Tips for distinguishing quality levels in fireplaces. Also, know what you want to burn before buying a house with a certain type of fireplace

Whether they used or not, fireplaces have significant appeal in a home. On a national basis, the National Association of Realtors says that the mean value of a fireplace is twelve thousand dollars. That’s not surprising as a fireplace increases the charm factor of just about any room.

Most commonly, they are found in the family room. A home’s second or third fireplace is usually in the living room or master bedroom. A third tier location for fireplaces is either the basement or outdoors adjacent to a patio or screened porch.

Generally, there are two basic categories of fireplaces (barring the electric or throw-a-switch varieties): prefabricated and hand-built.

The "prefabbed" fireplaces are usually made of steel and have steel chimneys. Their facades are shrouded in either wood or masonry so that they resemble their hand-built counterparts. Typically, both natural gas and artificial logs can be burned in this type of fireplace. Natural wood is not always an option-check with the fireplace’s manufacturer.

Hand-built masonry fireplaces can be used three ways. First, you can burn natural gas. Second, you can use natural gas as a starter for natural wood. Third, the hand-built fireplace can be purely wood-burning.

There is a direct relationship between the price of a home and the likelihood of having a hand-built masonry fireplace. Just ask your realtor. He or she should be able to point out other aesthetic and functional characteristics.

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