Shopping for a fireplace is an exciting time. This is your opportunity to completely transform your living space, setting up a source of radiant heat and drastically improving the resale value of your home in the process.
Unfortunately, many consumers never consult a fireplace buying guide. In fact, they don’t spend much time on their decision at all. Instead, they rush through the process and end up with a fireplace they don’t like – or one that’s not appropriate for their home or their personal needs.
So what are the biggest mistakes consumers make when shopping for a fireplace, and how can you avoid them?
Why Fireplace Shopping Matters
Why is shopping for a fireplace such a big deal? Aren’t all fireplaces serving the same purpose?
A few decades ago, that thought process would have been reasonable. But these days, there are simply too many options. There are many different types of fireplaces that burn different types of fuel, and countless customization options to improve the aesthetics of your chosen fireplace. Additionally, there are thousands of places where you can buy fireplaces, both in person and online.
With so many options to choose from, it’s easy to select a model that doesn’t work for your needs – and it’s even easier to end up with a bad deal.
Fireplace Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
These are some of the most common fireplace shopping mistakes to avoid:
1. Not knowing local laws or regulations. First, many consumers assume that it’s perfectly okay to install a fireplace. But this isn’t necessarily the case. In neighborhoods where the buildings are old or close together, it’s illegal to have a traditional wood burning fireplace. In other neighborhoods, there may be regulations that require you to adhere to certain measurements or installation requirements. Make sure you research all your local laws before making a final purchasing decision.
2. Choosing the wrong fuel type. Wood burning fireplaces are among the most popular, even today. But they aren’t the only type of fireplace available. If you’re interested in avoiding wood entirely, you could get an electric or a gas fireplace. Each of these types of fireplaces has advantages and disadvantages, so choosing the wrong fuel type can have a major impact on your life.
3. Going for looks over functionality. Your fireplace will probably be the centerpiece of your living room, so of course you’ll need to consider visual aesthetics. However, inexperienced consumers sometimes prioritize looks over functionality. They end up buying a very beautiful fireplace that doesn’t work well for their home. Functionality should always be your top priority.
4. Ignoring looks altogether. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should ignore looks. Consider the style and feel of your home carefully before making your fireplace purchasing decision. Many beautiful fireplaces might look out of place in your specific living room. Fortunately, there are lots of different styles and aesthetics to choose from, so you should have no trouble finding something that fits perfectly.
5. Only looking at one type of store. Going to a fireplace store in person can help acquaint you to the look and feel of different types of fireplaces. Shopping online can help you find a better price and a wider selection. It’s a good idea to shop at multiple types of stores before you make your purchase.
6. Comparing apples and oranges. It’s good to price compare different fireplaces, but you need to make sure you’re comparing them correctly. Compare apples to apples, noting the style and features of each item in your comparison.
7. Focusing too heavily on price. Everyone wants to score a good deal on a fireplace, and it’s smart to shop around for the best deal. But if price is your only priority or your highest priority, you’re going to end up limiting your options. Set a budget for yourself if you have an upper spending threshold, but understand that cheap fireplaces tend to have significant downsides.
8. Neglecting consumer reviews and ratings. Not all fireplaces or fireplace brands are equal. It’s hard to judge a fireplace based on how it looks in photos, too. If you want a fuller picture of how your fireplace is going to perform and how long it’s going to last, you have to make sure you look at customer ratings and reviews.
As you can see, most of these mistakes are relatively easy to avoid once you know they’re a threat. It doesn’t take much time to research the fireplace laws in your neighborhood, nor does it take much time to price compare two similar fireplaces at competing stores.
Armed with more information and more confidence in the fireplace buying process, you’ll be in a much better position to get the fireplace you’ve always wanted.Â
