A den or recreation room with a fireplace serves as a beautiful and comfortable place where family members can enjoy conversation, food and quality time together. In addition to these aesthetic functions a fireplace serves as an effective additional heating system for homes located in colder regions. A genuine rock or faux rock fireplace can be an attractive focal point in any room or outside the home.

Fireplaces that really standout are those made of rocks. Genuine rocks or faux rocks create a solid and sturdy look of permanence and can last for decades. Rock fireplaces that were built decades ago still remain functional and require little maintenance. Rock fireplace designs can be flexible in that they can be made to look upscale in a contemporary design or more rustic.

The only downside to building a genuine rock fireplace is the high cost of construction. This is attributed to the solid and heavy material involved and the skills of a stone mason required for building the structure. Another reason for the high cost is the difficulty that comes in searching for the right stones that can be cut properly for building a fireplace. Faux rock fireplaces are much easier to construct.

For homeowners who want a genuine or faux rock fireplace they first must consider the cost and the size of the room where it will be constructed. Rock fireplaces that use wood or a gas log as fuel can be built in different ways. For a DIY project a homeowner can purchase a pre-manufactured fireplace that’s available in one piece and can be purchased at most home improvement centers.

For building a genuine rock fireplace there are several different types of rock to choose from such as river rock, field stone, or quarried granite stone. For most interior rock fireplaces the rock is actually veneer, meaning the face of the fireplace is stone while the rest of the fireplace is built of some other masonry material. When selecting the rock do not pick rocks that have been exposed to harsh weather for a long time. Rocks that are exposed to harsh weather deteriorate quickly and are not suitable for fireplace construction.

Both genuine and faux rock fireplaces can be custom built according to any design. The structure consists of a chimney, firebox, fireplace surround, and a fireplace mantel. To construct a genuine rock fireplace each rock must be put in place one rock at time. A concrete mixture is used to set the rocks in place. Professional stone masons are skilled at handcrafting the rocks for building a rock fireplace. The fireplace structure is built in accordance with the building code for your area.

A less expensive option is the faux rock fireplace which uses artificial rocks that appear the same as genuine rock. This makes the job a lot easier as no heavy material is involved and the cost is considerably cheaper. These artificial rock fireplaces are frequently used when there are budget constraints. Many homeowners are becoming more aware of the benefits of using artificial rocks and the beauty they can bring into any home.

Building a faux rock fireplace may be more expensive than other options but they are absolutely beautiful and will add a lot of character to any home.

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