Fireplaces Enhance Architectural Appeal of Gerstad Builders Homes

Feb. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- McHenry, Ill.—Gerstad Builders, one of the largest builders of McHenry County real estate, understands the importance of designing a home that showcases a buyer’s individual preferences while accentuating visual aesthetics and promoting enhanced resale values. Because of this, the builder offers buyers a variety of energy efficient fireplace options that complement home designs.

Buyers have several energy efficient fireplace options to choose from that decrease back draft and bring heat back to the rooms of their McHenry County real estate (http://www.gerstadbuilders.com). For those who want a traditional wood-burning fireplace, the installation of glass doors works well to eliminate back draft, and wood-burning or gas log fireplaces built around a prefabricated metal insert are efficient in bringing heat back into a room.

A direct vent fireplace, used with gas logs, does not have a traditional chimney that runs to the peak of the roofline; instead, the chimney runs out of the back of the fireplace. This design reduces installation costs and keeps most of the heat produced by the gas logs inside the home.

“The fireplace enhances a room’s appearance by creating a central focal point and accentuating various features,” said Roger Gerstad, president of Gerstad Builders. “For instance, stone or brick running from floor to ceiling can emphasize the room’s height and volume space.”

Homebuyers may choose from a variety of fireplace looks including brick, stone ceramic and marble. Different designs such as two-sided corner or three-sided styles allow the fireplace to be positioned in different locations in the room.

To view the visual impact fireplaces have on a home’s interior, Gerstad Builders showcases a variety of designs in its professionally decorated models at Liberty Trails in McHenry; The Trails of Dawson Creek, featuring Poplar Grove real estate (http://www.gerstadbuilders.com); and Bailey Estates in Williams Bay.

For more information about fireplaces and Gerstad Builders communities, interested buyers may contact 815-385-4495 or visit http://www.gerstadbuilders.com.

Gerstad Builders is one of the largest homebuilders in McHenry County and was voted the No. 1 builder in McHenry County in 2003, 2004 & 2009. In 2008 the company received from Professional Builder Magazine the AVID Diamond & AVID Cup Awards for Best Customer Experience in the United States and North America. Gerstad has built homes in Elgin, Bartlett, Grayslake, Richmond, Poplar Grove, Streamwood, Crystal Lake, Batavia, Addison, McHenry and Williams Bay of Wisconsin.