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Can you build your own fireplace?
If you’re not lucky enough to have a fireplace in your house, you can certainly have one installed—but first review the options. In fact, by some estimates, homeowners recoup 130 percent of the amount they invest to build a fireplace, with 78 percent of home buyers rating fireplaces as a desirable amenity.
How much does it cost to build your own fireplace?
The average cost to build a fireplace is $2,415 with most homeowners spending $1,050 to $3,780 depending on if it’s gas, wood-burning, or electric. A new fireplace unit costs $1,600 to $2,000 on average, while installation and finishing adds $2,100, or about 25% to 50% of total cost.
How is a fireplace constructed?
Masonry fireplaces are typically built on an exterior wall, and they are never attached directly to a home because their weight would overpower it. The firebox is also constructed with cement, and the inside is laid with materials that protect both the structure and your home (usually fire brick or a metal insert box).
How hard is it to build a fireplace?
Modern fireplaces – both wood-burning and gas-fueled – are much easier to install than building a traditional masonry unit. Fireplace inserts are even easier, because they’re pre-built from the factory and require only an opening to fit in to.
Can you add a fireplace to a house 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 a fireplace add value to a home?
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 wood-burning fireplace to a house?
If you want to add a wood-burning fireplace, you need space above to get a chimney through the roof. In two-story houses, choices for placing the fireplace might be more limited, but often you can find the 12- to 14-inch space the chimney requires by enclosing a corner of a room or a spare closet.
How thick should the footing be for a fireplace?
Footings for masonry fireplaces and their chimneys shall be constructed of reinforced concrete or solid masonry at least 12 inches (305 mm) thick and shall extend at least 6 inches (152 mm) beyond the face of the fireplace or foundation wall on all sides.
How deep should my fireplace be?
A typical 3-foot-wide fireplace opening should only be 29 inches tall. The firebox depth should be 16 inches (not including the thickness of the decorative brick that faces the fireplace). The distance from the floor of the fireplace to the bottom of the damper should be 37 inches.
Do chimney balloons work?
The plastic Chimney Balloons can be blown up manually and are inserted into the throat of the chimney. However, while they were easy to use, these widely-used inflatables don’t actually perform well in preventing air leaks and helping you maximise your home heating and cooling!Mar 26, 2019.
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.
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.
Do I need fire bricks in my fireplace?
The concept of a firebrick is extremely simple; it reflects heat back into the firebox while maintaining a degree of protection for the inner steel area of the firebox. It is therefore essential that you check your firebricks on a regular basis to ensure that they are not cracked or damaged in any way.
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.
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.
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.
Is gas or wood fireplace better for home value?
There are several polls to debate wood vs gas fireplace resale value. 54% of real estate agents surveyed by Angie’s List said a gas burning fireplace increase home values most. Conversely, 58% of homeowners and homebuyers surveyed prefer a wood burning fireplace.
How much does it cost to put in a fireplace insert?
How much does a fireplace insert cost? Most fireplace inserts and a professional installation cost about $2,000 to $4,000, depending on the state of your existing chimney and the model you select. Some electric models cost significantly less, but they offer less heat output than wood and gas fireplace inserts.
