Nothing can match the incredible feeling of comfort you get when you sit in front of a fireplace on a cold winter evening and enjoy reading a good book or talking to your loved ones with the crackling of flames in the background. The ability to bring this scene to reality is reason enough to add a fireplace to your home.

However, if you decide to do just that, you will need to consider a few things before committing. This kind of home improvement isn’t simple, so you have to understand all the pros and cons involved.

4 Considerations to Make Before Adding a Fireplace to Your Home

  • Anyone can add a fireplace, but you need to choose the right kind

There are so many types of fireplaces available today that everyone can install one in their home, regardless of what kind of home you have. However, Matty Byloos of Homes.com, cautions homeowners about the necessity of checking the building codes and regulations in your area first. They might restrict the kind of works that can be done to your building, thus limiting your options.

But the good news is that there is sure to be at least a couple of fireplace types left for you to choose from with any building codes. Therefore, the most important thing to do is to pick the right fireplace for you. To do this, consider the aforementioned legal requirements first and the fuel second.

A fireplace should not only offer a sense of comfort but to literally make your home more comfortable by making it warm. Choose wisely, and it will help you cut the huge heating bill that’s looming in your future according to predictions. Pick the type of fuel that you have the easiest access to.

  • You’ll need to pay extra to make your fireplace safe

Regardless of whether you have children or pets now, you might get them in the future. Therefore, it’s a necessity to make your fireplace as safe as you can. Sam Bridges, an experienced masonry contractor in Chicago, says it’s essential to not only use a screen, thus protecting the fireplace from the inside but to also install a cap into the chimney to prevent anything from getting inside the house.

And don’t forget to run regular safety checks too. Many a person suffered, and some even died in accidents caused by a blocked chimney that resulted in a carbon dioxide poisoning. You’ll need to consider this kind of regular maintenance when working on a budget for this project. As these are necessary costs, you’ll need to think hard if you can afford to maintain a fireplace in the future.

  • If you want to use the fireplace for heating, you’ll need tech

If the main purpose of adding a fireplace to your home is saving money on heating costs, you’ll need to use modern tech to increase the heating efficiency of this addition. The things you’ll require are a thermostat and a self-modulated fireplace. Those are essential if you want to use this item as a full-time heating fixture.

Another thing to consider is a fan that will provide more efficient air circulation in the room. Without it, a fireplace won’t be able to heat up a big room fast.

  • A fireplace is an investment in your future

Adding a fireplace to your home does not only make it cozier for you. This also increases its value should you ever decide to sell it. According to a John Louis’ article for SFGate, the price of your home can go up from the average $1,220 to $12,000.

Home buyers of today are open in their desire to have a fireplace at home, so if you plan on selling, this is one of the options you can use to boost money fast. However, don’t forget that the fireplace itself will require some expensive work first.