Stone Fireplaces Add Elegance and Warmth

Stone Fireplaces

Stone fireplaces add architectural beauty to the inside of a home, but they stand out in backyards as well. You don't have to live in an alpine climate to appreciate a stone fireplace, either. Stone fireplaces add visual warmth and a romantic element to living rooms and great rooms; and they can also provide a focal point for backyard gatherings.

Types of Stone Fireplaces

Stone fireplaces typically are made from natural or cultured stone. Natural stone is much more expensive - and heavy. Natural stone choices include granite, limestone, slate, marble, and travertine. Granite and limestone are two of the most popular building materials for fireplaces. Natural stone fireplaces cost more because they require masonry block walls to support the weight of the stone.

Cultured stone products, however, are manufactured to emulate a wide range of different stone surfaces. Cultured stone is made by mixing aggregates, cement and dyes. Cultured stone fireplaces can be attached via metal lath and mortar to a fireplace insert that is surround by typical wood framing. Shipping costs also are much lower with cultured stone products.

One of the greatest advantages of stone fireplaces is durability. Cultured stone fireplaces have extremely long warranties, while natural stone needs no warrant from material defects.