Design

• Years ago, constructing a fireplace was a complicated and arduous process because a masonry fireplace was the only option available. Today, advances in fireplace technology have made installing a fireplace less expensive and faster. Once you decide on the type of fireplace, you can choose from a vast assortment of styles, ranging from traditional to modern, to finish off the project.
  
  Material alternatives for the mantel and surrounding area include ceramic tile, marble, granite and hardwood. Determine if you will need to run a gas supply line and /or electricity to the fireplace.
  
  

Type

• Functionally obsolete and inefficient masonry fireplaces can be brought back to use with some retrofitting. A popular option is to converting an old wood-burning fireplace into a gas log fireplace. However, this choice is still inefficient when you consider that both choices lose as much as 90 percent of the warm air through the chimney.
  
  This problem can be remedied by installing a fireplace insert, which is a steel-encased box that fits into the fireplace opening. The insert pulls air from the room warms it and recirculates the air into the room. Most of the warm air remains in the room.
  
  Some other choices include direct-vent, vent-free and electric fireplaces. A direct vent fireplace vents the combustion by-products out of a nearby outside wall. Vent-free or ventless and electric fireplaces do not require any sort of venting.
  
  Another decision will be the type of fuel your fireplace will burn. Fuel options includes natural gas, propane, pellets, gels and wood.
  
  

Chimney

• Many people still choose traditional masonry fireplaces, especially in new home construction. However, most fireplace chimneys, for new and existing homes, are made out of stainless steel pipes.
  
  The chimney can be installed vertically through the roof or exit through an exterior wall and stack the chimney pipe up along the exterior wall to the required height. Often, an enclosure is built around the pipe. If you are retrofitting an existing masonry chimney, have it inspected by a certified professional. If may have to be relined to bring it up to current standards and to accommodate a modern energy-efficient fireplace.
  
  

Building Codes

• The local building and fire safety codes must be taken into consideration for a fireplace construction project. You will need to find out what the requirements are for such matters as the type of fireplaces that are acceptable. For example, some jurisdictions do not allow vent-free gas log fireplaces. For a DIY fireplace construction project, you may not be allowed to perform certain aspects of the construction. You will probably need to pull a permit and have the project inspected at various stages.