If you are working with a contractor to build a new house, there are a lot of things that you need to consider. Adding a fireplace to your home is one of those things that should be part of the initial planning and construction of the home to make the installation process more manageable.
Plan For The Fireplace
It is best to ask the architect that is designing your home to add a wood-burning fireplace to the design as early in the process as possible. Once the construction starts on the house, adding something like a fireplace can change the home's structural components and delay the build.
When you decide you would like a functional fireplace in your home, the architect will need to specify some materials and construction methods for the fireplace area. The contractor building your home will need to have a mason or fireplace installation service construct the fireplace in the house. The timing of specific things like wiring and plumbing is critical, and adding fireplace construction to the list can change the schedule, so it is essential that it is part of the initial plan if at all possible.
Fireplace Construction
A mason will build the fireplace and chimney in the home, and often the walls around that area need to be left open until the brickwork is inspected and approved. If the fireplace design uses a traditional flue and firebox, the mason needs to install those components, along with a ceramic liner that will run from the flue to the top of the chimney.
The bricks and tiles used in the fireplace must be rated for that application, so they do not crack when they get hot but continue to look good even after the fireplace has been used a few times. The wood-burning fireplace installation will last for many years if it is done right and should perform well when it is in use.
Free Standing Fireplaces
There are options if you decide you want a fireplace late in the build, and your contractor may call a fireplace installation service in to work on that part of the building. If the building is already close to completion, a free-standing wood-burning fireplace installation may be something you need to consider. While that may not have been your preference, you may find that it works for you after looking at optional units.
The difference is that these systems use a metal chimney and can be set into a wall. It will often look more like a wood stove, but some designs can mimic a fireplace in some ways. If you are considering a free-standing unit, visiting a fireplace shop is an excellent place to start.
For more information, contact a company like Southwest Brick & Fireplace.
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