So, you’ve decided to upgrade your home’s coziness and aesthetics by purchasing a fireplace, awesome! But there is still one decision you haven’t figured out yet, how to choose between an inbuilt and freestanding fireplace.
Which one is best, you ask? Unknown to many, both gas and wood fireplaces come in freestanding and insert models. Thanks to various technological advancements, you can now have both functionality and charm to help make an objective décor statement in your room effortlessly.
This article will provide insight into both types of fireplaces to help you make an informed decision when you choose between an inbuilt and freestanding fireplace.
The Sleek Inbuilt Fireplace
When looking to choose between an inbuilt and freestanding fireplace, there are two reasons to choose an inbuilt fireplace: practicality and aesthetics. But what many miss is that inbuilt fireplaces can further be broken down into the ‘inserts’ and ‘fireplaces’ categories The inserts are ideal for current and newly built brick chimneys, while the latter is best for timber-framed structures.
Those with open brick chimneys can currently buy a fireplace insert to boost the efficacy of the existing open brick fireplace. A tidy solution is available with the wood and gas fireboxes enclosing the drafting chimney.
The wood stoves made in USA offer excellent insulation, and hence no heat is wasted in the process. Inbuilt fireplaces save on space since they can be installed right into your wall. You can consider building one when designing a new home with limited space or even an under-used room to increase its functionality and warmth.
Alternatively, new and renovated homes can incorporate a timber frame construction in their fireplaces. You can also promote a straightforward installation by eliminating the flue and venting through an external wall instead of fluing vertically, as in a conventional chimney scenario.
Many homeowners find the inbuilt model aesthetically appealing, which provides a sense of warmth with calmness. It also looks sleeker than its freestanding counterpart. The secret? It maintains the appearance of traditional fireplaces. These fireplaces also utilize fans in forcing the convection heat to travel in the room and home, making it heat the house efficiently.
Some companies add fans in their fireplaces, so they can be turned off entirely when the need arises.
The Flexible Freestanding Fireplace
When having to choose between an inbuilt and a freestanding fireplace, the most outstanding quality of a freestanding fireplace is its flexibility. A freestanding fireplace can be easily placed anywhere around your home. They’re also available in wood and gas choices to suit various needs.
Additionally, a freestanding fireplace doesn’t require walls or placement near surrounding walls during the building. As a result, it dramatically minimizes installation costs, which is ideal for budget-savvy owners. However, just because there’s freedom in choosing the placement area doesn’t mean it will provide the best value anywhere.
During the installation stage, achieving the best position is essential, as it affects the level of warmth that gets into the most used rooms. The thumbs rule is to place it in a shared or most centralized part of the home to heat several rooms successfully due to heat distribution.
If you opt for the freestanding wood model, you’ll need to ‘flue’ or ‘vent’ the fireplace upwards through your roof. It’s important to note that freestanding gas models can vent horizontally and vertically to offer a wide array of placement possibilities, particularly for double-story houses.
The freestanding fireplace, wood, and gas models included benefit any home with unmatched heating as the firebox is fully exposed. The fire’s vast surface area promotes radiation from all fireplace sides and involves radiant and convective heat. It is also effective in limiting the amount of heat loss, making it an excellent option.
Why Incorporate Expert Installation?
Once you choose between an inbuilt and freestanding fireplace, there are still some important considerations. After settling for the fireplace that suits your needs and circumstances, it’s time to consider the installation’s next crucial aspect. It can be cost-effective to pick a DIY video from the thousands available online, get the tools needed, and get your handyman skills to work. However, the quality of your installation is as important as the type of fireplace you choose.
The installation alone can make or break your heating goals. By involving a highly trained and experienced professional in your fireplace installation, you can rest assured that everything has been done correctly and meets the highest safety standards for use.
The correct operation starts with the proper installation. Additionally, it determines whether your insurance company will cover any future expenses resulting from fire incidents. In most cases, they will pay for the loss only if the installation is up to the relevant regulations. Various factors influence the fireplace installation, including the type of fireplace and the location where you intend to place it.
Conclusion
Choosing between an inbuilt or freestanding fireplace is essential based on your budget, circumstances, and needs. Sourcing your fireplace from a reliable company will guarantee quality, durability, and functionality. After making a choice, remember to also use the services of a licensed fireplace installer for optimum results.