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Deseret Morning
News, Friday, June 10, 2005
Plan now for a better
fireplace
By Ann Robinson, AIA,
and Annie Vernon, AIA
We know what you're thinking. It's the beginning of summer;
why are these architects writing about fireplaces? Well, besides
the fact that with this year's crazy weather you might actually
still be using your fireplace, we want to give you a heads-up.
If you want a renovated fireplace to warm and adorn your home
by Thanksgiving, the time to start planning is now.
The fireplace, above, did little to complement this 1940s home.
See
this project.
Renovation Design Group |
Fireplaces are the heart of a home. Some fireplaces are timeless
classics, while others are eyesores in need of renovation. To
know the difference, examine your fireplace closely, including
its architectural style, size and materials. Does your fireplace
add charm and interest, or does it leave something to be desired
as a suitable focal point for your home?
For example, if you have a modern-looking, yellow-brick fireplace
in your French Tudor-style home, your best bet would be to
modify the style, size, and materials to be more consistent
with a Tudor home.
To alter the appearance of your fireplace, you can replace
the materials of the face, hearth or mantel. Possible new
finishes include slate, tile, granite, concrete, mirror, metal
plates — anything non-combustible. Wood can only be
used for the mantel and trim pieces, and must be placed at
least 6 inches from the opening.
You can change the size and shape of your fireplace by framing
out the wall around it or by adding bookshelves on either
side of it. Smaller renovations include adding sconces, changing
or adding a mantel or reconfiguring the hearth. If you change
the hearth, remember that a fireplace with a typical opening
of 6 square feet or more requires a hearth that extends at
least 20 inches from the front of the opening and at least
12 inches beyond each side.
Besides the aesthetics of your fireplace, you also need to
consider its function. For example, do you want a gas or wood-burning
version? Adding a gas line and/or a gas log set will make
the fireplace cleaner and easier to use. Gas logs can be used
when the air quality outside is bad and wood burning is prohibited,
and they require a smaller flue than wood-burning units. On
the other hand, wood-burning fireplaces are becoming increasingly
rare and therefore valuable, and can still be used if gas
lines become damaged in an emergency.
Adding an oak mantel and framing sheetrock above the mantel to give
the illusion of a chimney turned it into a stunning focal
point. See
this project.
Renovation Design Group |
With either option you can add a prefabricated insert into an
existing firebox to make the fireplace more energy efficient.
Some of these units have fans that will blow the heat into the
room instead of letting it rise up the chimney.
If you want to add a completely new fireplace you can purchase
a factory-built unit. These do not require a traditional masonry
chimney but are vented through double-walled metal pipes.
Some units can be vented horizontally through a wall rather
than vertically through the roof. Today there are even units
that do not require a vent at all.
With summer upon us, it might be a little hard to think about
these things now, but come November, we promise you'll be
glad you did!
Architects
Ann Robinson, AIA, and Annie Vernon, AIA, welcome your design
questions at Ask@RenovationDesignGroup.com.
Robinson and Vernon are founding principals of Renovation
Design Group, a local architectural firm specializing in residential
remodeling design.
To register for "Designing a Remodel with Character &
Class," call 533-5331 or click
here for details.
© 2005 Deseret News
Publishing Company
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