fireplace, runner on stairs

[jrb]

A fireplace question for those of you installing a fireplace:

A fireplace in a townhouse is $4,469.00

the fan is $404.00
Thermastat 297.00

For those of you putting in a fireplace, are you buying the fan and thermastat.

For those of you upgrading to an oak or maple staircase, are you buying a runner from Mattamy. I am not sure if the stairs will be slippery without a runner........

[Phase 4 Greenway]

My husband installed the thermostat on the fireplace of our current home after the firplace was installed. It was simple. I think what Mattamy is charging sounds a little over the top. Hope this helps. Also - how much does it cost to upgrade the stairs?

[dvar]

We didn't do either. As Greenway said, we're gonna put a thermostat in afterwards. They're are just like a lightswitch that switches off/on when temperature gets to the set point. We might have to play with the set point a bit as the switch is probably right next to the fireplace and will probably shut off earlier than you want, but will save over $200.

We thought about the fan but decided against it because we're trying to stick with a budget. We're only planning on using the fireplace for room heating and the radiant heat from it will do the job.

Lots of folks get both though so it depends on when/how you plan on using the fireplace.

My brother just installed an aftermarket fireplace in his basement....paid a grand total of $2200 installed! We paid approx $1600 more than he did...he has to do his own mantle but can probably find a nice one for less than $1600 hehe.

[smartsexystylish]

A fireplace question for those of you installing a fireplace:

A fireplace in a townhouse is $4,469.00

the fan is $404.00
Thermastat 297.00

For those of you putting in a fireplace, are you buying the fan and thermastat.

For those of you upgrading to an oak or maple staircase, are you buying a runner from Mattamy. I am not sure if the stairs will be slippery without a runner........


Hey Jrb,

We bought the fireplace and fan kit.
I think we looked into the thermostat and figured we didn't really need it.
The fan kit was a necessity as we'll be putting a flat screen over the fireplace in the niche and we wanted the hot air from the fireplace to blown out instead of at/towards the tv. If I remember correctly I believe that was the reasoning. I'll check with Kevin why we didn't get the thermostat again to make sure.

[Style]

We also went with Kevin and Dion and got the fireplace and fankit to blow the hot air in the great room and away from the lcd tv that will be mounted above the fireplace!
We also went with a all Oak staircase but didnt take the runner! If you are gonna spend that kind of money on the stairs you want to make it a showpiece and by adding a runner you are taking away the look of the all oak stairs! Not to mention the staples they will drive through your stairs to hold the runner in place!
We have a all oak staircase now and it is slippery at times and heck they matched the stairs so close to the hardwood that numerous family members have slipped on the last stair as they mistaken it for the bottom and fell! Even ME!:o But I love the look of a ALL OAK staircase but thats just one opinion!

[dvar]

In case anyone's wondering about PLASMA TVs, no worries above the fireplace. I have mine above a fireplace right now, plasmas operate at a pretty high temperature on their own. From what I have read as long as the temperature isn't 90degrees or above you're safe. I did put a small shelf beneath the tv, not sure if that mattered but it would be similar to a mantle as far as the heat going straight up behind the set etc.

I have no clue about LCDs other than none of my computer LCDs generate heat.

I checked a few websites and they said to tape a thermostat above the fireplace and leave it on. If the temp rises to 90 or above they recommend finding a new spot for the tv.

[jrb]

Thanks for the info on the fireplace.....i never even thought about the potential heat on a TV that is mounted on top.....LOL

I will cross off the $297.00....on my list yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will do a thermastst after the fact.......

I will also cross off the runner.......another $465.00 plus 43.00 saved on the underpad.....LOL.....if i need one i will do that after the fact.

Greenway, for the townhouse I have "Southgate End".....oak staircase with R3C rail is $2548.00 plus $1,362.00 [stain and paint] plus 554.00 for Victorian Newel Post.......

I want the riser, stringer and pickets painted the rest stained...I want to match what they did in the Greenway model......instead of white on the riser etc.......it was more of a tan colour.....and Im really liked how it looked. I may match that hardwood colour, it was Saddle dundee Plank"

[jrb]

Hi STyle,

Well, when I have people over i will have a warning sign posted...."caution....stairs are slippery use at own risk"......lol....

[smartsexystylish]

Hi Style,

Well, when I have people over i will have a warning sign posted...."caution....stairs are slippery use at own risk"......lol....

LMAO That sign would be meant for me!

I've fallen down (And Up - Yes, I am talented!!) Kevin's stairs a couple times. Luckily he has a landing in the middle so it's not a straight shot that I fall down. HAHA I'm worried for when we get into our house about how many times I will fall! I've never really have stairs before as I've been in a condo for forever.

[Joanne]

I have an LCD above my fireplace and it is just fine. I think having a mantle helps deflect some of the heat away from it. If you plan to have a ceiling fan it helps to circulate the heat from a fireplace somewhat like the fan kit would. It is possible to install a fan kit post close but you will need an electrician b/c there is no outlet for the fan kit.

[Style]

Thanks for the info on the fireplace.....i never even thought about the potential heat on a TV that is mounted on top.....LOL

I will cross off the $297.00....on my list yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will do a thermastst after the fact.......

I will also cross off the runner.......another $465.00 plus 43.00 saved on the underpad.....LOL.....if i need one i will do that after the fact.

Greenway, for the townhouse I have "Southgate End".....oak staircase with R3C rail is $2548.00 plus $1,362.00 [stain and paint] plus 554.00 for Victorian Newel Post.......

I want the riser, stringer and pickets painted the rest stained...I want to match what they did in the Greenway model......instead of white on the riser etc.......it was more of a tan colour.....and Im really liked how it looked. I may match that hardwood colour, it was Saddle dundee Plank"


Jrb, I'm pretty sure you will be able to get the stairs and pickets stained for something between 900 and 1000! Thats what we paid to get our all oak staircase stained it wasnt the 1300 it stated! They should clear that up at your design appointment! My oak stairs cost the same 2500 that yours did as I went with the upgraded pickets as well! Good Luck!

[Phase 4 Greenway]

Thanks for the info about the stairs. Good to know. I'm trying to figure out the priority list for upgrades even though our closing is still far away! This site is great! Thanks neighbours for all the help!

[jrb]

I am still looking into the fireplace..........LOL

I asked my design consultant if the fireplace in the Southgate end is the type that juts into the room or the outer wall is extended out....

The one in the Southgate end, juts out in the room......about 2 feet from what the design consultant said........

The Southgate end has a corner fireplace, so I asked if i could have that. Originally the answer I got back was no, that it was only available in the Southgate Corner. I asked the question again, as the Southgate Corner is almost identical to the Southgate End. The only reason I didnt buy the corner was that I did not want all that front yard at the side....LOL.....I want no grass, just perrenail gardens...LOL

I reasked the question about the fireplace in the corner and I am waiting for an answer..........There should be no reason why Mattamy cant put it on a corner........

But, the nice thing about a fireplace that is 2 feet depth, the bigger mantle would be nice........Otherwise the depth of the fireplace is about 6 inches......In the olden days of the wood fireplaces, they always stuck way out in the room....LOL

I was looking at the fireplaces in the models........I think they need tile along the base on the floor to finish the look off.......I am not sure how it would look to use the tile from the kitchen floor there............

JRB

[Style]

In our current house we got a fireplace and our builder which was GreatGulf finished it off very nice by allowing us to select a mantle that had black marble obsolete as it was called! It was black marble at the sides of the glass and also on the base floor which matched up beautifully with our hardwood!
i really didnt see much marble surround choices with mattamy or I would of went that route again!
To me a touch of marble makes the fireplace more classy looking!:D

[Claudia]

we got the stair runner..............I think it looks stunning when you open the front door

but we have a bungalow with a loft (2 bedrooms, seating area and full bath) and our master is on the main floor so with no kids, I probably won't be up stairs very often