A Guide to Fireplaces for Older Homes

Fireplaces have long been a prominent feature in the living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms of older homes, and these unique features are highly sought after by homeowners today. However, there are a lot of factors that need to be considered before you install a fireplace, so here is a comprehensive guide to help you make the best decision for your home.

Think About Restoration

If your home already has a fireplace, you should firstly weigh up the benefits of restoration versus installing a new fireplace. Although restoration can be an excellent option if you take pride in the history of your home and want to replicate its past appearance, restoration can be a rather big project that can leave your house unfinished for a longer period of time than desired. What’s more, there is no reason to restore your fireplace in many cases due to the large selection of vintage-look and traditional fireplaces that are now on offer.

Consider the Original Features of Your Home

When you are installing your fireplace, it is important to consider how this fireplace suits the other original features of your home, such as the walls, rafters and chimneys. Not only do you need to find a good position for your new fireplace that suits the original structural elements of your home without disruption, but you also need to ensure that you are able to find a fireplace that works well with the style of the traditional features to ensure that it does not look out of place.

Find a Traditional Style of Fireplace

Now you can start looking for the perfect new fireplace! In many cases, you will be looking for a fireplace that can seamlessly blend in with your home’s atmosphere and period style. If this is the case, traditional reproduction fireplaces can help give your home a sense of elegance and sophistication, as the fireplace will look like something from a bygone era but still be functional and, indeed, brand new. This is especially important if you have been considering a restoration or if your house reflects a particular time period or way of living.

Combine the Old and New

However, just because you have chosen a traditional fireplace, that does not mean that you should not work to combine the old with the new. Although your fireplace’s façade can be chosen to reflect times past, there are many modern-day features of fireplaces that can make their upkeep easier, protect the environment and can even keep your house healthier. For instance, you should consider installing a gas or electric fire for ease of use or opting for a high efficiency glass fronted gas fire which will combine the traditional look of an open fire with the most convenience and great amount of heat staying in the room. In smoke controlled areas such as London burning logs in an open fire is not permitted but DEFRA approved wood burning stoves (or even better SIA approved for the new legislation coming into effect in 2022) offer an excellent alternative for those who believe you cannot beat a real wood burning fire.