Many homes have fireplaces in the master bedroom, and it is easy to see why. A fireplace is a great way to keep your bedroom warm and cozy without cranking up the heat in your entire home. A backdrop of flickering flames can also add a romantic twist to an otherwise uneventful evening at home.
If your home does not have a bedroom fireplace, you might be looking to add one during your next remodeling project. Many couples love the idea of curling up in front of a fireplace while they are watching tv or reading in bed. We totally understand why you would want to have a fireplace in your bedroom, but what do you need to know before choosing the perfect fireplace for your master bedroom? We’ve compiled this list of considerations that you should keep in mind if you are planning to add a brand new bedroom fireplace or upgrade your room’s current fireplace.
Will your fireplace be used as a primary source of heat? Or as a decorative feature?
If your fireplace will be used as a primary source of heat, it needs to be two things. Easy to use and affordable to maintain. If you will only be using your fireplace occasionally, it is safe to go with one of the cheaper models, but if your fireplace will see near daily use, you will want to make sure that it is built to last.
Wood fireplaces can sometimes provide a more enjoyable experience, but gas and electric fireplaces are definitely more low maintenance and user friendly. Think carefully about your plans for this fireplace before you jump into a purchase.
Are you interested in a gas, electric, or wood burning fireplace?
Wood burning fireplaces are a bit more complicated to install, but they have the added benefit of appealing to purists. One key difference between gas, electric, and wood burning fireplaces is that with a wood burning fireplace, you also need to have a functionally chimney. This means that you fireplace will have to be located along one of your home’s exterior walls. This can complicate the installation, but it is not an insurmountable hurdle.
Wood burning fireplaces appeal to those that are looking for the all natural fireplace scent or those that enjoy the whole fireplace process, from chopping and gathering wood to placing your kindling and lighting your fire. Once you are finished, you will need to scrape out the ashes and clean up the fireplace. While this can be an enjoyable process, keep in mind that this requires a lot more upkeep and ongoing maintenance that a gas or electric option.
If you are committed to a wood burning fireplace, you will want to carefully consider your building materials. People with wood burning fireplaces typically choose brick, marble, limestone, or slate. These are great choices because, unlike some other building materials, they will not show smoke stains. Brick is the most affordable option and thus the most common, particularly for fireplaces that will see near daily use in the wintertime.
Gas and electric fireplaces are the most common choices for modern day homeowners. People with busy lives usually do not want to spend hours working on their fireplace. They want to switch it on and enjoy the roaring flames. In addition to being easier to use on a daily basis, the installation of a gas or electric fireplace is also more straightforward. You can buy sleek, ready to go gas or electric fireplaces. Simply install them in your bedroom – or anywhere in your home – and you will be ready to enjoy a crackling fireplace.
Electric fireplaces look the least like a wood burning fireplace, but they are the easiest to install and can be placed anywhere in your home. Since there is nothing truly burning, they do not require any type of vents. This makes them the ideal choice if you are hoping to place your fireplace in the center of the room, allowing the fireplace to be open on two sides.
One drawback of electric fireplaces is that they produce less heat than their gas or wood burning counterparts. This can be an issue if your fireplace will be your primary heat source, but it is less of a problem if you are only using your bedroom fireplace to add to the room’s ambience.
Gas fireplaces, on the other hand, are usually vented through a PVC pipe in your wall. This means that your fireplace will need to be located on a wall, but not necessarily an exterior wall. This makes them more versatile than a wood burning fireplace, but not at versatile as an electric fireplace.
Finding the Right Fireplace
With a gas burning fireplace, you still get real flames that can produce a fair amount of heat. Because of this, gas fireplaces are the top choice for many families looking to add a fireplace to their bedroom. If you are looking for a gas, electric, or wood burning fireplace, contact our team at Armand’s Discount and learn how you can make this dream a reality.