Nothing is quite so elegant and welcome in your home as the security and warmth offered by your very own fireplace. For the choosy homeowner, there are a variety of fireplace design ideas you can use to spruce up your place with equal parts class and efficiency.

One of the best choices available to you today can be found in the masonry fireplace designs that will have your family marveling at the architecture, even while basking in its protection from the brittle temperatures of late fall and the winter months.

But before you take the step of installing your very own masonry fireplace design, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Building codes are a fact of life with masonry fireplace designs. In order to install one in your home, you will need to be familiar with, and stick to, the specific building codes that exist in your area. If you wish to cut down on the time and research involved, you may wish to take this issue up with your contractor. He or she will know the specific materials to use in order to keep you within guidelines. Whether you are building a new home or adding to an old one, it is always a good idea to consult a professional, even if you are going to do the work yourself.

• Beware trends! Masonry fireplace designs offer all the benefits of a fireplace with the added bonus of sustained durability. However, that also locks you in when it comes to remodeling. Once your masonry fireplace design becomes a masonry fireplace reality, it is not easy to change. Save yourself the time and trouble of choosing something that will be outdated in five years - which brings you to your options.

• Choose wisely. Look at what is available for ideas on designing your own, or select an existing plan that truly speaks to you. Either way, your final choice will be one you cannot change on a whim. Do not put yourself in the position where you will have to.

• Be thorough in your plans. Have you thought about the actual size of the fireplace? What are its opening dimensions? How big is the hearth, and how will it be supported? What is its depth? Approximately how large or small will your flue be? What method will you use to install the cap? Will there be a saddle or cricket? How will the chimney be run through your roof? Make sure you have detailed plans before you begin, so you can know exactly what to expect out of the "look" of the fireplace and the effects it will have on the rest of your home.

• Energy efficiency does not happen on a whim. How have you planned for this? Is there proper ventilation? Do you use a lot of outside air? What are your fireplace doors made of?

• What will you do with the ashes? You have to clean your fireplace out sometime. Is your design conducive to easy cleanup?

The advantages of a masonry fireplace design far outweigh the drawbacks. The key is to know what you want before you build.