Fireplace Safety

Aesthetics can mix safely with functioning fireplace

When renovating or installing a fireplace, homeowners should be aware of the many options they have and planning required for each type of option.

For example, it’s possible that your fireplace will be used in an air conditioned home in Scottsdale, Ariz. mainly for aesthetic purposes since it rarely gets cold enough in Scottsdale to require a blazing fire. Plus, the owners have envisioned the fireplace area as a place to place pictures of family and other treasured heirlooms. As the fire place is to be used primarily for aesthetic purposes, an enclosed or other kind of has supplied or fire log fed fireplace will do fine, even if it is not what people who live near ski resorts would think of as a “real fireplace.” A real fireplace used to warm the home brings the potential for real danger and each year in the U.S. thousands of homes are destroyed by careless fireplace fires or chimney fires.

So before planning a renovation, ask yourself how much of the purpose of the fireplace is decorative and how much functional. How many irreplaceable valuables do you want near the fireplace. Check your homeowners policy for any provisions against loss for accidental loss due to fireplace malfunction, and language regarding the effect of comparative negligence on the part of the homeowner if a fire causes loss of personal property.

If tackling an installation for the first time, make sure your project is up to code. Otherwise, failure to maintain a proper fireplace could impair your ability to recover under your policy should a fire result.

Also, determine right away whether you intend to be the installer of the project, or whether you would rather hire out to a contractor the choice of a system, i.e., wood burning, gas heating, or whether you have the skills to do the job yourself.

If this is your first experience with installation of an HVAC system of any kind, figure in the time and effort necessary to get up to speed, and whether you necessarily want your first such project to be the family fireplace. On the other hand, someone who is handy and used to working with systems around the home, whether they be electrical plumbing and the like, might find fireplace installation right up their alley. If you’re a DIY, check with the local authorities, including homeowner associations and city county licensing types to make sure you are installing something that is up to code so that you don’t run into problems later on.

To avoid chimney fires, keep the chimney swept at least once annually. In a wood burning fire place, creosote and soot can combine into a combustible coating that can be lit by a spark and a subsequent chimney fire. The upward air draft inside the chimney supplies oxygen to the fire, so chimney fires spread rapidly. 

That’s why an industrial strength fire extinguisher should part of every decor scheme. Fire extinguishers and other fireplace accessories can be found at toolhq.com.au.

In short, before undertaking an installation or renovation, think about whether you want the fireplace for heat warming or aesthetic purposes. Consider whether you want to do it yourself or contract out the job and make sure the installation is up to code, and covered in your homeowners insurance.

Knowing the answers to these questions in advance will mean a smoother installation and greater enjoyment from your fireplace system.

Jay Preston is Author and Brand Manager at ToolHQ, Australia's premiere source for power tools.

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Is your fireplace outdated and forgotten?

Is your fireplace outdated and forgotten? Do visitors overlook your fireplace instead of complimenting it? Do you want to change that?

If so, it may be the right time for fireplace remodeling. As figurative and literal sources of warmth, fireplaces remain the centerpiece of the living area. Therefore it is important that your fireplace is a pleasant place to spend time around.

Most people are reluctant to look into options for redoing a fireplace even though they know it will make a world of difference. They think of it must be a daunting, expensive, time-consuming ordeal. But it doesn’t have to be. Today there are many options for fireplace remodeling ranging from the complex (tearing out the existing brick and completely rebuilding) to the simple (using fireplace paint to lighten up and revitalize the outdated brick). This article explores several fireplace remodeling options to help you choose the right solution for your “problem” fireplace.

Starting From Scratch

One possibility for remodeling your fireplace is a complete rebuild. This means hiring a mason to disassemble the old fireplace and then install a new one. This is a big project that requires a lot of demolition—and the inevitable mess and hassle of having contractors in your house. The result is a fine new fireplace built to your specifications, but this it’s very costly—it is definitely going to run into the thousands of dollars. If you choose premium materials, design a custom fireplace, or build out an entire wall, the project could run into five figures.

Patching Things Up

Another option is repairing damaged brick, cracked mortar, or other fireplace issues without tearing everything out. These smaller changes are less serious and therefore cost less, but they still require a specialist. And while it is important to address structural problems or damage to your fireplace, it won’t necessarily improve the look of outdated brick.

Do It Yourself

If your fireplace problems are more cosmetic than structural, or if you are looking for a more economical alternative to a complete rebuild, you should consider a remodel option you can do yourself—not only will you save money (a lot of money) you will also get a great home improvement project to throw yourself into. By far the cheapest and simplest remodel is fireplace brick paint. The market’s newest fireplace paints very proficiently convert old and drab fireplaces into modern and lighter looking ones. These specially formulated brick paints are of such a high quality that it is nearly impossible to detect that paint, and not the natural brick, is what the eye beholds. The fireplace gains a fresh look, but the texture of original brick remains. Remodeling a fireplace with a brick paint kit saves you money and gives you the sense of satisfaction of a job well done. And you can do it yourself in a single weekend!

Bonus Tip: After you repair chips, cracks or other structural damage to your fireplace brick, you can cover up the repairs or mismatched bricks with fireplace brick paint.

Lighten Up

When picking out colors for fireplace paint or materials, don’t just choose something that matches the walls and floor. Consider the room as a whole. A lighter color for the fireplace makes your living area seem more spacious and complements natural daylight. Even after the sun sets, a light color maintains that sunny, pleasant feeling. Even in a room with no windows or limited natural light, lighter colors can dramatically increase the area’s brightness and  airiness.

The Centerpiece of the Room

Whichever option you choose, a high-quality remodel gives you a transformed room with a beautiful fireplace as the focal point.

Related Articles:

How to paint a brick fireplace

Update Your Room with Designer Themed Colors

Painting a Brick Fireplace