Adding a Fireplace to a House: What You Must Know

There’s nothing quite as cozy on a cold winter night as a crackling fire in the fireplace. If your home didn’t originally come with a fireplace, you may have found yourself longing for the warmth and charm that one can add.

Installing a fireplace can seem like a major undertaking, but with the right planning and contractor, it may be more feasible than you think. In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of adding a fireplace to an existing home.

We’ll look at the different types of fireplaces, considerations for placement, steps for installation including permits and inspections, sourcing materials, and finally how to decorate around your new focal point. With some vision and effort, you can create a beautiful new fireplace that will become the heart of your home.

Let’s get started planning your perfect fireplace addition so you can get all the info on adding a fireplace to a house today!

Although most modern homes have thermostats in place so that you can keep warm in the freezing months, nothing beats the grandeur and the cozy feeling of a fireplace. Fireplaces provide warmth, comfort, and bring about an elegant look to any kind of house. 

But fireplaces can be tricky to buy and use on your own if you do not have enough experience with one. Don’t worry, if you’re overflowing with questions about fireplaces, you’ve made it to the right place for a handy guide! Read on to know what to know about fireplaces and hearths.

Fireplace Addition Costs

How much does it cost to add a fireplace and chimney to an existing home? It varies. Here are some factors that influence the cost of adding a fireplace and chimney to an existing home:

• Type of fireplace – Gas, wood-burning, or electric fireplaces have different installation requirements and costs. Gas fireplaces that vent through the wall can cost $2,000-$4,000. Wood-burning fireplaces with a full chimney can cost $5,000-$8,000.
• Chimney installation – Adding a new chimney through existing walls and roof can cost $8,000-$15,000 depending on home construction, chimney height, location, and local building codes.
• Existing vs. new construction – Adding a fireplace/chimney to new construction is typically less expensive than retrofitting an existing home.
• Labor costs – Installation costs for contractors or masons can range from $50-$150 per hour or more depending on project scope and location.
• Materials – Masonry chimneys use stone, brick or metal piping. Firebox, damper, chimney cap and other parts are extra. Total materials can be $2,000-$6,000 or more.
• Permits – Building permits for fireplaces and chimneys typically cost $200-$500 but can vary by location.

Overall, it’s reasonable to budget $5,000-$15,000 to add a basic fireplace and chimney to an existing average-sized suburban home. High-end custom fireplaces with stonework or special materials can cost over $20,000. Consulting an experienced local contractor is recommended to get an accurate estimate.

Fireplace Types

When you hear the word “fireplace,” the first thing that probably pops into your head is the burning of wood. Yes, traditionally, that was the only fuel used to light a fire in fireplaces. 

However, modern innovations have opened up a plethora of options now, especially in contemporary houses without chimneys. So, what are the most common types of fireplace fuel? Let’s have a look.

Electric Fireplaces

Electric fireplaces, as the name suggests, run on electricity. The fireplace needs no vent and can be installed anywhere. All you have to do is switch on the power or handle it with a remote. The coils in the fireplace begin to create a warm ambiance in your room. 

Most electric fireplaces are designed to look like real fireplaces, with fake flames and fake logs, so you would get the feeling of using a traditional fireplace. Electric fireplaces are best for apartments, townhouses, offices, and other small areas.

Gas Fireplaces

When it comes to affordable fuels for fireplaces, gas is right up at the top. Gas fireplaces are quite flexible, too, as they can be built into an existing wood-burning fireplace or can be a standalone new unit.

A vent may or may not be required depending on the fireplace model. Because of this feature, you can install a gas fireplace anywhere. All you need is a pipe that connects the fireplace to your gas source. As for the type of gas, you may choose between natural gas and propane.

Gel & Bioethanol

With a gel fireplace, you can light a real fire from a can of gel without the need to install vents, or pipes, or wiring. Hence, they are portable and handy. The flip side of using gel fireplaces is, however, that they do not provide enough warmth. Might be good as an additional fireplace just for the convenience. 

Similar to gel, bioethanol fireplaces are also rising in popularity because of their portability and ease of installation. This kind of fireplace also does not provide enough warmth, though, but can add a lot of charm to your room.

Wood & Pellet

If you are looking for old-world charm and authenticity, a wood-burning fireplace is still your go-to option. They are popular with those who want that rustic feeling, but of late they are growing out of favor with modern homeowners. 

The rising costs of wood and maintenance are among the reasons behind it. Installation is also a hassle and most modern homes are not equipped to handle it. Pellets are a cheaper alternative to wood that gives a similar ambiance but with lower emissions.

Smart Fireplaces

We live in a time where every appliance can be controlled over the cloud, so why not the fireplace, too? People want the ability to switch on the lights and turn on the TV while in the car on their way home with a simple tap on a cell phone app. Fireplace manufacturers have adapted.

You can now control your fireplace the same way you control other smart appliances. If you have a fireplace that is already controlled by a remote, you can install advanced cloud-based systems that provide that extra bit of flexibility to be able to operate your fireplace from outside the home.

Check out this voice-enabled Alexa fireplace. That is one smart fireplace!

Other options are the WiFire Remote for controlling the fireplace and stove and iFlame, a brand new smart fireplace system with an app.

Fireplace Mounting

As opposed to the common notion that a fireplace must be rooted to the ground with the chimney carrying the smoke upward, modern-day fireplaces offer a wide range of mounting options. Here are a few you may want to consider.

Wall-Mounted

Wall-mounted fireplaces are growing in popularity owing to their portability and attractive designs. They can be connected to a vent or be vent-free, depending on the type of fuel you use. 

Wall-mounting is a great option if you live in an apartment or a small house where space is a concern. These fireplaces can also be moved to another room if you wish to redecorate, unlike fixed wooden hearths.

Insert

Do you have a house that already has a wooden fireplace but is proving to be too high maintenance? No need to worry. You can now use that space to install an electric, gel, or gas fireplace simply by using a fireplace insert. 

These inserts utilize the existing space and allow your cost-effective, new fireplace to just slide into it. So, you still get the traditional look of the wooden hearth on the outside, while saving heavily on the total cost of ownership.

Stove

Stoves are not exactly fireplaces but can offer the same function. The advantage of setting up a wood-stove instead of a wood fireplace is that it takes up less space. 

It still requires wood to burn, so you may not be saving on the fuel cost. But for those who are determined to use a wood fireplace and yet want something portable, a wood-stove is a better option. On a side note, a wood-stove can also be used in a traditional hearth using a fireplace insert.

TV Stand

A common question that many new fireplace buyers have in their minds is whether it would be safe to place a TV on top of a fireplace and use it as a TV stand. Now, this, of course, is a modern dilemma because old homes with wooden hearths didn’t have a TV. But with contemporary fireplaces, you absolutely can! 

Certain entertainment centers have built-in fireplaces (mostly electric) on the bottom with space for a TV and your other gadgets such as speakers or home theater systems up top. What a great way to blend the old and the new!

What’s the Most Popular Type of Fireplace?

Despite all of the new designs of a fireplace, such as hanging, portable, ribbon, etc., it is still the standard setup that most people prefer. The traditional fireplace, grounded, with a vent and/or a chimney, makes people cozy and enhances the atmosphere of the room. 

When it comes to fireplace materials, stone-based is preferred due to its durability and traditional appearance. But as more designs and materials flood the market, diversity in people’s choices, especially apartment dwellers, is likely to be seen in the future.

Installation

So, how do you install a fireplace? Do you need professional help? Well, a lot of it depends on the type of fireplace you choose to buy. Traditional wood-burning fireplaces can take a long time and may even require remodeling of the house. These must be installed under professional guidance. 

Some other types of fireplaces, such as a free-standing or an electric fireplace that just requires an insert, may be done by yourself. A gas fireplace may need professional assistance if you don’t have the connection, otherwise, you can try installing it on your own.

Fireplace Maintenance

Setting up a fireplace may be a one-time thing but maintenance is forever. So, you must always consider the challenges of maintaining a fireplace before choosing what kind to purchase.

For example, wood-burning fireplaces are hard work. You have to take into account all the maintenance chores such as cleaning the chimney, removing ashes, chopping wood, and so on. The average cost to install a new chimney liner is $2,500! Be sure to consider these costs in your budget.

With gas fireplaces, you may need a regular inspection of the gas pipeline. But with electric fireplaces, both maintenance tasks and costs are low.

The Warmth of the Hearth

Building a fireplace inside the house, in many ways, makes it a home. A fireplace is not just a way to heat a room but is also a focal point where friends and family converge, share anecdotes, dreams, food, and fun. It provides warmth to not just the body but also the mind and the soul.

Decorating a fireplace mantel in the living room provides a great opportunity for showing of family photos and personal effects.

While everyone may want to have such a fireplace inside their home, the high cost of ownership and laborious maintenance of a traditional wood-burning fireplace often deters them from buying one. 

Thankfully, low-cost alternatives such as electric and gas are available in different attractive designs that are easier to install and maintain. So, now you can set up your fireplace of dreams without breaking the bank – or your back.