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As most people do, we spend a great amount of time in our living rooms. That’s why we tend to make them as comfortable and pleasant as possible. There are many ways you can do this. You can add suitable furniture, have the floor made from warm-toned hardwood, add details such as flowers and art pieces, and install the right ambient lighting.
But one of the most effective ways to get this feeling out of the living room is by adding a fireplace.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are the number one choice for many homeowners. They’re most commonly fuelled by natural gas or liquid propane. The most important thing is to buy a high-quality gas fireplace from a reliable manufacturer. There isn’t one standard-sized fireplace to fit every living room. Instead, there are many options when it comes to both size and shape. Plus, you have fireplaces with different features to satisfy everyone’s needs.
Direct Vent Gas Fireplace
This is the most popular type out of all gas fireplaces. It’s very aesthetically pleasing, efficient in its heating, and you can easily install it in every home. It uses a two-wall vent system and has a glass front that is sealed. It works by bringing the combustion air through the outer wall and the exhaust works its way up from the inner vent wall. That way you won’t get any air loss from your home, and when you combine this with the circulating features, you get the perfect match to supplement your heating.
This fireplace comes in many styles and designs. You can choose from contemporary, traditional or modern options to complement your home. You have the chance to choose a vertical or a horizontal vent system or combine them both. Some of them even have battery backup which can be a great gas-saving solution. They come with a wall switch and have a remote with all of the features available.
Vent-Free Gas Fireplace
Vent-free fireplaces are a great option if you’re searching for the most optimal, high-efficiency heating. All of the produced heat stays inside the room because there’s no vent system to take it outside. But, there’s a catch. If you don’t size it accordingly you may get moisture inside the living room. So, think about the size and ask for advice and some help if you’re not sure what to do.
You can find many designs and styles available that allow you to choose fireplaces or fireboxes with log sets. With these fireplaces, you’ll have 99% heat efficiency and excellent zone heating. If by any chance you experience a power failure, there are battery backups that will continue the heating.
B-Vent Gas Fireplace
This gas fireplace is the most aesthetically appealing one and adds a special flare to the space it fills out. It’s the closest to the traditional open-fire wood fireplace. It’s always vertically vented and uses a type-B gas vent that goes through the roofline. You have many options when it comes to how much room air it uses and what glass front to get.
Wood Fireplaces
This is the most natural, cosy and visually pleasant option when it comes to indoor fireplaces. The way it looks, how it sounds and the cosy feeling it gives out all make the wood fireplace an irreplicable heat source. Your choice of the wood-burning fireplace should take into account not just your budget but also how you intend to use it, particularly if you intend to use it primarily as a source of heat or just for ambience.
Open-Hearth Fireplace
This type, also called masonry fireplace, is the first thing that comes to mind when people think about a fireplace. It’s very traditional and has been around for many, many years. The main materials it’s made of are stone and brick. The open hearth is there so any escaping embers won’t cause a fire in the house. A lot of them are decorative and often have a mantle made from wood, brick or stone. If you combine it with an ottoman or a stylish footstool, you’ll get an amazing chill, living room look.
These fireplaces can be a great focal point of the living room that will provide heat, fight and a woody aroma. Depending on the type of wood you’re using, this aroma can be dangerous because of the chemical. So, be careful about the choice of wood. it can be expensive to install because it requires a lot of labour. If you have small children or pets, this open-hearth fireplace may not be the best choice. You might want to install an indoor gas fireplace instead.
Prefabricated Fireplace
This type of fireplace is very similar to the open-hearth one. It has the same elements but it’s not installed on the spot. It’s made from metal and constructed in a factory. This makes it easier to install and less expensive. They have blower motors, insulation and double burn systems, which makes them more efficient. Plus, they emit 96% fewer particulates than the open-hearth type. One downside is that they don’t last very long. If you give it proper cleaning and maintenance, it’ll last 15, maybe 20 years at most.
Wood-Burning Inserts
If you don’t want to think about fires and how much particulate emission there is, you’re ready to buy a wood-burning insert. This is a firebox made from sealed steel or cast iron. It has glass doors which help you control the efficiency of the fire. This insert can be a great heat source because of the blowers that some of them have. They’re safer than the open-hearth ones because the embers won’t get on the wooden floor or the carpet.
Wood-Burning Stoves
This is one of the oldest heating options dating back to the 16th century. It’s safe compared to traditional fireplaces and can be placed anywhere in the living room. They’re a great choice if you have a larger space to heat up and the climate is colder than usual. Some people even use them as cooking surfaces. They reduce the amount of wood you need but should be maintained frequently.
Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces are probably the safest option on the market. They may not be as efficient as the rest of them but are a great heat addition. They have a remote that controls the heat and flame operation, touch screen panels and multicolour flames. Some of them have a thermostat, a timer, Bluetooth speakers and a wi-fi smart connect. There are several types of electric fireplaces you can choose from:
Wall-Mounted
This is a great option if you live in an apartment. It doesn’t require permanent installation and will hang on the wall just as a TV would. The installation process doesn’t require special skills and you can do it yourself if you follow the manual.
Built-In
This type doesn’t stick out of the wall and looks more finished. You can choose a framed and frameless design to complement your indoor design. They can be a great visual replacement for gas fireplaces. You could do the installation yourself, but it’s safer to hire a professional to do the job right.
3-Sided
These fireplaces look very modern and have multicoloured flames. You can see the fire from all three sides and enjoy every shade it has to offer. By selecting only one side to be exposed during installation, you can make them two-sided. The flames will still be deeper and more lifelike than on other electric fireplaces even if you completely recess them into the wall.
Freestanding
Media cabinets or standalone electric fireplaces can both be options for freestanding fireplaces. In fact, media cabinets are TV stands with electric fireplaces built in. Due to their mobility, being able to complete two tasks at once, capacity to preserve space, and ability to add additional heat, they are the ideal choice for apartments.
In Summary
We all deserve to relax and enjoy ourselves in our house after a hard day at work, and the living room is the place to do it. Besides all of the other details, fireplaces can really make the place special. The type of fireplace you choose depends on your personal preferences, maintenance time and how often you’ll use it. If it’s easier for you, make a list, compare the pros and cons, and make the right choice. After all, it’s called a living room for a reason.
