At Turnbull Masonry, we install beautiful custom brick fireplaces that enhance the look of homes all throughout Toronto. We welcome you to transform your old, outdated, or broken fireplace and enjoy something new and inspiring. But first… you probably have a lot of questions. See if your question is included below, or simply contact us today to get all your questions answered.

I don’t currently have a working fireplace or chimney—can I still add one? 

Yes! You can always add a new fireplace and chimney onto a home. In fact, it can add a lot of value (and warmth) to your property. This is an investment that pays off for years, as quality fireplaces and chimneys can last for decades with proper care.

Fireplace size—how big of a fireplace do I need to heat a room? 

When it comes to fireplaces you have a lot of options for size depending on the space you are working with. For reference, a fireplace that measures 30”-36” can adequate heat a room around 300 square feet. The larger the fireplace opening, the more space it can comfortably heat. But, a larger fire place comes with higher installation and material costs, so it’s important to find the right fireplace size for your room and budget.

Do I need a certain type of brick?

If you have a wood burning or a gas burning fireplace, there are two types of bricks you need: firebricks and regular bricks. Firebricks are extremely heat resistant and line the core of the fireplace. Regular bricks can be used to line the exterior of the fireplace face because they will not be exposed to the same high heat as interior bricks.

If you have a wood burning fireplace, firebricks are placed inside of the firebox for added protection against fire. 

What if I have a brick fireplace, but I want a stone fireplace instead?

We’ve got you covered! In most cases, brick can be removed and an attractive stone veneer that matches your style can be added to the exterior in its place.  Stone fireplaces are popular and for good reason, they are just as durable as brick fireplaces and they offer a lot of flexibility for design.

Your options for a stone fireplace include:

Faux stone: Made from a mold to look like the real deal, faux stone comes in the largest variety of colors and textures. It can be customized to look any way you want.

Limestone: One of the more affordable options compared to granite or marble, but limestone doesn’t always hold up for as long as pricier stone materials.

Granite: This is one of the highest quality (and priciest) stones you can apply to a fireplace. It is durable and resistant to scratches and heat.

Marble: Right ahead of granite in terms of cost, marble is slightly less durable, but makes up for it with unmatched beauty.

Slate: A mid-range option with a good variety of colors to pick from. It’s easy to maintain and heat resistant.

What type of chimneys are there?

There are three main types of chimneys: gas burning, wood burning, and electric.

Electric fireplaces offer affordability and convenience as they do not require a chimney. Instead of producing a real flame that creates smoke, electric fireplaces simply generate heat with no smoke so they don’t need a chimney. 

Wood burning fireplaces are custom masonry built and installation requires significant modification to a home.

Gas burning fireplaces are considered a mid-range option—something between electric and wood burning fireplaces. They don’t require the same chimney as a wood burning fireplace and are lower maintenance.

Toronto Chimney Installation, Restoration, & Repairs

Find pictures of fireplace faces you like and show them to us. We’d love to help bring your vision to reality.  After all, Turnbull Masonry is your one-stop-shop for chimney installation, restoration, and repairs. Let our experienced team of professionals install the fireplace of your dreams at a cost-competitive price. Contact us today to get a free quote!