Why do so many newly constructed homes not have fireplaces? (real estate, homeowners association)

[japan-virginia]

Okay, so maybe this is purely anecdotal, but why do so many newly constructed homes lack fireplaces? Are there local building regulations that are in place to reduce particulate pollution? It is purely cost savings? Or is it a millennial preference for homes without them?

I would understand if we were talking about homes in the deep south or other areas lacking winter's chill, but the mountains do have a stretch of winter weather that makes a fire nice for ambience if not as an efficient means of heat.

Have others observed this trend as well?

[SGMI]

I think many homebuyers today would rather see the builder's cost for a chimney be placed into some other amenity that will be used more often.

I'd be OK with a functional gas log. But I have no interest in splitting wood, bringing insects into the house, sweeping up loose bark.

My dad built a woodstove for my family's 1970-era house, and it would heat about half the house decently. But even my cheapskate dad eventually agreed that it only saved about $3 a day versus using the central heat. He views it as an emergency use appliance now.

He also broke his ankle and had a couple of surgeries along with a slow recovery, when he slipped on ice while going outside to fetch wood. That more than negated whatever savings he accrued over the years of using that old-fashioned heat.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by japan-virginia

...why do so many newly constructed homes lack fireplaces?

expensive inefficient indulgent.

[japan-virginia]

Originally Posted by SGMI

I think many homebuyers today would rather see the builder's cost for a chimney be placed into some other amenity that will be used more often.

Fair enough, I think your answer is probably reflective of how many feel. Certainly market forces would dictate whether they are included or not.

It is still hard for me to imagine a significant segment would not want to enjoy a fire on a cold night, thermodynamic effectiveness aside.

[Lizap]

Love a wood-burning fireplace, but just not very practical for many retirees. We have a gas fireplace, and this is fine at this stage of our lives.

[ucctgg]

I think home insurance rates are a bit higher with a wood burning fireplace.

[getatag]

We love a wood burning fireplace on a screened covered deck.
We love a 40,000 BTU direct vent, gas feed, thermostat controlled insert in the house.
Good riddance to the old smelly, cumbersome, inefficient wood burning fireplace it now occupies.

[Jowel]

Just a few theories, along with others that have been mentioned:

1. Increase in allergy rates and small particles from fireplace smoke irritate these.
2. People being concerned with burning wood not being environmentally friendly. Take this with a grain of salt when someone makes this decision from a 4,000 SF home that only they and their wife live in but still....
3. Homeowners associations may not allow this because someone would complain about smoke from an adjoining home coming into their area, particularly if homes are packed together.
4. People tend to be bigger worriers in general now, and are concerned about what could go wrong and cause a fire hazard.
5. As others have mentioned, it's a bit of a hassle to obtain, chop/saw, and store firewood properly.

Sometimes, for fun, I like to look at real estate listings in other states to see what houses look like and what they cost. It makes me laugh when I see a fireplace being advertised as a feature in coastal Southern California.

[VinceTheExplorer]

We have one converted wood burning fireplace (taking the chimney down) and have added a second gas burner. Doing a remodel and adding a third to our MB with an outdoor wood burner / pizza oven on our screened in deck.

We also use a Solo Stove Yukon for campfires out on the deck, which are fun on a nice evening with friends and family. Zero smoke after it starts up. For us, that is all that’s needed to get our “fix” of a wood fire, plus it’s great for burning off junk mail and sensitive documents.

Used to love an indoor wood fireplace but TBH the allure of it wears off over time, kinda like having a pool does. Would we spend $10k+ to add one to a new build? Probably not, although we would add one to an outdoor “entertainment style” area, but that’s just our preference.

[motordavid]

Wood stove in our Mtn home...
20 yrs ago it was 'fun' and less rigorous to do the tree dropping, bucking, splitting, hauling in, etc.

These older days/nights it is for ambiance, serious room warming and a nice cozy look, though not something we fire up frequently.

Some of our friends still have remarkable stacked stone fireplaces, seldom used, some with gas inserts.

No expert, but the older style fireplace/chimney set up was not the most efficient, requires a serious footing, are expensive and it takes an expert to build a decent one, imo.
GL, mD