• Do you already have a fireplace in your home or are you adding a new one?
• Are you interested in gas, wood, pellet or electric fuel?
• What style would you like to reflect your home’s decor – contemporary, traditional, both?
• Are you going to want a mantel or facade around your fire feature?

Even though the ambiance of a wood burning fireplace has attracted homeowners for years, recent innovations and environmental concerns have impacted the selection process for the homeowner and the hearth retailer. One of the first questions a hearth retailer will ask a homeowner is “do you want your hearth product to produce heat or are you only seeking the fire’s ambiance?”

The positioning of the fire feature in a room and the size of the room also needs to be considered when choosing the type (fireplace, fireplace insert, stove, wall-mount) and style (traditional versus contemporary) of a fire feature. About 75% of homeowners want a fireplace in a living room with a television above it. However, if the fire feature gives off heat, there may need to be a mantel installed between the two and the height of the ceiling would determine the opportunity to fulfill the homeowner’s vision.

Electric fireplaces tend to be the least expensive, while a gas or wood burning fireplace tends to be the most expensive because there are a lot more variables that are factored into the installation process.  For an electric fireplace, the budget can range from $350-$2,500. A gas log installation is sometimes a perfect solution to the fireplace renovation with reasonable product costs of $500 and up. A wood fireplace can range from $5,000-$10,000, not including installation. If you would prefer a gas fireplace, the recommended budget would between $3,500-$7,000 depending on the size and added accessories. Pellet stoves and insert pricing starts at $3,000.

You also want to consider the aesthetics when determining your budget.  There are a variety of mantels, shelves, facades (marble, stone & brick), as well as accessories that can be purchased in addition to choosing the fireplace appliance itself.  When it comes to designing a fireplace, it is best to talk to a hearth design expert and let them know your vision and expectations, so they can help you find the fire feature that would best fit your needs and home’s decor.

Angerstein’s is Delaware’s one-stop home improvement destination with a brand new hearth showroom featuring burning fireplace displays and stoves to inspire you. You’re invited to browse their showroom and consult with their experienced team of hearth designers. Bringing a picture of the living space, the budget and a completed ‘Measurement Form’ (accessible on Angerstein’s website) to review during the consultation will help Angerstein’s designers choose the best fire feature for your home.

Angerstein’s Building Supply, Fireplace and Lighting Center is a family-owned and operated business since 1924. As Delaware’s one-stop home improvement destination and E.P. Henry distributor, contractors and homeowners know Angerstein’s stocks all the products and supplies they need for their indoor and outdoor projects. The knowledgeable and experienced staff in all department can answer the quick questions or help in project planning. Visit Angerstein’s at 315 New Rd in Wilmington or online at: www.Angersteins.com.

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No lawn is too small. Even modest homes or those with limited yards or gardens can benefit.

Low-voltage outdoor lighting is inexpensive, safe and relatively easy to install. A handy homeowner can put in a low-voltage lighting system over a weekend. All you need are basic tools, a transformer (to reduce standard 120-volt household current to the safe 12-volt level), outdoor low-voltage copper cable and low-voltage light fixtures.

It is not necessary to do everything at once. For your initial project, install a transformer that is larger than required, because it will only consume the amount of electricity being used. The larger capacity transformer will already be in place when you install additional fixtures.

Buy well-constructed fixtures. They will last decades longer than cheap fixtures. Find high-quality fixtures at your local ALA-member showroom.

Remember that a little light goes a long way outdoors. For example, a 50- to 60-foot pathway can be adequately illuminated with three to four high-quality lights.

Save electricity by using a timer or photo cell. A photocell automatically turns the lights off and on when it becomes light or dark outside.

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