Should You Add a Fireplace To Your Home?

Fireplaces are very popular – but are they practical? Fewer than 1% of US homes have a chimney, and most people only want to make home improvements that will add value to their home, so adding a fireplace can feel like a risky choice.

Well, the results are in…. and a fireplace is a great addition to your home! A fireplace can add value to your property, as well as providing an extra source of heat, but that isn’t all. A fireplace will add beauty and style to your home, and it also gives the family a place to gather and socialize. If you want to put a fireplace in your new home, here are two things that you should consider.

Adding a Fireplace To Your New Home

Building codes for real fireplaces

Before you get too excited about the idea of installing a fireplace in your home, you will need to check with your local county building codes to find out if you can add a fireplace to your home. Building codes can have a huge effect on installation rules and building costs, so there is a chance that you will have to alter your design so that it fits in with local building codes.

Alternative options

If you find out that you can’t build a fireplace in your home, don’t worry. Ethanol fireplaces are a great alternative to traditional fires, and they are much easier to install in your home. They also don’t need to meet any building regulations as they aren’t actually attached to the architecture of the house, and they don’t require a chimney.

Ethanol fires are also more environmentally friendly than normal fires, so they will appeal to the 60% of Americans who want to be more environmentally friendly. So if you want to live a greener lifestyle, an indoor bio-ethanol fireplace is a great choice, and the units are very easy to use as most have a remote or a start button. You can also use the remote to control the flames and the temperature, making it easier for you to create the perfect ambiance in your home.

A fireplace will add beauty, style and value to your home, but it is important to check building codes and regulations before you start building one. Many homes are not allowed to be altered, or the homeowner will need to pay fees to transform the home, so a bio-ethanol fireplace could be a better option.