Fireplace installation, while an understandably daunting task for many, is also fairly straightforward.
Style of the Room
First, identify the style of the room into which the fireplace will go. Your selection of a fireplace will largely hinge on this factor. Fireplace installation in Western Michigan often involves incorporating a fireplace in a home that blends contemporary and traditional styles.
Wood-burning Fireplace
Because of the flexibility with the amount of heat produced, fireplace installation in West Michigan frequently involves a wood-burning fireplace. For this, the fireplace needs to vent into a chimney. If a wood-burning insert is going to be used, venting pipe will need to be run up the chimney. This can be done using a pulling cone, which will have a loop at the end that a rope ties to. One end of the rope is then dropped down the chimney while the other is tied to the loop on the cone, which is attached to the venting pipe.
Gas Fireplace
Because of their versatility, many homeowners doing fireplace installation in West Michigan choose to use a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces come in two varieties: vent-free and direct vent. A direct vent fireplace needs a vent that extends out of the house. This can be done through an existing chimney, or a new vent can be built by extending the pipe through the wall. This can be done tastefully while still adhering to local building codes.
A vent-free fireplace is plug and play because it doesn’t require any external plumbing. The fireplace is simply connected to a natural gas or propane line. Because of air inside the line, it may take a few minutes for the gas to make its way up to the pilot, but once that’s accomplished, you’re good to go. All of the gas is combusted, and the only byproduct is harmless water vapor.
Electric Fireplace
Electric fireplaces are a good choice for fireplace installation in West Michigan due to the simplicity of installation. They can be either plugged into a wall socket or hardwired by an electrician. If you choose to plug it into an outlet, effort should be taken to try to conceal the wires as best as possible. They can often be set behind the face of the fireplace, and if that’s not an option, wire concealers can be obtained from your local home supply store.
Regardless of the type of fireplace you choose to install, be sure to follow all local building codes, and make safety your number one priority. Then you will be well on your way to adding a tasteful touch to your home. Visit the website for more information.
