a fireplace in a house without one - HOW MUCH??? (for sale, buying)

[sheena12]

The house we are looking at as no fireplace and never did. That's is only drawback IMO. I absolutely love sitting by a fire - wonderful ambiance and feeling in the Autumn and Winter months
The thought of NOT having a place to decorate and hang the stockings throws me into a panic
Short of an electric FLP - which does not fill the bill for me- what are my options?
How much will they run and any suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!

[Magritte25]

You could always go with one of these:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3&dim_search=1

I know it's not the same, but it's something....

[Riverside4ever]

For a wood burner upwards of $2500 installed (a gas unit )propane about $2000 installed

[thecoalman]

With a stove you won't get that ambiance, most have windows but quickly become cloudy and are hard to keep clean. They are much more practical for heat as fireplaces are not very efficient. Much of the heat goes right out the chimney.

If you'd consider a stove I'd look at getting a coal stove.

[Summering]

I really love some of those fireplaces in Home Depot. I saw a few larger ones for sale last year.
Very nice. That might work for you. Gas would look nice. Plan on that cost and the cost to install the line and tank. Amerigas use to do the tank and install for free with you getting fill ups from them. I don't know if that is still the case.
Don't let a fireplace be the reason not to take a house. You can work around that......and add one when your settled........

[sheena12]

Thanks everyone for the help! I had thought that it was a much more costly endeavor!
I am spoiled by my gas fireplace with its pretty wood surround and easy to use remote control.( I am reminding my seld of a woman in a recent movie - Renee Zelwegger who is "New in Town" - new to Minnesota via Miami when she says "Sure I know how to build a fire. Wheres the remote control?"
That's me- LOL!

[rcb1966]

I recommend S&T Coombe, actually twice today. They are in Blakeslee Pa & they have a wonderful showroom & great experienced people working for them. They can do whatever option you choose. 570-646-8254

[sheena12]

thanks rcb!

[Phish Head]

Have you tried a gel fireplace? We bought our dream house that was perfect in every way, but no fireplace. I know what you mean about a house needing a fireplace, our house is in a rustic, rural area, and it's screaming out for a fireplace. And an electric fireplace is no substitute.

We have been looking into getting a gel fireplace. I've heard they put out a reasonable amount of heat, the flames are real, and they seem to look good. They burn special cans of fuel that burn orange/red and crackle. Anyone have one of these?

[thecoalman]

Well looking at the BTU rating of the gel:

Real Flame® Gel Fireplaces

The original gel fuel that crackles just like a real fire! Each can burns up to three hours long at 3,000 BTUs........

Real Flame® Premium Gel Fuel 24-pack: $85

24 X 3000 = 72,000 BTU

Just to give you an example of how ridiculous the price is for that fuel there's 25 million BTU's in 1 ton of anthracite and you can get it delivered starting around $160. To equal that with the gel you'd have to spend about $30,000 and that is not a typo.

ROFL..... now I understand it's not meant to be heating source but that's just a little ridiculous. As a practical matter I wouldn't even begin to consider even if I was rich beyond my wildest dreams. The only benefit you are getting is a flame to look at. They can tout it as environmentally friendly but I beg to differ because it serves no purpose. You'd probably be more environmentally friendly buying a TV and putting it there and it would certainly be cheaper in the long run.