QA

Question: How To Add A Fireplace

Can you add a fireplace to an existing home?

Be assured that it is possible to add a fireplace to an existing home. Fireplaces generally fall into one of three categories: gas, masonry, and zero-clearance (also known as prefabricated or manufactured fireplaces).

How much does it cost to add a fireplace to your house?

Fireplace Cost Fireplace installation costs between $100 and $5,600 depending on the type. The cost to install a gas fireplace is $2,300 to $4,000, a traditional wood-burning fireplace runs $1,900 to $3,300, and an electric fireplace costs $100 to $2,200. Building a masonry fireplace costs $3,500 to $5,600.

Can you put a fireplace in a house that doesn’t have one?

You definitely can add a new fireplace to a home that has never had one.

Can you install a fireplace without a chimney?

Yes, it is possible to add a wood burning stove or a fireplace without an existing chimney, but you do need to install a chimney in the process. All wood burning fireplaces have to have a way to allow smoke and dangerous gases to exit your home.

Does adding a fireplace increase home value?

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent.

Can you add a fireplace to an interior wall?

It’s possible to install a wood-burning fireplace on an interior wall, but it’s usually not advised because wood-burning fireplaces need proper ventilation to draw outside air to feed the fire and get rid of the combustion exhaust.

What is the fireplace at home called?

The part of the fireplace that holds the fire is called a firebox or a firepit. There is a chimney or flue above the firebox that lets the smoke from the fire go outside. Until the early 1900s, most homes had one or more fireplaces as a source of heat for the residents of the house.

Where should a fireplace be placed in a room?

If you do not have central heating system consider placing your fireplace at the center, between your dining and living room. If your home has an open-space layout, this type of fireplace makes for an inviting location throughout the home and has the added bonus of keeping two spaces equally warm.

How much does it cost to build a brick fireplace and chimney?

Brick Fireplace Costs Item Cost Mason-built fireplace $2,500-$5,000 New chimney $600-$2,000 Gas log kit $800 Labor (8-16) $640-$1,280.

What kind of fireplace does not need a chimney?

5 Types of Chimney-Free Fireplaces: Electric Fireplaces. Water Vapor Fireplaces. Ethanol Fireplaces. Ventless Gas Fireplaces. Gel Fireplaces.

Are prefab fireplaces safe?

Prefab fireplaces are extensively factory-tested for safety. However, they must be installed correctly to be safe in your home. You must be sure that replacement parts are made for your specific fireplace, or risk a house fire. Some prefab fireplaces burn wood, some gas, some both.

What is a zero clearance fireplace insert?

Zero-clearance fireplaces are pre-manufactured fireplaces that can be installed almost directly against combustible materials like wood, walls, or panelling. The construction and materials of the firebox do not allow the outside temperatures of the firebox to affect those materials and do not require a hearth.

Can you use a fireplace without a damper?

Whether your fireplace is gas or wood-burning, if it was built with a pre-fabricated insert, then it almost certainly has a damper. And while older wood-burning fireplaces can function safely without a damper (gas fireplaces cannot), a chimney without a damper is just a gaping hole in the roof of your house.

Why do new houses not have chimneys?

Modern homes do not have enough draft in order to keep a wood fireplace lit. They will go out. This is because space heaters replaced fireplaces for energy efficiency, so new forms of insulation have replaced asbestos and fiberglass such as foam.

Are vent free fireplaces safe?

Are Ventless Gas Fireplaces Safe? Ventless gas fireplaces emit dangerous and noxious gasses into the room they are operating. Ventless fireplaces produce small amounts of nitrous dioxide and carbon monoxide which can be deadly in large doses.

Is having a fireplace worth it?

Having a fireplace won’t hurt your ability to sell your home. Don’t expect a fireplace to raise your home’s value, but don’t go through the expense and hassle of getting rid of it, either. If you’re an investor rehabbing a home to flip, it’s not worth the cost to add a fireplace to an existing construction.

What type of fireplace adds the most value?

Any type of fireplace will add more appeal and instant value to your house. Generally speaking, electric units will be your least cost option. Gas models next, followed by wood burning fireplaces. Both equipment and installation costs with gas and wood fireplaces are more than an electric model.

Which is better wood-burning or gas fireplace?

Wood-Burning Fireplace. In the battle for most efficient fireplace, gas fireplace efficiency is always going to win over wood fireplace efficiency. That’s because gas fireplaces burn more cleanly and produce fewer polluting emissions.