Philadelphia Stone Fireplaces

Very few things give a home the same rustic appeal as a fireplace. There's just something about sitting around an open flame on a cold winter day that feels relaxing and comforting. If you are building a new home or are thinking of installing a fireplace in an existing one, there are a number of options available to best suit your specific needs.

Brick vs. Stone Fireplaces
When it comes to performance, brick and stone fireplaces are pretty much the same. The real advantage of a stone fireplace, however, lies in the wide variety of looks and styles they are available in. Brick fireplaces, though they can come in many different sizes and shapes, offer very little variation aside from the color of the brick. The variety available for stone fireplaces allows the homeowner to find one that fits perfectly in just about any setting. They can be made from a range of different stones and can differ in how they are fashioned, as well.

Kinds of Stone Fireplaces
The three main types of stone fireplaces are cast, carved, and mortared. Mortared fireplaces are made of rough stone that is set in mortar, much like a series of large, irregularly shaped bricks. Their rustic appearance can be even further enhanced by using local stone that lends a look that is area specific. Carved stone fireplaces are one of the more expensive options. Generally made of limestone or marble (though sometimes found made of other stone), they are difficult to produce, but have an elegant and classical appearance. Cast stone fireplaces are formed in a mold; they are composed of a manmade limestone mixture and are generally less expensive.

Practical Heating with a Philadelphia Fireplace
Every fireplace, no matter what it is made of, will produce a certain amount of heat. However, unless you live in a one-room cabin of modest proportion, fireplaces, stone or brick, will not provide the amount of heat necessary to weather a PA winter. For this task, the furnace or boiler in your house is the best tool for the job.

Benefits of a Stone Fireplace in Philadelphia
While it's a near certainty that you won't be able to heat your home with a fireplace, you can make the room that the fireplace is in extra toasty and warm without turning up your thermostat. You can also roast marshmallows, a job that boilers have never been very good at.

Additionally, the appeal of a fireplace is a near universal one. Since most people like them, fireplaces tend to raise the value of the home they are in. After installing a stone fireplace, Philadelphia residents will not just benefit from the simple joys of sitting by it, but will enjoy an increase in market value for their property.

Prices of Stone Fireplaces in Philadelphia
To install a new stone fireplace, Philadelphia homeowners should expect a bill of about $4,000. Those looking to repair an existing fireplace will be looking at a figure somewhere around $2,000. Repairs generally last 2 or 3 days while installing a new fireplace might take a couple of weeks. If you already have a fireplace or are looking to get one, it's a good idea to have your chimney inspected regularly. A combination chimney cleaning and inspection will run around $300.