It’s A New Year Its Time For A New Fireplace

Make Plans Now for Next Year’s Spring Fireplace Renovation

Most people do not give any thought to renovating their fireplace until they are getting ready to use it for the winter. However, winter is really not the best time of year to make changes to the fireplace. It is, however, a great time to start planning for renovations that will take place during the upcoming spring months.

Getting fireplace renovations done in the offseason has many benefits. For one, contractors tend to be less busy during this time of year because the fireplace is the last thing most people are thinking about. This means that homeowners can enjoy more flexibility and may be able to get their work done more quickly than in the winter. Also, they do not miss any time enjoying the fireplace while it is out of commission. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you to help you craft your vision. Since renovations should not be done during the winter, it is a good idea to use this time to fully research the project. Most changes to the fireplace area are difficult to reverse, so it is important to be clear about exactly what the outcome will be. Look through magazines and pictures for inspiration and fully develop the idea before speaking with a professional.

 

 

Once there is a concept in place for the renovation, find a certified professional who is well qualified to do it.  Be sure that they understand the vision and have the appropriate experience to execute it. Always choose a professional who has experience with fireplaces rather than someone who has, for example, only painted traditional walls. This is the best way to make sure that the project comes out as it was intended and that it is safe.

Renovations to the fireplace should never be done as a do it yourself project. There are many complicated parts to a fireplace and it is easy for someone without experience to make a mistake. If the structure of the fireplace is compromised, it could become extremely dangerous to use it. The real problem is that someone without experience may not even realize the severity of their error until it is too late. A professional will get the job done well but, more importantly, they will do it safely.

Before having any renovations done to the fireplace, it is also a good idea to have it inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep.  An annual inspection by a certified chimney and fireplace technician should be done annually as part of regular maintenance, even without renovations. An inspector will be able to indicate whether or not there are any safety issues that need to be addressed before renovations can be completed.

You can check with the Chimney Safety Institute of America to verify whether a chimney sweep is duly certified. The spring is the perfect time to renovate the fireplace because contractors tend to be more flexible and the fireplace is not in use anyway. Be sure to plan the project carefully and find the right person to do the job. Before making any changes to the structure of the fireplace, have it inspected to make sure that it is starting out in good, working order.