Miami Herald | Create a Mood with a Fireplace

Perhaps it is a primitive instinct: The dancing flames of a fire capture the imagination and draw people to their light and warmth. With winter’s cooler temperatures, and the holiday conjuring visions of roasting chestnuts, and indoor fireplace or an outdoor fire pit can be a welcome addition to a home.

David Zisman, and owner of Evening Delight, a fireplace store with locations in Miami and Davie, says there are good reasons why South Floridians might enjoy a fireplace. "We certainly don’t need them for heat, but on the other hand, people in the rest of the country don’t use them for heat either," he says. "Why do people buy a beautiful painting or a couch? It’s something that adds to your home and gives you pleasure."

Bruce Linthicum, an interior designer with Decorators Unlimited in Palm Beach Gardens, say he majority of his clients want fireplaces. "So many people who live here are from up north where they've had fireplaces in their homes, and they want them here, too," he adds. "A fireplace is a focal point for people to sit around and have conversation. Most people put them in the living room, but some also put them in master bedrooms and family rooms."

Zisman can go one better: "We've put fireplaces into kitchens and bathrooms," he says.

Homeowners who want the ambiance of a fire can choose from a variety of options. For outdoors, a simple metal bowl with a screen topper available at home improvement stores can cost as little as $100 to $200. More elaborate and expensive models are also available.

In the house, fireplace can be pain and spare or include elaborate surrounds and decorative mantels.

Mixing or Matching Styles

Indoors, a homeowner may want a fireplace to complement the rest of the décor. "A fireplace elevation can set the mood for the whole room," Linthicum says. "But you can also mix styles. Some homes have a very traditional fireplace and very contemporary furnishings. It can create contrast and positive tension."

Today's fireplaces come in a variety of shapes. "There are so many different designs out there now," Linthicum says.

A traditional firebox might be 42 inches wide by 30 inches high. "But I'm seeing contemporary ones that are four feet long and only 12 inches high," Linthicum says. "Others are high and narrow. Some open on both sides, I've even seen some encased on all four sides in glass."

While a fireplace is usually a focal point in a room, it may not be the only one. In a waterfront home, for example, an outdoor view may be a focal point during the day, while the fireplace takes over at night.

"You need to situate the furnishings so you can take the advantage of the different points," Linthicum says.

Figuring the Cost

While a fancy fireplace can be costly, a simpler model can be relatively inexpensive addition to a home. "But it adds a lot value," Zisman says. "If you have a fireplace, your home will sell faster and for more money."

Having a fireplace completely installed might start at about $10,000. But do-it-yourself may be able to save a sizable portion of that. "People usually have us cut the hole through the roof, because we're professional roofers," Zisman says.

That job can start at about $500. A prefabricate firebox can cost as little as $1,000. That would bring the basics for a vented fireplace to about $1,500, and a handy homeowner might be able to do the rest him- or herself. "Everything else is decorative," Zisman says. "You can use stone, brick, drywall—there are endless possibilities of how to finish a fireplace. That's what makes it fun."

A mantel can add style to a fireplace and also serve as a place to display photos or accessories. "There are several companies that sell mantels," Linthicum says. "It's easy to go into a catalog and pick something you want, whether it's wood, marble or cast stone. A lot of the marble ones are hand carved in Mexico. You can also have something custom made."

Gas, Wood or Electric

Homeowners can choose from wood, electric or gas fireplace models. The simplest and quickest to install is electric.

"You just take it home and take it out of the box, turn it on and you have a realistic illusion of a fire," Zisman says.

Traditionalists may want a wood-burning fireplace. But wood is South Florida is expensive and hard to find. (It is not impossible, however: a homeowner who has space to store wood during the curing process may find plentiful and inexpensive supplies by contacting a tree removal company, for example.)

Many people opt for gas fireplaces. "With gas, you just hit the button, the fire starts, and you have instant mood. It takes time to build the fire, and afterward, you have to wait for it to go out," Zisman said.

Gas logs typically cost between $500 and $1,000. They look realistic because molds for them are made using real wood logs.

"Gas and wood provide the same amount," Zisman says. "Gas is usually cheaper than wood, and you don't run out. Even if someone wants to burn wood, we recommend that they put in a gas line during construction so they don't have to tear up the wall if they decide they want it later."

Concerned that a gas fire won’t crackle or smell?

"There's a crackling device available and wood flavored incense," Zisman says.

Going Ventless

One newer option is ventless gas fireplaces. "They're the most popular thing going right now," Zisman says. "You don't have to cut a hole through the roof, and there's no piping or flashing."

A gas log for a ventless model will cost about the same as for a regular gas fireplace. A ventless firebox might start at $500 to $600.

"A ventless fireplace can be installed anywhere," Linthicum says. "I've even done a couple of them on yachts."

Are they safe? Zisman compare them to gas stoves. "They're designed to produces the minimum amount of carbon monoxide," he says.

Add Sparkle with Glass

Want something flashier than a plain old gas log? Consider a glass fire jam, which consists of bits of broken glass that catch the light of the flames. "They create sparkle, and you can have single or multiple colors," Zisman says.

Outdoor Fires

Those who don't want to bother with an indoor fireplace might opt for one outdoors. An outdoor fireplace can be built in on a loggia, or simply consist of a metal bowl that sits on the patio. Some fancier bowls have tables built around their perimeters so people sitting near them have a place to put glasses or plates.

Most fire bowls or pits are for burning wood. Some, however, do burn gas. "But they're not a popular," Zisman says. "They're more expensive that wood fire pits, and they're not a portable."