How Long Does A Fireplace Last?
If you want to install a fireplace in your home, you may ask: how long does a fireplace last? This article looks at the range of fireplaces available and how long you should expect them to last for.
How Long Can a Gas Fireplace Last?
Gas fireplaces can often provide you with a solid 10-15 years of actual usage before it needs replacing. Various factors impact and extend the lifespan of your gas fire.
For example, the diligence of your maintenance routine, the type you have had installed, and the overall quality of initial installation. Ensure you consider each aspect thoroughly before replacing the vent free gas fireplace.
How Long Do Brick Fireplaces Last?
You can often expect a skillfully installed brick fireplace to generally last over 100 years and several decades with proper maintenance and care in both the summer and winter, regardless of your usage levels.
Brick is an incredibly sturdy, durable and long-lasting material; it can successfully withstand all the everyday fireplace demands.
How long does a wood-burning fireplace last?
The average life expectancy of a wood-burning fireplace or stove is approximately 10 to 20 years.
You could potentially need to repoint any aspects of crumbling mortar and ensure the chimney is fully lined and insulated before you begin burning fuel or wood in the winter, especially for much older brick chimneys.
You could put the safety of your home and family at risk if you ignore or refuse to fix structurally compromised brick. Frequently perform visual checks on your chimney and fireplace to look for potential faults.
Is It Time To Replace That Old Prefabricated Fireplace?
Owners of prefabricated fireplaces can attest that the equipment can regularly break or become virtually unusable after specific periods, and repair parts can no longer do it justice. The older the appliance, the more they may lack durability.
Therefore, you'll often require a replacement appliance. When factors such as your water heater die or become faulty, you may have to stick to cold showers.
However, when metal fireplaces begin to deteriorate, you may only become aware of it when hazardous fires or smoke emissions occur.
Please pay attention to each detail of your appliance to assess whether it shows any unusual signs of damage as these cannot function efficiently forever.
Prefab fireplaces rose to popularity in 1970; it was a relatively inexpensive alternative instead of building a household masonry fireplace. They are now around 30-40 years old, and existing models cause numerous house fires.
Prefab wood-burning fireplaces tend to have a lifespan in the industry of approximately 10-30 years, whereas masonry fireplaces can last as long as your house proceeds to stand.
You must remember to remove the fireplace from the rear and front-facing wall during the replacement process.
The easiest method of replacement is the removal of the rear, especially if the chase is covered with siding.
You must remove the underlayment and siding as this will grant you further access to the interior of the chase.
The chimney is usually removed at this point from the top, and on occasions, the chase is big enough to get inside so that you can precisely unscrew and disconnect each of the chimney sections.
If you perform a removal from the front of the fireplaces opening, it includes the facing, hearth and mantel materials, whether that be tile, marble, slate, etc.
Removal from the front can often be messy and more time consuming than from the back.
When choosing a new replacement model to install into your property, you must consider all valid options.
New prefabricated wood-burning appliances are manufactured to be highly sufficient for many years with energy-efficient combustion designs that produce heat output and burn times much like a woodstove.
They offer high-quality metal and tight-fitting doors. If you find you would struggle to perform such replacements yourself, you may want to contact a professional at a restoration service.
They will provide you with any repairs and maintenance you require alongside installations for parts that need to be replaced.
Should I retrofit an old fireplace?
We often suggest that the most responsible way you approach a retrofitting or replacement issue is by assessing the type of wood-burning appliance you have in your property or household.
Wood-burning fireplaces are single-room furnaces that you or professionals from a local restoration service company may freely place in any room you wish to install them in. By lighting the fire, you can create and achieve a comfortable warmth wherever in your home that you please.
Stoves and fireplaces can be additionally connected to your properties chimney with an exhaust pipe that you may operate from room-air-independent and room-air-dependent areas. Chimneys are often related to other appliances.
Your combustion chamber can be skilfully designed in a manner that allows flames to burn for approximately 45 minutes at a time.
Once this time is over, it is critical to reload the chamber with treated, dry logs or teared up newspaper to burn more heat for hours.
Homeowners must regularly aim to refill their fireplace or stove with brand-new firewood so that you may enjoy the warmth for a more extensive time.
New fireplace units tend to be much more efficient; they present fewer safety hazards and less pollution. They come in a wide range of intended sizes and styles.
Stand-alone woodstoves or coal baskets and inserts can be an excellent choice for those wishing to complete a retrofitting of a traditional fireplace to enhance energy efficiency levels and rid any wear and tear from the old model.
Do you have a period fireplace which needs repair or restoration? If you live in the Hastings and East Sussex area, our expert antique fireplace restoration services can help.