Oakland Stone Fireplaces

When considering a home improvement project in Oakland, stone fireplaces are not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. However, just because the Bay Area has some of the most desirable year round temperatures in the country doesn?t mean that installing a stone fireplace in Oakland is not just as good a decision as it would be somewhere else. Far from being just a heat source, a fireplace is an aesthetic fixture and one that invites people to gather around it. Whether you?re entertaining guests or you simply want to relax on a chilly or rainy night, your fireplace will be there to make the experience even better.

Practical Oakland Stone Fireplaces
Though it?s unlikely that you?ll heat your whole home with a fireplace of any variety, there?s no nicer way to take a slight chill out of the air. Your fireplace will allow you to make the room it?s in a more comfortable place without having to turn on your furnace. Every member of the household will appreciate the slight break from the norm; making a fire is a great catalyst for family gatherings (kids love to be able to roast marshmallows in the living room)!

Oakland Stone Fireplaces vs. Brick Fireplaces
You?ll not find too much difference between a stone fireplace and a brick one when it comes to performance. However, stone fireplaces offer much more variety in appearance. Despite variations in dimensions and size, brick fireplaces tend to look very similar; even changes in the color of the brick you use will only offer a moderate amount of leeway. Stone fireplaces, on the other hand, can be either mortared or cut and can be made of enough different kinds of rock that most homeowners will find one that fits their scenario perfectly. Add to that variations in size, dimension, and design, and you?ve got thousands of options to choose from!

Installing a Stone Fireplace in Oakland
If you prefer the rustic appearance of a mortared stone fireplace, Oakland homeowners will likely have to hire a mason to build it onsite. This is not a simple process and requires the skill and expertise of an experienced hand; additionally, you may need to install some additional structural support to hold the weight (especially if it is being installed somewhere other than the ground floor). For cut stone fireplaces, Oakland homeowners will generally not witness the actual forming of the stone; often made of marble, cut stone fireplaces are generally delivered in several large pieces to be assembled onsite by your contractor.

Oakland Stone Fireplace Prices
According to the records ServiceMagic keeps for every job we process across the country, the national average price for installing a new fireplace is about $3,100. For Oakland residents, this price is probably a bit modest. Particularly if you are planning on installing a stone fireplace that will require adding more structural support or any major alteration of an existing room, you can expect a noticeably higher price for this task. Many of us don?t have several thousand dollars to spare on a new stone fireplace; Oakland homeowners who want many of the benefits of a custom fireplace at a lower price might consider installing a pre-fabricated unit. According to our figures, the national average cost for installing a pre-fabricated fireplace is under $1,000.