DECOR TRENDS
A fireplace adds ambience to any room
While fireplaces were once the main source of heat and light in family homes, they’ve truly come a long way from their functional roots. Today, fireplaces come in a variety of types and styles and can serve as decorative centrepieces in just about any space.
Gas fireplaces tend to be the most popular types of units today, largely due to their mess-free maintenance.
“Whether it’s in a newly built condo or a retrofitted gas insert into an old masonry fireplace, direct-vent gas fireplaces and inserts are a safe, stylish and flexible solution to your style and heating needs,” said Kyle Hunt, co-owner of Forge Distribution. “But gas is not the only option; biomass products such as wood or pellet fireplaces, stoves and inserts continue to be incredibly popular among residents in Quebec and elsewhere, too.”
In Montreal, a bylaw regulating wood-burning stoves is restricting homeowners to a certain extent, forcing consumers to upgrade their wood-burning units in the near future. Currently, Montrealers with wood-burning stoves and fireplaces are required to register their units, and will have to replace them with low-emission alternatives by October 2018.
“The current bylaw is still fairly new, but it has certainly hit a nerve with residents because despite not being a necessity anymore, people truly enjoy burning wood,” Hunt said. “The effect on the demand for wood specifically has certainly been felt, but there are always other options for inserts and stoves available that meet or exceed the limitations set by the city.”
The bylaw certainly isn’t stopping homeowners from making the most of their units, and incorporating them into the very look and feel of their homes. In fact, the trend of having fireplaces act as an element of decor has been popular for some time now.
“Because trendy fireplaces are as much a piece of art as they are a source of heat, people tend to spend more to meet their needs for style and ambience,” Hunt said. “I certainly believe people are investing more, but also getting more.”
The range of available styles and models on the market today is huge. Moreover, the number of homeowners seeking custom units goes up every year.
“Today, fireplaces can be built to the requirements and taste of any consumer,” Hunt said. “There’s really something for everyone — especially folks searching for an artsy focal point with functionality. The rise of linear modern gas fireplaces is no secret, but recently the rise in the cross between modern and traditional has been huge. That’s why we’re seeing things like linear gas fireplaces with crushed glass and faux-logs.”
So what will one of these installations
set you back? It’s hard to say.
“There’s a huge amount of variables involved, including the type of unit be it wood, gas, pellet or electric and its location in the home,” Hunt said. “Each situation is different, but a basic installation could cost you around $5,000. But a local retailer is your best source for such information.”
Aside from stylish units in the home, another trend growing in popularity is the installation of elaborate outdoor fireplaces.
“These are not to be confused with fire pits,” Hunt said. “They’re
available in both gas and wood and will instantly transform your outdoor living space, again adding to the ambience, and providing a place to gather and keep warm if needed.”
While there’s no question that fireplaces add to the look and feel of a home, it’s hard to objectively pinpoint what value they add to a property.
“Buyers who have grown up having a fireplace tend to place more value on having one in the home they’re purchasing,” said Desiree Ofter, real-estate broker with Royal LePage. “There’s a feeling of nostalgia and you often hear descriptions of the fire crackling or the smell of wood burning.”
For most homebuyers, a fireplace is a desirable feature but not an essential addition to a home, she added. “But fireplaces can definitely add a wow factor and can be a focal point if designed right. This is especially true for luxury homes.”
Of the properties currently listed on MLS, 55 per cent of detached single-family homes for sale in Montreal have a fireplace.