When we think of a home with a fireplace — particularly a fireplace accented by modern wainscoting — we picture a more upscale, well-appointed place. Truly, this is the case, as the fireplace has become a symbol of timeless style in a home. What better way to accentuate this piece than to build a fireplace mantel surround with authentic wainscoting?
But it wasn’t always that way.
There was a time when having a fireplace was a necessity, not a luxury. In this blog post, we’re going to go back in time and look at the history and importance of the fireplace.
From Fire Pit to Fireplace
We’ve always needed fire. Cooking, keeping warm, warding off wild animals, wherever people set up dwelling, they built a fire.
Campfires came first, followed by fire pits built into the center of homes, with a hole in the roof to allow smoke to escape.
Then came homes with chimneys, and the fireplace as we know it was born, more or less. Fireplaces with mantels wouldn’t come along until the 1800s. If you went back in time 250 years, you’d probably see homes with fireplaces that were flush with the wall. Things like a fireplace with modern wainscoting were still a few decades away.
And while the advent of electricity and stoves have made fireplaces less important, that doesn’t mean they can’t still serve a purpose in your home.
A Fireplace is the Heart of Your House
One of the key benefits of having a fireplace in your house — or your business — is that it serves as a focal point for that room. Wherever you put it, it will get noticed, serving as a place for people to gather when they visit.
An extra heat source
A blizzard pounds into New England, knocking out your electricity for days on end. But you and your family are nice and warm, thanks to your fireplace, while your neighbors worry about running their generators.
A good way to save on energy costs
Electricity costs aren’t getting any cheaper, which is why many homeowners are choosing to use their fireplaces as a primary source of heat.
Purchasing firewood costs less than buying oil or gasoline, giving you the chance to reduce your independence from utility companies. And if you own property that’s heavily wooded, you won’t need to pay for firewood at all.
Paneled Wainscoting for the Fireplace
Turn your fireplace into the true center of your home with the modern wainscoting experts at Wainscot Solutions. Wainscoting for the fireplace will make your fireplace standout in the best possible way.
Our mantels are designed with love and care, with the aim of creating a place where you can spend time with your family and share your most important photos and heirlooms.
We can custom build your mantle to incorporate wainscot panels above and around it to give it a truly unique look. Contact us today to find out more about our modern wainscot solutions and fireplace surrounds.
