New Fireplace Design and Remodeling Ideas Order our free 48-page Fireplace Design and Remodeling e-guide and learn how to: make a big impact on a small budget update without tearing out existing brick remodel outdated, non-traditional spaces add value with the latest styles install your new surround, whether you do-it-yourself...or not Enter your email address below to request your free guide. Email:
					Visit us at the Denver Home Show March 19-22 National Western Complex
Call 303-337-1067 or visit our showroom at 1753 S. Broadway Denver, CO 80210

        

Why are tough times fueling interest in fireplace remodeling?  There are a number of reasons including:

• People have decided to stay in their homes, at least for the foreseeable future, and want to make them more beautiful, comfortable, and enjoyable.
• You get a lot of bang for the buck.  A fireplace is a major focal point.  It is the first thing you see when you walk into the room.  It setsthe tone for the room and perhaps the whole house.  Money spent on focal points shows.
• It is inexpensive compared to other remodeling projects.  Even minor kitchen remodels average over $21,000 according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report.  The average bath remodel comes in at $15,789.  You can make a major change to the look for your fireplace for under $500 with paint and a new cast stone mantel if you do-it-yourself.  Complete stone surrounds, including a mantel, legs, and hearth start around $1,00.  If your budget is bigger, you can create something truly jaw dropping for less than you'd probably spend for new kitchen appliances.
• It's the heart of your home.  A place of relaxation, intimacy, family photos, celebration, and togetherness.  Turn it into a space you love and you'll find you enjoy your whole home more.
• It's fairly easy.  You don't have to reinforce floors or tear out existing brick.  You can paint it, faux it, or cover it with drywall, tile, or cast stone pavers.  You don't need to move out or even eat out.  It is a fairly clean project that can usually be completed in a few hours.
• It is a fun, creative project that results in a unique, custom solution that fits your space and style.  This guide was prepared to inspire you by showing you part of the range of styles available.  Flip though home decorating magazines and tear out pages of styles that please you.  We'll work with your to turn your preferences and vision into a solution that fits your budget.
• You can do-it-yourself - or not.  Cast stone is lighter than full cast or natural stone.  Is is easy to cut and most homeowners with some carpentry skills are comfortable working with it.  We'll provide you with tips for installing your surround or arrange for professional installation.
• The timing is great.  Prices for building materials have declined.  Our manufacturere as reduced prices of some of our most popular designs up to 30%.  Labor is readily available.  Our designers have time to help make sure you get something you'll truly love.

        

Your fireplace is one of your home's major focal points.  Updating it can transform a room or the feel of your entire home.  It is a high impact project that can be completed on a small budget.

The simplest and least expensive update is to paint the fireplace.  Pick a color that is close to your wall color if you are trying to make the fireplace less dominate.  Pick a contrasting color if you want it to stand out.  Painting supplies run $50 or so if you visit your paint or remodeling store, online paint kits run about $200.

You can replace an outdated or inexpensive mantel with a new cast stone mantel for as little as $300.  Add a hearthstone for $200 to $300.

Complete cast stone fireplace surrounds consisting or a mantel, legs, and a hearth start around $1,000.  Beefier and more elaborate surrounds run $2,000 to $3,500.  They can be installed over existing brick or drywall over the existing brick and add the surround for a completely new look.

        

Learn how to makeover your fireplace at a free Fireplace Design Workshop.  They're held every Saturday from 10:30 to noon MST at the Architectural Accents showroom at 1773 S. Broadway in Denver.

Learn how to:

• Make big changes on a small budget
• Update without tearing out existing brick
• Add value with the latest styles
• Select the tools you'll need to do-it-yourself

Call 303-337-1067 to register.  Bring a photo of your fireplace!
 

        

If your home was built before Carter left office, chances are you're been blessed with a floor to ceiling brick fireplace that's perfect with plaid wall paper and plastic chairs. The lava lamps may be out of the rumpus room but chances are the fireplace has retained it's original glory - or better yet - has been painted white. What to do? Fortunately you have lots of options and the makeover can typically be completed without tearing out the existing brick. Paint it. This is the cheapest and easiest remedy. You can take the focus off of the fireplace by painting it the same color as the surrounding walls. Keep in mind that this is a permanent change. Bricks are porous and irregular making paint almost impossible to remove. If you decide to move forward, start by cleaning the brick with TSP (tri sodium phosphate) and rinse thoroughly. Tape off any areas you don't want to paint. Cover the brick with an acrylic primer. You can use a thick nap roller to cover the surface then go over the grout with a brush. Apply a high-quality latex paint after the primer dries. You can paint the fireplace a solid color or layer colors by dabbing and blending a complementary color over the base. Faux it. You can use faux techniques to make the brick look like a different surface such as stone or Venetian plaster. Typical costs run $600 to $1,200 for a 10 by 10 space for a professional job depending on the technique used. Cover it. Give the fireplace a totally different look by covering it. Options include everything from drywall, paneling , or thin cut stone, to tile or cast stone pavers. Add a mantel, hearthstone, or complete surround to any of these options to complete the transformation. Groovy.
			Wood paneling combined with a cast stone surround with raised heart creates a warm space.
		Drywall over the top of a floor to ceiling fireplace to diminish its visual mass.
			Here an old brick surround is covered with a combination of cast and thin cut stone.

        

Your fireplace is a major focal point.  It is the first thing you see when you walk in the room.  It sets the tone for the room and perhaps the whole house.

Fireplace styles reflect what was popular at the time your home was built and become outdated.  Many homes built during the 60's and 70's have Brady style floor to ceiling brick boxes.  Homes built prior to that have smaller brick surrounds that are ugly and sooty.

Even newer homes can have fireplaces that need attention.  The fireplace is one of the last areas completed, often about the time the builder runs short of money.  You often see a surround consisting of a few pieces of tile stuck to the wall topped with a cheap wood mantel in a home with higher end finishes everywhere else.

The cost to remodel a fireplace is minor compared to most other remodeling projects.  A major kitchen remodel averages $55,503, a minor kitchen remodel runs $21,185, and the average bath remodel comes in at $15,789 according to Remodeling Magazine's 2007 Cost vs. Value Report.

You can make a major change to the look of your fireplace with paint and a new cast stone mantel for under $500 if you do-it-yourself.  Complete stone surrounds, including a mantel, legs, and heart start around $1,000.

A fireplace makeover is a relatively easy project.  You normally don't need to tear out the existing brick.  You can paint it, faux it, or cover it with drywall, stone, or cast stone pavers.  You don't need to move out, it is a fairly clean project.  A fairly simple surround can be completed in about four hours.

Our customers remodel their fireplaces when:

• it dates their home
• they've completed other remodeling projects and now the fireplace really stands out - and not in a good way
• the quality of the surround isn't consistent with the other finishes in their home
• they hate their fireplace - it doesn't reflect their style

Change can be dramatic.  For before and after photos and fireplace design ideas visit www.denverfireplaces.com.

        

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