Raleigh New Home Fireplace Styles and Trends

Fireplace Design Ideas

Thinking about building a new home in central North Carolina? Chances are good your new home will have a fireplace as a focal point in the Family Room or Great Room. 

Even though fireplaces have decreased somewhat in popularity, more than half of today's new homes still include at least one fireplace.

Some Stanton Homes even include two or more fireplaces, in Great Rooms, Keeping Rooms, Living Rooms, and Master Suites.

There are a wide variety of custom fireplace options - and Stanton Homes can custom design/build something unique just for you. Browse photos below, to get ideas for your Fireplace design.

Your fireplace design (surround and mantle) can reflect your own personality throughout a variety of different budgets. Contact us about your ideas for your new custom home!

And remember, in the Raleigh area, check with your county restrictions before building - some counties have had restrictions on wood burning fireplaces due to air quality guidelines.

More New Home Design Trends:

Fireplace Design Ideas for Your New Custom Home

Stone Fireplace Ideas - Photos and Tips for Stone Fireplace Surrounds

Are Fireplaces Disappearing? Trends in New Home Fireplaces

Open Floor Plans - How to Use Overlooks to Add Appeal

How to Create an Open Floor Plan - When to Add or Remove a Wall

What is a Coffered Ceiling?

Mantle and Surround Ideas for the Fireplace

New Home Fireplace Styles and Trends

Thinking about a new home?  Chances are good your new home will have a fireplace as a focal point in the Family Room or Great Room.

Even though fireplaces have decreased somewhat in popularity, more than half of today's new homes still include at least one fireplace.  

If you love a warm, cheery fireplace, choosing the surround can be very important!  There are a wide variety of custom possibilities available.

Fireplace Surrounds and Mantles -  Simply Classic

Here's a basic gas log fireplace with a marble tile surround and custom wood mantlepiece.

Above the fireplace, simplicity is key, with a cable outlet included for a flat screen tv.

Want to stay flexible?  Ask your builder to add a second cable outlet on another wall - the one above the fireplace can be covered with art work when the furniture is rearranged.

Fireplace Surrounds and Mantles - Custom Built In Entertainment Center

This fireplace features a built in entertainment center with cubbies for electronics.  While this won't work for the largest of today's flat screen televisions, it will accomodate most moderate sized units.

The custom tile fireplace surround adds color and texture, with the contrasting light colored grout.

The mantle is extensive and roomy, with a secondary, accent ledge above the entertainment center. 

Fireplace Surrounds and Mantles - Cherry Accents

The cherry wood inlay around the fireplace hearth gives a great color accent and really sets this corner fireplace apart.

The minimalist mantle blends perfectly with the extensive trimwork through the home.

Fireplace Surrounds and Mantles - Luxury Television

Here's another fireplace surround option for that flat screen tv.  Note the power and cable outlets ready for hook up.

It's easy to include some crown moulding and other trimwork options to really set the fireplace/entertainment focal point apart.

Want to liven up the room a bit more?  Just choose a dark contrasting tile instead of light, or a warm accent trim color!

Fireplace Surrounds and Mantles - Stone Fireplace

A stone fireplace can be a bit more costly, but nothing comes close to the look and feel of stone in your new home. 

Mantles can be constructed of natural wood, white painted wood to match interior trimwork, or even stone.

Cost depends on the type of stone, detailing involved, size of the surround, type of mantle, and size of the hearth.

All these mantles and surrounds can be suitable for both gas burning fireplaces or wood burning insert fireplaces.

In the Raleigh area, check with your county restrictions before building - some counties have had restrictions on wood burning fireplaces due to air quality guidelines.  

Fireplace Surrounds - Wall Sconce Lighting

It's even possible to add a pair of wall sconce lights above the fireplace!  This type of accent lighting can be especially pleasing in a basement rec room or other room that doesn't have as much natural light. 

There are many different styles of sconce lighting. 

Raised stone hearths are a little less common these days, but can still be very appealing. 

Fireplace Surrounds - Trends and Styles in New Homes

This dark slate surround really "pops" against the solid hardwood floors and the bright trimwork and neutral paint.

The built in niche can have a variety of uses, from tv to art display.

Your fireplace surround and mantle can reflect your own personality throughout a variety of different budgets.  Contact us about your ideas for your new custom home! 

More Design Trend Fireplace Articles and Ideas:

Fireplace Design Ideas for Your New Custom Home

Stone Fireplace Ideas - Photos and Tips for Stone Fireplace Surrounds

Are Fireplaces Disappearing?  Trends in New Home Fireplaces

Open Floor Plans - How to Use Overlooks to Add Appeal

How to Create an Open Floor Plan - When to Add or Remove a Wall

What is a Coffered Ceiling?

*All photos copyright Stanton Homes.  Photos represent new home trends by a variety of home builders.

Choosing a Fireplace

Design Tips for your New Custom Home

If you're thinking about a new custom home, chances are fairly good that you'll be including at least one fireplace.

But what type of fireplace do you have in mind?  Here are a few basic ideas to get you started.

Fireplace Idea #1: Simple and Elegant Gas Fireplace

In most cases, you'll start with an elegant, simple fireplace design. 

This gas fireplace is set off with a black slate surround with matching hearth, and a custom, site-built mantlepiece.

Fireplace Idea #2: Fireplace with Mosaic Tile Surround

For old world sophistication, consider a mosaic tile.

This type of fireplace surround is more labor intensive, but well worth a little additional cost.

In this example, a mini-mosaic was used, with a fabulous mixture of dark and light textures.

The site-built mantle and surround includes an entertainment niche with decorative columns.

Fireplace Idea #3: 42" Fireplace with Raised Hearth and Framed TV Area

The fireplace is often the focal point of the room, and an oversized fireplace can make a vaulted room even more cozy.

Here, a raised hearth and intergrated, completely trimmed tv area make this fireplace a masterpiece.

Fireplace Idea #4 - Full Height Stone Surround

There's nothing quite like a stone fireplace surround for a special look. 

Whether you're aiming for a rustic lodge or a classic, timeless feel, stone is an excellent choice.

Here, note the stone hearth, matching stone mantlepiece, and keystone accent over the fireplace.   And stone doesn't mean the tv has to move - ask about having your tv support installed ahead of time. 

Choosing a Fireplace for your New Custom Home

Your fireplace, surround and mantle can reflect your own personality across a variety of different budgets.   Ask your builder for ideas that will work best for your new custom home! 

More Design Ideas and Tips from your NC Custom Home Builder

Formal Dining Rooms - Going Away, or Here to Stay?

Tile Tub Surround Design Trends and Ideas

Top 5 Trey Ceiling Treatments

Five Ways to Save Money in the Family Room

Built In Bookcase Styles and Ideas

7 Kitchen Trends to Watch in 2011 - Changes in Cabinetry, Cooking, and More

Kitchen Color Schemes for 2011 - This Year's Color Trends

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace?

What Kind of Fireplace Should You Choose for Your New Home?

When the air starts getting crisper, you might find yourself yearning for a woodburning fireplace. But you’ll need to check with your custom homebuilder to see whether they can add a woodburning fireplace to your new home.

Materials, cost, and even where you choose to live could have an impact.

Here’s what you need to know:

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - Where you choose to live

Some districts no longer allow installation of woodburning fireplaces, due to air pollution issues. Check with your custom homebuilder to find out where they’re allowed, before you choose your lot.

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - What it costs

A woodburning fireplace usually costs more than a gas fireplace.

The firebox must be built to withstand higher heat: Wood is hotter than gas.

Custom homebuilders will make sure that the fireplace vents directly to the roof instead of through the wall, the way a gas fireplace does.  Thus the chimney must be taller – which adds to the cost of building.

Today's woodburning fireplaces usually consist of a woodburning insert with a metal flue that reaches the roof, but this is still more expensive than a gas fireplace.

A traditional masonry or brick chimney or firebox can add considerably to the cost, and are extremely rare in today's new homes.

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - What you’ll use for fuel

Woodburning fireplaces are intended for the burning of wood – and that can take more effort than you realize.

Even if your property has a lot of trees you’re planning to chop into firewood, you need to make sure your community allows you to do that. If there’s a Homeowners Association, check the rules to make sure you’re allowed to take down the trees.

Woodburning logs are getting harder to find, and when they’re sold by the bundle, they can be expensive. Ask custom homebuilders if they’re aware of local costs and availability for a truckload of wood to be delivered to your home, if you’re unable to get it, yourself.

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - Where to store wood

Keep in mind that with a woodburning fireplace, you'll need to store wood somewhere.  Storing wood in preparation for burning can attract insects or rodents.  If you store wood too close to the home, those critters can get inside. You’ll also need to protect the wood from the weather – too much rain will make soggy logs difficult to burn.

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - When you’re not allowed to use your woodburning fireplace

Local restrictions can include special rules for days when air quality is low, due to pollution. When this happens, you may only be allowed to light a fire if you have a gas fireplace – which doesn’t have as many emissions that affect air quality.

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - Where you can put a woodburning fireplace

It isn’t always possible for custom homebuilders to put a woodburning fireplace where you think it might be fun in your new floor plan.

Because a woodburning fireplace has to have a vent that goes straight up, the home needs to be designed with that in mind. Gas burning fireplaces have more options - and have a much lower installation cost when place on an exterior wall.

Due to the extra heat involved in burning wood, you also may not be able to add a recessed entertainment center above a woodburning fireplace, like the one seen here. 

Woodburning or Gas Fireplace - What you need to do

Ask your custom homebuilder what the best option is in your area.   

Give custom homebuilders the floor plan you're considering, and let them know what area you want to live in BEFORE you buy a woodburning fireplace.  

Other Top Custom Homebuilder Questions:

What Ceiling Height Should I Choose?

Formal Dining Room - yes or no?

Article copyright Stanton Homes 2010, all rights reserved.  Provided for informational purposes only, no claims are made by Stanton Homes regarding the validity of any statements.