With the flick of a switch, they can be turned on and off. The painted, exposed brick made it look like every other fireplace. Place them beside the gas fireplace. Contemporary fireplaces typically use colored glass pieces which require a specific type of burner that’s different from one used for … For this project, they already had the beautiful stone fireplace but wanted to add a mantel to make it even better – so, this tutorial for how to add a mantel to a stone fireplace is perfect for you if you’ve got a stone (or even brick) fireplace that you want to spruce up a bit with a DIY mantel. It can really make or break your brick fireplace look. Cultured stone (faux stone) is made by pouring manmade material (usually concrete) into a mold. I chose three shades of Benjamin Moore latex paint for the job: Cloud Cover, Athena, and Apparition. Invest in a set of solid, hand-painted ceramic logs. Look at how updated this fireplace makeover is. Raised on an organic farm, she is an avid gardener and believes that good growth starts with a rich, supportive foundation -- a philosophy that serves her well in both gardening and teaching. Place a fireplace screen in front of the opening. 9. A traditional "B-vent" system like you have, where air is drawn in from the room and then expelled up the chimney, is something like 30-40% efficient and really for ornamental use rather than heating. Bryte coals and glowing embers are the perfect fireplace fillers that can truly enhance the look of your gas log set. Budget-Friendly: Contrasting Colors. Continue to 6 of 20 below. The great thing about glowing embers and bryte coals are that they glow red. A veneer of white brick gives the surround a crisp look, which matches the airy appearance of the white-painted ceiling beams. Everything got a fresh coat of paint and it looked like new when I was done. Below are a number of steps that can be followed to make a gas fireplace look like a real fireplace. Upgrade to a more expensive but utterly realistic set and you will immediately notice how much more real your fireplace looks. Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of crackling ash granules and sprinkle directly over where the flames will hit. Be sure to check all your fittings to ensure that they are secured tightly. Antique fireplace accessories play a leading role in this. Once cleared, turn your gas back on and your flames should be vastly improved. Most gas fireplaces come with a standard, inexpensive set of hollow, ceramic fiber logs. This is a great way to soften the transition from the harsh black edges of an insert to the rest of your space. These are traditionally used to keep sparks from flying into the room. © 2020 FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. All rights reserved. Fireplace Before I enlisted the help of faux painter extraordinaire, Heather Spriggs, to help change this fireplace for the better. Sanders has written for Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Smarted Balanced, PARCC and others. More choice with fireplace inserts If you’re considering a fireplace insert, you have a few options. Set of fireplace tools (poker, brush, tong, shovel). By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Herald Times Online article, Nzong Xiong, March 2008. In most cases, built-in fireplaces are vented through an exterior wall. You’ll want your gas log burner that supports the style of fireplace you get. Turn fireplace on to see where flames will hit the embers and logs. Paint the area around the heater black to resemble the inside of a real fireplace. Definitely one you need to see! Narrow down your options based on fuel source (natural gas or liquid propane). The downside is that some gas fireplaces look obviously fake. The wood will protrude out from the wall & help blend in the distance from the front of the heater to the wall to provide dimension. You may have a gas leak. Fireplace refinishing is an easy, budget friendly way to update the look of a room and add value to your home. Turn gas valve back on and reignite the pilot light. They are convenient, quiet, and there is no mess to clean up. There is an existing electrical outlet 6 inches to the right. Those that have taken the time to come out have dumped some horrible ideas in my lap: After: Gorgeous Wood-Wrapped Fireplace . For families with small children or pets, the firescreen provides a barrier limiting access to the fireplace while still allowing the heat to enter the room. Most fireplace inserts can cut chilly chimney draft, but only the best gas fireplace inserts are engineered to keep you warmer for less. They also generate significantly greater levels of radiant heat. Things like glowing embers, remote controls, cracklers, log fenders, vermiculite granules, and more can make your life easier and make your fireplace look better. The feature of a gas fireplace that makes it seem more dated than anything else is often the trim color. With the flick of a switch, they can be turned on and off. Brick fireplace ideas often hinge on a great mantel. Keep matches or lighters out of the reach of children. With the fireplace being such a beautiful focal point of most rooms, it seems a shame to ruin the look with that big old black box. Purchase a set of fireplace tools that would be used with a wood-burning fireplace. Test Laboratory Accreditation & Certification, Blog | Your Fireplace Questions Answered | Regency, Regency Liberty LRI4E GAs Fireplace Insert, Worksheet - How to measure for a fireplace insert (LAST PAGE of brochure). Many logs are made of ceramic materials and have vented openings from which the flame from the gas … A ventless fireplace will basically put 100% of its heat output into your house, so yes, switching to ventless will help dramatically. But if the heat produced by the fireplace is the whole point, converting with a gas insert is a good way to keep money from going up the chimney and make your fireplace more efficient. Whether your gas fireplace uses propane or natural gas, ceramic logs or fire glass, is free standing, built-in, double-sided or a slip-in insert, it requires a gas burner to create the flames. Then, glue the “columns” to a cardboard base, and cap it off with another piece of cardboard for a mantle. To paint a brick fireplace, clean the surface with a wire brush and nonsudsy trisodium phosphate (TSP) to loosen grime, following the instructions on the package. Below are some steps you can take if you would like your gas fireplace to look more like a real, wood burning fireplace. Adding a mantel is a great way to make your fireplace look more realistic. Painting the fireplace surround a complementary shade of slate gray makes it a subtle focal point in this cozy family room. Most gas fireplaces come with a standard, inexpensive set of hollow, ceramic fiber logs. Add a wooden mantel to your gas fireplace. To make a quick and easy fake fireplace, fold two pieces of cardboard into tall square "columns" to form you fireplace pillars, and paint bricks on them for a more realistic look. The resulting product is then colored to make it look natural. 06 of 20. The richly stained wood mantel, crafted to look like a piece of antique furniture, now stands out prominently. Pick your favorite fireplace makeover below and then scroll down to the bottom of this page to learn how to achieve the look! Step 3 Sprinkle cedar wood fragrance oil near your fireplace, or pour it into a … Obviously, you will not have sparks with a gas fireplace, but the screen will make it look like your fireplace is wood burning. Aug 18, 2020 - Explore Mccoye's board "Stone fireplace makeover", followed by 684 people on Pinterest. A technician checks a valve. While you could increase your fireplace’s efficiency simply by installing an energy-efficient insert that burns traditional cord wood, fireplace inserts that burn wood, corn or flex fuel pellets also exist. It really updates this space! Pinteresting Plans. Most gas fireplaces do not come with mantels. I opened the window that’s right next to the fireplace all day, … I’m trying to install a vented gas insert into an existing masonry fireplace with gas stubbed off 3 inches to the right. A built-in gas fireplace is used in a space without an existing fireplace or chimney. Finding an apartment with a working fireplace is a big deal here in New York. But it is also nice if the gas fireplace looks as much as possible like a real wood-burning fireplace. But our new (actually 60+ years old) home has a large living room where the only logical place to put the TV is over the fireplace. After trying several times to update with budget-friendly fixes, she decided it was time to take the plunge and invest in its makeover. Built-in gas fireplace: Presents like a decorative insert, or as a freestanding fireplace. Use wide heat-tolerant tiles to frame out the insert in a simple, clean-lined way. Burn hickory incense near your gas log fireplace to simulate the smell of burning wood. They are convenient, quiet, and there is no mess to clean up. Choose your gas log material, either ceramic fiber, refractory ceramic, or refractory concrete. Measure your fireplace and choose the appropriate size. April Sanders is a writer, teacher and the mother of three boys. Especially in rooms with low ceilings, a dark fireplace can make a room feel cavelike and look dated. For your safety, ensure your gas is turned off and then simply brush away some of the media from the holes in your burner. Upgrade to a more expensive but utterly realistic set and you will immediately notice how much more real your fireplace looks. Plus it’s not typically the best of viewing angles. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. While I focused on making sure the brass was covered especially well, I didn’t neglect the black parts as they were looking tired, too. Like fire glass, these fireplace media lay out as a bed underneath your fireplace log burner and are used to mask unsightly controls and knobs. Jul 14, 2014 - Gas fireplaces are extremely popular. Turn a dark fireplace wall into a crisp focal point with paint. Gas log accessories can take your gas log set from pretty darn good to the best gas logs you've ever had with almost no hassle. Cultured stones can be purchased individually in bulk or in pre-arranged tile format. »* Email address required, Zip/Postal Code* Zip/Postal Code Required. Email Address The downside is that some gas fireplaces look obviously fake. Heather alternated dry brushing and ragging on the colors until the orange was vanquished and a whole new fireplace emerged. Place a stack of folded newspapers in a basket next to the tools, and set a box of matches or a lighter on the mantel, so that it looks like you might be starting a fire at any moment. Determine if you need vented or ventless logs based on your fireplace setup. Step 1. See more ideas about fireplace makeover, stone fireplace makeover, fireplace. No wonder gas fireplaces are popular. Invest in a set of solid, hand-painted ceramic logs. Fireplace Makeover Trend #3: Cultured Stone. Gas fireplaces and fireplace inserts allow less air to be lost outside of the house and are made to operate more simply and cleanly than wood fireplaces. It has been a couple of decades since brass trim was considered stylish. Now, this next one by All Things With Purpose takes a fake fireplace to the next level with shelves flanking either sides of the fireplace. You might even pile some kindling on top of the newspaper. Get some backsplash tiles that look like bricks & form your fireplace by attaching the tiles directly to the wood. Crackling ash granules make a pop and crackle sound when heated. Craving a new view? Gas fireplaces are extremely popular. All they did was paint and change out the mantel. A simple gas fireplace insert can really stand out with the right frame. Most gas fireplaces fall into one of two designs: contemporary or traditional. Fireplace After — Painted Brick and Shutters @ Better Homes and Gardens. Also the cabinets have doors added as well as trim to the top. This a a sweet fireplace and I love the trim detail on the columns and the faux brick fireplace insert is a timeless look. Something as small as a new fireplace screen can really dress-up the look of this important living room feature. If you can find a beautiful old mantel, you’re in luck, but if you can find a working fireplace, you’ve hit the jackpot.Most building owners have closed the fireplaces in apartments to prevent fire hazards, but some of them have been kind enough to leave the empty fireplaces or surrounding mantel intact. Fireplace Screens Give your gas log fireplace the true look of a wood burning fireplace by adding an attractive firescreen to your hearth. Improvements like ceramic radiant heating technology, multi-speed blowers, programmable heat controls and multi-room heat distribution kits are all helping home owners spend less and enjoy more. Brass fixtures are now outdated and need to be replaced or painted. The large 8” by 8” cut of wood makes a perfect statement piece to hang over a fireplace. Budget-Friendly: Chic Screen. 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