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A beautiful and functional fireplace or stove can add lots of value to your home. The National Association of Home Builders notes that fireplaces are included among the top three features that new home buyers are looking for. So in addition to the added warmth and togetherness that a fireplace or stove can provide, installing or updating a unit means you’re also adding a selling point that may attract buyers should you choose to sell your home.
Factory-built fireplaces are by far the most popular choice for current homeowners who install a new fireplace in their home. According to the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, prefabricated fireplaces account for 75 percent of annual fireplace installations.
There’s a reason many homeowners choose these units: they’re safe, having gone through rigorous testing to pass industry safety and efficiency standards; a variety of affordable units are available; and they’re made in styles that can match just about any decor, whether you’re looking for a more traditional fireplace with brick facing, open on just one side, or a unit that’s more modern, open on four sides.
Whether you’re looking to add a new prefabricated fireplace, or to replace one that has come to the end of its safe and efficient service life, the CSIA-certified technicians at A-1 Chimney Specialist can help.
Traditionally, masonry chimneys and fireplaces were built with the home, with a concrete footing required to support the weight of all the brick and mortar. Today’s prefabricated units are much lighter, usually made of metal and glass (though factory-built masonry fireplaces do exist as well), with the fireplace and chimney both engineered and tested together, as one cohesive unit. This kind of construction means that their installation, function, and maintenance will differ from a traditional masonry fireplace and chimney.
Prefabricated units don’t require concrete footing, so homeowners’ installation options are broader. The amount of insulation built into these units also allows them to be placed in closer proximity to nearby combustible materials, further opening your placement options. The less costly materials used in building these units allows for many affordable fireplace options, too.
It’s still recommended that you have your prefabricated unit inspected and swept every year, to make sure the fireplace and chimney are working safely and efficiently to keep gases and combustible byproducts out of your living area. Properly installed, prefabricated fireplace units can be durable and long-lasting, but the safe and efficient lifespan of different units will vary. Talk to an A-1 Chimney Specialist technician to see which unit might be right for your home and family.
If you’re interested in adding a prefabricated fireplace to your home, or need to replace an old one, call A-1 Chimney Specialist today at 931.967.3595 to schedule an appointment online, and we’ll help you find the perfect unit at the right price.
Installing or replacing a deteriorating chimney cap may be the perfect solution for keeping unwanted critters, water and debris out of your chimney, so give us a call.