Chicago Stone Fireplaces

While people all over the country can enjoy the sensation of sitting next to a classic, stone fireplace, in Chicago where the winters can seem to last forever, fireplaces are a particularly comfortable (as well as useful) addition to any home. Whether indoors or out, for heat or for pleasure, a Chicago stone fireplace is a great place to congregate and entertain guests or to relax by yourself. If you would like to add the comfort of a fireplace to your home, there are a few options available, and also a few things to consider before you begin your project.

Styles of Chicago Stone Fireplaces
There are several options for those thinking of installing a stone fireplace. Chicago residents looking for a very elegant and durable fireplace might consider a cut stone installation made of marble, granite, or limestone (a similar look can be achieved at a slightly lower price by installing a formed concrete fireplace). For a more rustic look, a brick or stone masonry fireplace will add style as well as warmth to a room. Homeowners can also opt to install a stone or masonry fireplace outdoors on the patio to enjoy fresh air (without forgoing heat) when entertaining winter guests.

Repairing a Stone Fireplace in Chicago
If you're lucky enough to already have a brick or stone fireplace, you already know the benefits and drawbacks of such a fixture. Unfortunately, many classic fireplaces have been neglected to the point that they either don't function at all or function too poorly to use with any regularity. The good news is that even the most misused fireplaces can be brought back up to par and become functional again (sometimes for a lot cheaper than you might think).

In some cases, damage to an existing fireplace is severe enough that it is necessary to remove, repair, or replace actual sections of the masonry. This is generally not a job that homeowners can tackle themselves, as masonry work is rather intensive and requires a great deal of knowledge that the average person simply doesn't possess. In Chicago, stone fireplace work of this magnitude can run as much as $3,000.

Prices of Chicago Stone Fireplace Installation
While you may be able to purchase and install a wood stove or pre-fabricated fireplace for less than $1,000, in Chicago stone fireplaces are (like any other masonry work) going to be significantly more expensive. Don't expect a bill of less than a few thousand dollars. The trade off for the higher cost, however, is that your masonry fireplace will look great, perform well, and be a beautiful, functional fixture in your home for generations to come!

Chicago Stone Fireplace Cleaning
Fireplace cleaning is an important, though often neglected task. Households that use their fireplaces often over the winter months should be particularly attentive to how clean it is not just for appearances or function, but for safety reasons, as well. Though the idea of using a fireplace to heat you home is in most cases far outdated, even using a fireplace a few times a year can cause creosote (a black, gummy residue left in chimneys after burning wood) to build up.

Creosote build-up should be a concern as it is flammable and, under the right conditions, can ignite and cause a chimney fire. For most households, an annual chimney cleaning will be enough to greatly reduce the risk of a chimney fire, but if you use your fireplace frequently (even if only during the winter), you may want to have your fireplace and chimney cleaned more than once a year. Chicago chimney and fireplace cleaning generally runs somewhere in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars, though we've seen costs go as low as $150 and as high as $1,100! With a difference like this, it is a good idea to get several estimates from a few different companies before you decide who to hire.