There are cheaper ways to heat a log home than a
fireplace but none more romantic. Sipping wine in front of a forced-air vent doesn’t evoke passion. Likewise, radiant-floor heating emphasizes comfort but misses sentimental feelings. Part of the image of living in a log home includes a crackling fire and the warm glow of its flame reflecting off the log walls and ceiling beams.
The fireplace is a beautifully visible part of the home. As such, it plays an important role in how we enjoy our log home. The fireplace reflects the heart and soul of its owners, and can turn a plain room into an inviting retreat. One of the most exciting characteristics of a fireplace is its role as a design focal point, bringing together
furniture, artwork, lamps and draperies in a pleasingly harmonious
decor within a room.
Small wonder, then, that log home buyers specify a fireplace as their most sought-after amenity when planning the home’s interior. Fireplaces are so in demand, in fact, that you can hardly consider one an extra. They take on many forms, both in appearance and operation.
Like so much else about log homes, the choice of fireplace — its look, its
materials, its accessories — is up to you. Here is a roundup of common, and a few uncommon, log home fireplace styles.
Round Stone
River rock is the most common fireplace material, favored for its variety of sizes, shapes and colors. It also is as likely to be manufactured as it is natural. Either way, it’s held in place with mortar, and the arrangement of the stone can produce an artistic effect. Its sturdiness complements logs.
Flat Stone
Despite its two-dimensional appearance, flat stone can very much influence the look of a room, complementing a casual look and serving as a strong focal point. Its irregularity adds to its appeal, and fitting the stone together takes a keen eye. Like round stone, flat stone can be natural or manufactured.
Stacked Stone
Stacked-stone fireplaces may use mortar or not, the latter technique being referred to as dry-stacking, which relies on the weight of the individual pieces for support. When mortar is used, it’s pushed back into the chinks to look dry. With or withour mortar, stacked stone enhances rustic styling.
Brick
Brick is a traditional fireplace material that isn’t all that common in log homes but fits extremely well with a contemporary look. The regularity of layered brick is an appealing feature. Brick looks best when it isn’t stacked too high, making it ideal for rooms without cathedral ceilings.
Flagstone
Flagstone is a natural stone that is cut to form a shallow flat slab, usually from quarried natural materials such as sandstone, slate or limestone. When mortared into position, its irregularly shaped pieces resemble a giant jigsaw puzzle. Because flagstone is cut, you can specify sizes and shapes.
Adobe
The kiva, or beehive, fireplace is a feature of Southwestern-style log homes. It’s made by using firebricks for the firebox and then facing the surround and chimney with adobe, plaster or stucco, usually decorated simply or elaborately. Traditionally tucked in the corner, kivas lately have moved center stage.
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Round Stone
River rock is the most common fireplace material, favored for its variety of sizes, shapes and colors. It also is as likely to be manufactured as it is natural. Either way, it’s held in place with mortar, and the arrangement of the stone can produce an artistic effect. Its sturdiness complements logs.
