Here’s How To Choose The Right Type Of Fireplace For Your Home

Billings homeowners know that when the thermostat drops, it’s time to fire up their favorite part of their home: the fireplace.

Not only does your home’s fireplace act as an additional heat source, but it creates a warm, inviting, cozy ambiance that allows you to relax and enjoy your living space.

Whether you are looking to install a new fireplace in your h or replace an existing one in your new home, finding just the right fireplace for your home’s unique needs can be challenging.

With so many types of fireplaces, you may be at a loss as to which one will work best in your living room, bedroom, or outdoor living area.

Fortunately, the fireplace experts at R & T Services can help you find the best fireplace for any room in your home.

Let’s look at what types of fireplaces are available, what to look for, and how to ensure your new fireplace or fireplace insert matches the design of your home.

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What Are The Different Types Of Fireplaces?

Your ideal fireplace will depend mainly on what you envision as the perfect backdrop to quality time with your loved ones.

Do you yearn for a wood-burning fire’s fragrant aroma and crackling sounds?

Or do you prefer a low-maintenance flame that you can adjust with a touch of remote control?

If you are unsure about what types of fireplaces are available on the market, let’s look at the two main types and what you can expect from their performance.

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

Traditional wood fireplaces are the gold standard for making your home cozy and warm. They offer exceptional heat output. And is there anything quite like the smell of burning logs and the comforting sizzle and pop of a classic wood fire?

Traditionally made of brick or stone, they vent through a chimney and flue system to prevent carbon monoxide from entering your home.

However, this causes a lot of heat to escape up the chimney. Additionally, you’ll have to continue feeding a wood-burning fire. This means it’s not ideal if you’re looking for overnight heat. Additionally, they require regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure they do not harm your loved ones.

Traditional wood-burning fireplaces are a great option if you have access to a steady supply of wood and prefer a real flame. If you don’t have access to a gas line or prefer a traditional wood fire ambiance, then a wood-burning fireplace is the best choice.

Gas Fireplaces

If you want a real flame but dread the hassle of cleaning and maintaining a wood-burning fireplace, gas fireplaces offer a low-maintenance solution for homeowners.

Fueled by propane or natural gas, these fireplaces burn cleaner, so you won’t have to clean them as often.

That doesn’t mean any maintenance, though. It’s still essential to clean any creosote build-up from the glass doors and schedule an annual inspection to avoid hazards like carbon monoxide leaks.

Additionally, they are outfitted with glass doors and energy-efficient blowers that allow them to heat your living space quickly. They are optimal for zone heating setups and supplemental heat, so if you’re looking for a secondary heat source that will heat your entire home, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Direct vent gas fireplaces are wholly sealed units vent directly outside a chimney or pipe. They are an excellent option for homeowners concerned about hazardous fumes like carbon monoxide entering their homes.

You can put ventless gas fireplaces or gas log sets in any room in the house or even in your outdoor living space to add warmth and comfort wherever you need it most.

What Is A Fireplace Insert?

If you’re looking to update your existing gas fireplace without the hassle of a massive renovation, consider installing a wood-burning fireplace insert into your existing firebox.

Not only do they increase the energy efficiency of your existing fireplace, but they come in a variety of unique, eye-catching styles that will blend with your home’s current aesthetic. The best part is they fit right into your existing fireplace’s firebox. This means they can be installed within half a day.

Plus, you won’t have to worry about building codes or emissions because fireplace inserts do not need a chimney to vent the byproducts of the fire. This makes them an excellent choice for homeowners on a budget who don’t want to deal with an extensive home improvement project.

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What To Consider When Choosing The Best Fireplace For Your Home

Adding a new fireplace to your home is a great way to add value to your home and make any room in your home more inviting.

But with so many different factors to consider, it can easily get overwhelming to find the right fireplace.

Here’s what you need to consider before choosing your new fireplace setup.

Materials

When installing a new fireplace or fireplace insert, you must consider your existing decor and finishes. This will help tie the room together and make your fireplace a focal point.  Here are some examples of materials you can choose from for your new fireplace:

  • Brick/masonry
  • Stone
  • Stainless steel
  • Glass

If you choose materials that don’t blend well with your home, your fireplace just won’t mesh with the rest of the space. For instance, if your home has a traditional feel, a sleek, modern metal fireplace will not blend well.

Also, consider the type of accessories you want for your fireplace. For example, you can choose between realistic gas log sets or fire glass that will complement your space.

Fuel Type

Next, you’ll need to decide which fuel type will work best for your home.

You can opt for traditional wood-burning fireplaces if you have access to a steady wood supply and an area to store it in. Or you could choose a gas fireplace that is fueled by a natural gas line or propane tank.

Consider the space you plan to install your fireplace in. Gas fireplaces work well for small spaces, while wood-burning fireplaces require more clearance and ventilation options to be safe.

You’ll also need to consider how many BTUs you will need to heat your space properly. This amount will depend on your home’s structure and size. For reference, a wood fire typically emits 8,000 to 9,500 BTUs, while a gas fire can emit as much as 60,000 BTUs.

Fireplace opening

Some fireplaces have glass doors or built-in screens. Others have openings that allow you to view the flames with no obstructions.

The fireplace opening that’s best for your home will largely depend on your personal preferences and who lives there.

Some homeowners prefer glass doors because they add an extra layer of protection between pets or children and the flames.

Heating Needs

The right fireplace will help take the load off your primary source of heat and lower your heating bills when you need it the most.

While every homeowner in cooler climates already knows the importance of multiple heat sources, you’ll need to consider your current heating needs when choosing a new fireplace.

You can add a new fireplace to your master bedroom to add romance and warmth or to your office to help lower heating costs.

Once you know what fireplace features will meet the needs of your home, it’s time to consider the style. Here’s what you need to know about choosing the fireplace style of your dreams.

What Fireplace Styles Can I Choose From?

A fireplace is more than just another heat source. It’s a statement that acts as a focal point in your home and gives your guests a place to gather while making memories.

There are so many fireplace options on the market, so it’s a relief when you find the model that will help keep your home warm and emit the glowing ambiance you’re looking for.

Once you know what type of fireplace you want, it’s time for the fun part: choosing the unique style that will transform your fireplace from basic to brilliant.

Here are the top fireplace styles that you can choose from when buying a new fireplace.

Traditional fireplace

Made from bricks and topped with a mantel, traditional fireplaces are a staple for those with classic tastes. You can choose the ubiquitous red brick facade or opt for a lighter color to brighten your space.

When you choose a traditional fireplace, you know you’ll always have a place to display your family photos and hang holiday decorations as you make memories on those special occasions.

Traditional masonry fireplaces are made from stone and feature a brick or clay flue. Most homeowners who choose a masonry fireplace will line their chimneys with a liner made from metal.

Modern fireplace

A modern fireplace is characterized by sleek, clean lines and energy-efficient performance. They are made from stainless steel and have glass doors to contain the flames. They come in all different shapes and sizes, meaning they can complement a variety of unique styles.

Modern fireplaces don’t just act as a supplemental heat source but also can be an essential visual component to any modern living space.

For instance, modern fireplaces can offer two-way views of the flames to connect two rooms or be surrounded by casing that makes your fireplace double as an art installation.

You can even add a traditional touch to a modern fireplace by including stone, tile, or marble details to create more visual interest. This allows you to truly customer your modern fireplace to your home’s unique design aesthetic.

Free-standing fireplace

If you want to add a fireplace but don’t have an existing chimney, a free-standing fireplace or wood stove is a great way to add warmth and comfort to your home.

These fireplaces stand away from the wall and come in a variety of styles. They typically vent through a pipe that runs through your wall or ceiling or comes in ventless designs that don’t need to be connected to an exterior pipe.

You can choose from a pellet stove, which uses pounded wood pellets to give off heat, or a stand-alone glass gas fireplace that can break up a large living space.

Some free-standing fireplaces are constructed with a vintage flair, meaning you can elevate your eclectic space with a unique conversation piece. Others may give off a modern vibe with clean lines and luxurious finishes.

With so many fireplace styles available, it’s guaranteed that the right fireplace is out there. But you may want to see them in person before making up your mind.

R & T Services happily presents The Fireplace Center, our fully stocked showroom with over 50 functional fireplaces on display. You’ll be able to test drive all of our show models and decide what’s best for your home.

Have something specific in mind? You can use our Firebuilder App to design your ideal fireplace from the comfort of your own home. We also offer custom fireplace design services, so you can meet with one of our fireplace experts to design your new fireplace.

From concept to design to installation, R & T Services can deliver the fireplace of your dreams, making any room in your house instantly cozy and inviting.

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R & T Services Can Help You Find The Best Fireplace For Your Home

To make it through the cold winters of Billings, Montana, you need a high-quality fireplace to keep your home warm and cozy.

R&T Services has over thirty years of experience serving the residents of Billings and the surrounding areas. Our fireplace experts can visit your home and help you choose or design the right fireplace for your needs.

So whether you need a new fireplace or a service call for your existing one, the experts at R & T Services have your back.

Contact us today to get started on choosing the right fireplace for your home.