Masonry vs. Metal Fireplaces: Which Is Best?

While fires have been used by people for tens of thousands of years, fireplaces are relatively more modern since they were only invented during the medieval age several hundred years ago. Today, we have all sorts of fireplaces to choose from and some of the most popular choices are metal fireplaces and stone fireplaces. 

If you are thinking about getting a fireplace, you might be wondering whether the stone or metal option is better for you. After all, they’re both good options but they are both very different. Keep reading and learn more about the details of these fireplaces below.

What You Need To Know About Masonry Fireplaces

While both masonry and metal fireplace options are quite popular and you will see both in a wide variety of homes, stone fireplaces have some benefits that metal fireplaces don’t have. For one, stone fireplaces have an unparalleled sense of rustic design. The very appearance of a masonry fireplace is very warm and cozy. 

It can make your home seem even warmer and more rustic than it really is. This is ideal, of course, if you want to make your home design as rustic and traditional as possible. While a stone fireplace can also fit into a more modern home, you will have to pair it with more care. 

Fortunately, stones are quite versatile and they come in a wide variety of natural colors. So, you shouldn’t have too much trouble making sure that your fireplace matches the rest of your home. The appearance of a stone fireplace is also more intriguing to the eye since it isn’t as sleek and uniform as a metal fireplace. 

The Details

Instead, it consists of many different stones that are all quite unique in terms of color, shape, and size. This is also important due to the fact that your fireplace won’t look like anyone else’s fireplace. Of course, this is only speaking about real masonry fireplaces and not those built from prefabricated materials or superficial stone patterns. 

Another thing about stone fireplaces is that they are very durable. They are arguably more durable than most other types of fireplaces. This is because, after all, natural stone is very hard to mess with or destroy.  

Stone fireplaces are also easy to clean. If you happen to spill ash on the stones or anything else, you can easily scrub the debris away. Because the stones are so firm, you don’t have to worry about scratching them or ruining them with a simple brush or cleaning product. 

This is not to mention that stone fireplaces have a certain kind of elegance that is hard to obtain with other types of fireplaces. It embraces natural shapes and also acts as a focal point within your home. This kind of fireplace will certainly be something that people will notice as soon as they arrive in your home. 

And, of course, you’ll want to spend plenty of time by the warming aura that this kind of fireplace has to offer. 

What You Need To Know About Metal Fireplaces

Just because stone fireplaces are great doesn’t mean that metal fireplaces are second-rate. On the contrary, metal fireplaces have many benefits of their own that stone fireplaces can never hope to have. For one, metal fireplaces can come in all sorts of shapes and interesting designs. 

Stone fireplaces usually need to be designed in a particular way to be structurally sound. But with metal, you can experiment with fireplaces in the middle of the room, against a wall, in a corner, and so on. Besides that, the metal can be made especially thin and you can even incorporate glass so that you can view more of the flames with ease in your fireplace. 

The main benefit of metal fireplaces is that they are so effortlessly modern. After all, metal has that naturally cool and sleek vibe that stone can’t hope to achieve. For that reason, a metal fireplace is a perfect addition to any home that follows a modern or minimalist design. 

Pros and Cons

The metal won’t clash with other, similarly modern shapes and colors. There are also different metal colors to choose from, but black is by far one of the most popular since it is so versatile. Cleaning this type of fireplace is also very easy because, after all, all you need to do is occasionally wipe down the metal on the outside, sweep out the inside, and call it a day.

However, you will have to consider a few minor downsides if you decide to get a metal fireplace. The main downside is that metal fireplaces may crack or rust over time. The metal may rust if it is exposed to water or if the air in your home tends to have a high level of moisture. 

Besides that, cracks may form in the metal if the metal gets too hot. Usually, this only happens once the fireplace has gotten quite old, but even so, this is still something that you need to look out for if you’re thinking about getting a metal fireplace for your home. 

All About Stone and Metal Fireplaces

Both stone and metal fireplaces are very good options to add to your home. A stone fireplace can add a huge boost of rustic design to your home and make the space much warmer and cozier. On the other hand, metal fireplaces add a much more modern and minimalist touch. 

To learn more about these different fireplaces, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our builders here.