a professional check it out; you may just need to reinforce the floor to support the weight of your new fireplace.