Buying a new fireplace is an extremely individualized experience. Your fireplace should reflect your design sensibilities, your home’s personality, and your individual needs. The fireplace buying experience should reflect this, and provide a customized, individual experience.
Be sure to ask yourself these five questions before you talk to a fireplace contractor to ensure that you get the right fireplace for you.
Where Will You Set Up Your Gas Fireplace?
Many fireplace models come in different sizes. It’s important to know how much space you have before you buy anything, especially if you have an existing chimney or are adding a gas insert to an existing fireplace.
The interior design and colors in the room may also affect your fireplace design choice. You may prefer the appearance of a classic fireplace design in an older home and a modern design in a modern home. Or if you have an eclectic style, you may want to mix it up a little.
Which Gas Fireplace Will Provide the Right Amount of Heat?
Before you start looking at gas fireplace designs, you need to know how much heat output you need. That largely depends on how much space you are heating.
If you are heating a small space, you can choose a model with a lower BTU output. If you are heating a large, open-concept living space, you will need a model that produces more heat. Choosing the wrong heat output can result in too little heating, or the room being much too warm when the fireplace is on.
Measure the dimensions of the area you are heating, including the ceiling height, before you talk to a fireplace professional. A contractor can tell you which models will work best for heating your living room, as well as when it makes sense to choose a model with a fan.
What is the Right Venting System For Your Home?
Traditional B-Vent Fireplaces
A traditional B-vent gas fireplace requires a chimney. It draws combustion air from inside your home and exhausts combustion gases outdoors.
B-vent fireplaces comply with most local ordinances and regulations. However, they are one of the least efficient options since they lose a lot of heat via the chimney and use heated air from inside your home for combustion.
Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces
Direct vent fireplaces are considered a safe and efficient alternative to fireplaces with traditional brick chimneys. These fireplaces use a completely sealed venting system to bring outside air into the firebox and exhaust combustion gases outside your home.
Direct vent is often a preferred option because it maintains indoor air quality and protects your home’s efficiency. The Cities of Everett and Lake Stevens are considering making direct vent the only fireplace option in new structures.
Which Options Will You Use?
Gas fireplace models may give you plenty of options for your fireplace trim and controls. You may want to consider the exterior finish, interior design, accent lights, flame and log appearance options, and whether you want to include space for a TV or decorations above your fireplace.
Who is the Right Fireplace Contractor for the Job?
Like the rest of your home interior, a new fireplace says something about your style. If you don’t absolutely love the first fireplace design you find, it’s OK to keep looking until you find one you do. There are countless fireplace designs in the world, and the right one is out there for you somewhere! The right contractor will work with you to find the perfect design.
Fireplace Design to Completion
Most fireplace stores and contractors do not complete the entire fireplace project. Traditional stores will sell you a fireplace and maybe help with part of the installation process, but they generally do not manage the design, framing, gas piping, tile or stonework, or finish.
All of this work often involves coordinating multiple contractors, which can significantly add to the time and stress required for your project. Fortunately, there are a few fireplace sellers who will do more of this work for you. Regardless of where you buy your fireplace, make sure you know exactly what is and isn’t included in the price.
If you are looking for an all-in-one gas fireplace contractor in Western Washington, reach out to Four Day Fireplace. We have created the perfect team with all the expertise you need to take your project from design to finish in days, not weeks. Check out our gas fireplace selection today!
