When winter time approaches and the weather gets chilly or even just on a cold night, people need to keep themselves warm. And what would be an ideal fixture to use? Right, a fireplace.

Many people associate a fireplace with stone or brick. They see the structure as something sturdy and permanent. True enough, a stone fireplace evokes strength and durability. Its unique beauty is sure to last for a long time.

But other than its strength, what makes a stone fireplace great is its versatility. In other words, it can fit in any type of environment whether it's situated indoor or outdoor.

Stone fireplace designs are, no doubt, one of the most durable and safest today. The material alone is hard and fire resistant which therefore translates to a safe home free from fire hazards. As long as homeowners follow the proper ways to maintain it, their families can enjoy the warmth they need when the occasion calls for it.

When planning your stone fireplace design, you have two choices. You can use either the real bulky stone or just the lightweight veneer stone. Each has its pros and cons which is why you need to plan well before deciding which material to use.

Real stones are hard but difficult to work with owing to their weight. They can be quite expensive as well and may not be suitable for those who are on a budget. One reason for the high price of stone is the need for shipping from one country to another especially when you live in an area where the material is not readily available.

But if you really want to go for the genuine stone, you may just want to use it on the outer part of your fireplace to save on costs. You may also want to add the material to the back part of the hearth to achieve a purely stone fireplace design but for the other inner portion, you can do away with a stone.

Veneer stones, on the other hand, are lighter in weight and therefore, easy to handle. And just so you know, they're also made from real stones. The only difference is they're just made flatter compared to the genuine and bulky stone. And because of their affordability, the material is very ideal to use.

To create your preferred stone fireplace design, it's recommended to get a contractor to do the work. Working with stones can be a bit tricky and with no masonry experience, it can be quite difficult to make this a do-it-yourself project. And since this is going to be a permanent structure in your home, you surely wouldn't want to have to redo it once you get started. So don't compromise budget over quality.

Additionally, a reason for you to hire a contractor is that there are building codes to follow when installing a stone fireplace especially inside your home. These may vary from state to state and experienced contractors are knowledgeable about this.

Ideas for stone fireplace designs can be taken from various sources. Check out home improvement magazines and websites for great styles you can follow.