Remodeling Your Wood-Burning Fireplace Or Stove

I am bored with my current fireplace or stove; do I have to buy a whole new one?

You certainly do not need to buy a whole new fireplace or wood stove to replace your old one simply for the sake of updating its look unless you absolutely want to. Obviously if there are more practical reasons for the replacement, such as a cracked or unsafe unit, then a complete replacement may be necessary, and certainly if you have the finances, and want to really go all-out in upgrading your current fireplace or wood stove, then there is no real reason you should not. However if there is no safety reason for the replacement, and/or if finances are an issue or you merely want to effect a little facelift, you do not need to buy a whole new fireplace or wood stove. There are a number of less expensive alternative options that can provide the same aesthetic overhaul without necessitating the purchase of an entirely new unit, and depending on the sort of new look you are after, one or more of these may be just the minor tweak needed to update that tired fireplace or stove.

What are some ways to remodel my current fireplace or stove?

There is quite a range of remodeling options open to you, depending on what degree of facelift you want to effect on your fireplace or woodstove. For fireplaces, you may want to consider updating your mantel by painting it a new color, sanding it down and re-staining it, or uninstalling it to be replaced with a new type of wood or stone. You may perhaps consider painting over or even changing the material of the stone or brick, as both can go a long way toward changing the look of your fireplace.

For woodstoves it can be a bit more difficult to slap on a coat of paint, although this is certainly not out of the realm of possibility; just remember to purchase paints that are specifically designed to adhere to such hot surfaces. Another, slightly more expensive way of updating the look of your woodstove is to change the tiles around it; consider a new color, pattern or material of tile. This can go a long way toward updating the look of your old woodstove.

How much will this remodeling cost?

The answer to this question varies widely depending on what degree of remodeling you have done and who you ask to perform the task for you. An elaborate and well-done remodel can cost a great deal of money but be more than worth it, aesthetically speaking. The materials used to remodel also affect the price; certainly some materials such as marble and more expensive types of wood will set you back more than cheaper alternatives, but more expensive materials can also better withstand the test of time, so take longevity into consideration as well as price.

Remember, if you don’t want to go all out for the full remodel, you could conceivably do something as simple as hanging a new painting or mirror over top of the fireplace mantel, or updating the decorations on the mantel itself. You might be surprised how a simple thing like that can change the look not jus of your fireplace, but of the whole room!

You can save money on remodeling by shopping around online. Look for the discounts to save you money. Various stores online compete against the other, so often you will find great deals at many of the online stores. Look for clearances and bargains to save additional cash.