When it comes to fireplaces, there are three main types of units that you can choose from including fireplace inserts, zero clearance fireplaces and freestanding fireplaces. Below is a brief description of these types of fireplaces. This article will also discuss some of the common fireplace styles that many are using to design their homes.

Types of Fireplaces

The fireplace insert is specifically designed for being installed in an existing fireplace location. This is the best option to changing your fireplace to another fuel source. The most popular option for many in gas fireplace inserts.

Zero clearance fireplaces are specifically designed for those who have minimal space between the fireplace and combustible materials like studs and wallboard.

Lastly, there are freestanding fireplaces, which are perfect for places where you need supplemental heating such as basements.

Fireplace Styles

Fireplace manufacturers are staring to offer more styles and features to their fireplace options in order to meet consumer demands and in an effort to offer more than their competitors do. The most popular styles of fireplaces today are the corner fireplace and the see through fireplace. However, consider some of the more popular options below so you can find a design that interests you or works well with your home design.

The first is an outdoor fireplace, which is an excellent addition to a location where the family and friends can gather. The most popular option is the outdoor brick fireplace which can also increase the marketability and value of your home should you choose to sell.

The second option is the corner fireplace, which is perfect for smaller living spaces such as apartments, condominiums, lofts or single-family homes. A corner fireplace will make the perfect focal point of a room. A corner electric fireplace also provides a very convenient installation point.

Next is the multi-sided island fireplace. With this option, you get a style that is attractive as well as functional. These fireplaces will effectively radiate heat in multiple directions due to the open four-sided design of the fireplace.

Then there is a see thru fireplace, which can provide a unique barrier between two main rooms or a gathering location. With this option, you get not only a room divider, but you also get two beautiful fireplaces for the price of one.

Alternatively, consider the peninsula gas fireplace, which gives you a dramatic design that is visually appealing with three open viewing sides as well as a very energy efficient heating option.

Lastly, there is the fireplace stove option. This will provide your home with a traditional appearance that will last for many generations to come.

No matter which type or style of fireplace you choose you will be making an excellent addition that adds to the value of your home. Take the time to carefully consider all your options and choose a design that both works with your home and is a pleasing choice that shows off your unique style. With so many options to choose from you are sure to find the perfect choice.



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Coordinated Fireplace and Hearth Products are the Secret To Making Your Fireplace the Focal Point of Your Room

By nature, fire places attract attention to an area, which is a reason the hearth is a common gathering point for so many people. The addition of a couple of wall sconces on each side of the mantle is a wonderful way to draw attention to your fireplace. But for a truly unified look that can’t help but make the fireplace mantle the focus of your room, try using coordinated fireplace hearth products made of similar materials and decoration. Log holders, accessories, firescreens, rugs, and wood baskets can be coordinated to unify the hearth space and make it the envy of all your guests.

Firebacks

Even though firebacks were popular throughout the 18th century in North America, they were actually invented in Europe with roots going much further back. But, in both the New and Old World, their popularity faded to all but collectors and true fireplace fanatics. However with energy costs sky rocketing to record breaking levels, everyone is looking to extract more of their heating needs from different sources like fireplaces, although they’re also looking for the most effective fireplace available. Fireplace firebacks are constructed with cast iron and retain heat (and therefore provide warmth to the room) for a long time after a fire has burned out.

Fireplace Grates

Fireplace grates are a requirement if you like to burn a wood fire in the fireplace. The grate is elevated above the surface of the hearth floor to allow air to feed the flame from underneath. It also alllows the ashes from the burning wood to fall so they do not smother the flame. When picking a grate for the fireplace it is extremely important to measure your fireplace opening correctly. You’ll need the width of your fireplace opening in the back and front (if it tapers) plus the depth of the opening to find the perfect fireplace grate. Allow a 1 to 2 inch clearance on each side.

Hearth Accessories

The amount of fireplace accessories on the market for the fireplace hearth seem only to be limited by your creativity with some of the more popular choices being: wood holders, firesets, and firescreens. But do not forget about the other accessories such as fireplace rugs that can add extra pleasure to your evening in front of the fireplace. They are also good presents for people who have everything already. Who couldn’t use a fireplace bellow ?

Fireplace Tools

What fireplace hearth isn’t more complete with some fireplace tools neatly placed to the side? While people may use them just as a stylish element in a room, firesets are some of the most necessary fireplace accessories especially if you plan on burning a real wood fire in your fireplace. In general, fireplace tool sets come with a poker, tongs, a broom, and a shovel. Everything that’s necessary in order to keep the fire burning and the hearth clear of wood debris. Keep in mind, not all fireplace tool sets are created equal. You will find a huge selection of styles, materials, finishes, and prices. If you’re looking for a tool set that is reliable enough to last a long time, then a wrought iron or brass set will be the way to go. Once you have chosen the level of quality you are looking for, then decide on a finish that will go with the rest of your other decor.

Fireplace Screens

While we all love to sit and relax by our fireplace after working hard all day, the truth is that our hearth space is an extremely dangerous placeparticularly for those of us who have both kids AND animals! Trapped gases inside the wood might cause sparks to fly from your fire. Wrought iron fire screens are necessary to safeguarding your family and house from the hazard of flying embers. They’re essential, but when coordinated correctly with your decor, it adds an individual sense of character and style to the space. So while you can get the standard screen for the fireplace that simply protects your floors and family, you can also match and coordinate the design features with the other decorations in the house for a more distinctive and full look. With that in mind, fireplace screens become decorations in their own sense.

Log Baskets and Wood Holders

Keep your firewood stored neatly with a log basket or log holder. These popular accessories for the fireplace typically appear to be more ornamental than practical, and many people use them to store their favorite magazines. But don’t undervalue the functionality of the wood basket. Lets face it, if you are burning a wood fire, where do you plan to hold your wood for the evening? Wood holders have a built in handle so you will be able to take them to your wood pile for an easy refill when needed. Standing log holders generally have a detachable log tote made of thick cloth or leather that can also be used to easily move your logs from the log pile to the log holder. Match the design and finish with your other fireplace accessories for a more complete look.

For more information and tips on fireplace gloves or fire glass screens, please visit FireplaceScreensEtc.com and sign up to receive a FREE Quick Guide to buying appropriate fireplace accessories for your home.



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Fireplaces come in many shapes and sizes. There are also different types of fireplaces, including Wood Fireplaces, Gas Fireplaces, Electric Fireplaces, Traditional Fireplaces, Stone Fireplaces

Wood Fireplaces

There used to be a time when the most suitable material for the fireplace and the mantel was marble, stone, or simple bricks and mortar. Nowadays, many houses substituted it with wood, or have a significant amount of wood fitted in and around it. Wood fireplaces can enhance beauty and warmth to a home on top of being energy efficient. Wood fireplaces are now available in a wide assortment of designs from modern to rural and everything in between. The newest designs include multi-view wood fireplaces, wood fireplaces with unique surrounds and mantels and see-through wood fireplaces.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces are an outstanding options to wood burning fireplaces. They offer the warmth and comfort of a fire without splitting, hauling, or stacking wood. They are low-maintenance appliances that’s why a lot of people buy them. Gas fireplaces are growing popular significantly each year. The popularity of gas fireplaces is growing substantially every year. The high demand for gas fireplaces has produced a spike in production.

Stone Fireplaces

This other type of fireplace has one of the most traditional looks. A stone fireplace can look gigantic with large stones reaching up the chimney to the room’s ceiling, or it can look fragile with a white, carved stone fireplace surround. The stone fireplace can fit into any fashion of decorating. It can also bring a natural texture and color into a room. Stone fireplaces are usual in older and newer homes. The size of the fireboxes will establish the size of the fireplace needed. The firebox is the interior where the fire will be burning. Older stone fireplaces did not come with doors, but with screens.

Cast Iron Fireplaces

Those who have homes with very little room for a fireplace will like the cast iron fireplaces. This type can be put up in a home using just a cement slab, the size of the fireplace and a fire proof stone wall at the back. It will require venting into a chimney, or outside, according to your municipal codes. Cast iron fireplaces and stoves are perfect for small areas. Cast iron fireplaces create a smokeless fuel fire so they are appropriate for interiors.

Traditional Fireplaces

The most recognizable type of fireplace is the typical “wall-mounted” design found in living rooms, dens, and even bedrooms. It may be consisted of brick, cement, stone, ceramic, or some mixture of these materials. The opening will typically be covered with a metal or glass screen of some type. Fireplaces of this kind often are surrounded by an exterior mantle, which can be made of wood, stone, brick, marble, metal, or some other material. Mantle styles can vary from unadorned to stylish to ornate to fanciful. Due to their importance, they often set the decorative tone for the whole room. Mostly they use wood for fuel, but some can also burn peat, coal, and other materials. Fireplaces of this type are not for the most part energy-efficient.



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An electric fireplace heater is an excellent combination of attractiveness and functionality. When looking to add a decorative touch to a room, choose an electric fireplace heater for warming the temperature and adding coziness to a room, opposed to an ordinary space heater. Electric fireplace heaters simulate the look of a fireplace, but clearly do not actually burn gas or wood like a traditional fireplace. As a result, here are no added inconveniences or expenses from storing firewood or installing gas lines into your home.

You might ask yourself a few questions about fireplace heaters. How exactly does a fireplace heater work? Well, the heat generated from a fireplace heater comes from electricity, so there is no need for a chimney to vent fumes or smoke like a traditional fireplace. Instead, the heat radiating from the electric fireplace heater is completely clean and free of all unhealthy or unclean material that comes from a fireplace such as smoke, carbon monoxide, soot, and creosote. As a heater, an electric fireplace is also very efficient; all the heat is released directly into the room instead of escaping up a chimney. Unlike central air or heating, which would wastefully heat an entire home, an electric fireplace only warms the immediate room where heat is needed. For pennies, one can use a fireplace heater to economically, conveniently, and efficiently warm a room.

Now think about it, why would I want a fireplace heater, how will it help me? The visual appeal of a fireplace is universally known. Traditional fireplaces are most likely limited to large homes that can accommodate additional space and the chimney necessary for installation. With an electric fireplace heater it is possible to have a fireplace where they would not normally be found. For example, places that would not be able to accommodate a fireplace would be a condo, an apartment, a small house, an office, a high rise building, a boat, or an RV, and can now enjoy the warm glow of a fireplace. The look of an electric fireplace heater is surprisingly realistic. The electric fireplace heater has light bulbs to simulate the smoldering of a fire right down to the glowing embers.

The last thing that concerns the general consumer is installation. Installation of an electric fireplace heater is extremely easy. Most electric fireplace models will run on a standard 120-volt home electrical circuit with no need of special wiring. It is simply a matter of positioning the unit and plugging it in for fast and easy warmth. There is no need for difficult construction to install our electric fireplace heaters; just a nearby electrical outlet! Unlike a traditional fireplace, an electric fireplace heater is also totally portable. It would be very easy to move the electric fireplace heater from one part of the room to another if you did not like where the electric fireplace was positioned or if you wanted to focus the heat output to another part of the room. Also, once you light a fire in a traditional fireplace, you have very little control over the amount of heat coming from the fireplace. With an electric fireplace heater the heat settings are completely adjustable. You have control to adjust an electric fireplace to send out minimal or maximum heat, depending on your preference. Also you have the option of turning off the heating function and using your electric fireplace heater simply as a decorative item!



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While we all love the sight of a roaring hot fire there are lots of different fireplaces that you will find. These many different fireplace designs are in their own way quite lovely to look at. You will see many great looking designs for fireplaces in old homes and also in stores that design and build these fireplaces.

The main fireplace designs that we are acquainted with are those of the large square fireplace type. You will however find other types of fireplaces. The design shapes of some these fireplaces can be in the modern look of electric fireplaces. With these fireplaces you will find that a small cubicle has been made in the wall. The cubicle is square in design shape.

The various wires that are needed to connect this fireplace to the electricity mains will be located behind the fireplace. You will also find that the front face of the fireplace resembles logs. This is just one of the fireplace designs that will enhance the look of your living room without having to worry about the possibility of ashes. You can also look for other fireplace designs in catalogs for your home.

While looking for various fireplace ideas is one of the best ways to choose the type of fireplace you would like to sit before you will need to think about some other matters first. The first detail you will need to consider is whether you wish to have a wood burning fireplace or a gas fireplace. You can even think about installing an electrical fireplace. This decision needs to be at the top of your plans for fireplace designs.

The next item that you should think about is where you will need a fireplace. Also in what section of the room should the fireplace be installed? While these questions may seem trivial there are good reasons for having these questions answered before you start the building process. The main reason is simply having an idea about the dimensions you require your new fireplace to have.

Sometimes when you are looking at the many fireplace designs that abound you will see brick fireplaces with jutting out mantels made of faux wood. At other times you will see fireplaces that have never been used – these fireplaces are lined with white marble – they are merely for decorative purposes. Other fireplace designs that are now in use are tile fireplaces.

The tiles that are selected for these fireplaces are very beautiful. They help to reflect the fire and the heat in a way that we will find comforting. These are just a few of the many fireplace designs you will find. As you search for the perfect fireplace for your home take a moment to think about the look and feel you want from a fireplace and then you will know which of the fireplace designs to look for.



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Fireplaces add a great deal of charm and elegance to your home. Besides, if your home is conventionally designed, then a fireplace would be perfect to complete the look or your home. If you are looking forward to have a fireplace designed for your home or have your old fireplace renovated, then you could consider checking out the wide variety of fireplace designs that are available at fireplace warehouse.

Fireplace Warehouse is also one of the largest fireplace retailers selling gas.  Fireplace Warehouse stores are located in Burnley, Bolton and Oldham. You could also buy from Fireplace Warehouse online. The store features a display of live gas fire flames. This display is also one of the largest of its kinds in Britain.

The collection of fireplace designs that are featured on the site of Fireplace Warehouse are not only versatile but have also won several awards. Other than this, the store features a fireplace designs that are both are modern and yet have a periodic touch to them. You could also buy old Georgian or Victorian styled fireplace designs from the site. The traditional fireplace designs that are found on the site are featured in a comprehensive collection.

The fireplace designs are available in timber, marble and stone, which are of the finest quality. In fact, quality for reasonable process is the mantra that the fireplace warehouse works in accordance with. This is one of the reasons why most customers of fireplace warehouse are more than satisfied with the service of the store.

The periodic fireplace mantels are available in designs that were popular from the Georgian to the Victorian period as well. These periodic mantels are designed in a fine manner in workshops that have highly skilled labourers. Thus, you can be sure that the designs and quality of work that you buy from the site is nothing less than the best.

If you prefer modern designs and live in an apartment where in you want to have a fireplace, then you could choose to but the contemporary loft apartment fireplace designs that are available at the store. The modern designs of fireplaces that are featured at the fireplace warehouse feature less of designs and works, but look very elegant and artistic.

On the other hand, if you are looking forward to buy stone or marble fireplaces, then you will definitely be impressed by the artistic designs that the store has in the offering. The marble fireplaces look quite luxurious and stylish and will definitely offer a charming and brilliant look to your home.

You could also buy wood and electric fireplaces on the site. The timber fireplaces are quite popular amongst the customers. Apart from this, you can buy stoves and fireplace surrounds from the store in Burnley, Bolton and Oldham. There is a wide variety of stoves and fireplace surrounds that is available at Fireplace Warehouse. In fact, since the old style stole is gaining popularity, you could also buy these from the store.

Besides, since, fireplace Warehouse is a popular store, you can be free and buy the fireplaces of your choice through credit card transaction.



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Winter means bad weather in many parts of the United States.  And bad weather means power failure for many people.  In cold weather be prepared to use your fireplace or woodstove to keep your home warm until your power is restored.  What do you need to do to be prepared?  Here we will review what you need to do in preparation along with what to do in the midst of the power failure and also after the power has been restored. 

Be Prepared!  Long before you lose your power you need to be ready for it.  You never know when the power will go out (or how long before you get your power back).  Here’s your To Do List for preparing your fireplace before the power failure:

Ø  Stock up on whatever fuel source you use in your fireplace or woodstove.  If it is wood, make sure you have split and stacked it properly allowing for good air circulation while keeping it dry so it will age properly.  This will allow your fire to burn hotter and minimize the buildup of creosote while making it easier to start and maintain your fire. Also have a good supply of kindling on hand such as Fatwood. 

Ø  Make sure your fireplace or woodstove is in good working order.  If you are not sure, call in a professional to have it inspected.  You may have to use your alternative heat source non-stop for many days.

Ø  Have quality fireplace tools, fireplace screen and fireplace accessories.  You will be using them ALOT!  If you don’t have them, invest in them NOW!  They will make your job significantly easier and fire building safer.  Here are some key fireplace items and why you need them:

§  Fireplace Tools (Shovel, Poker, Tongs and Brush) – helps in the ease of building and maintaining fires and the cleaning of the fireplace after use.  Much safer than trying to reposition burning logs with your hands!

§  Fireplace Screen – critical item to prevent embers from flying out of the fireplace and still allow that necessary heat to flow into the room.  You want to prevent starting a house fire caused from a spark flying out of the fireplace and landing in the room.

§  Fireplace Bellow – building a fire is critical when you have a power failure and you do not want to be struggling to get it started.  Fireplace bellows easily provide the oxygen rich air that helps to get that fire going.  A good flow of air is critical for a successful fire. 

§  Fireplace Andirons – It was discovered many centuries ago that if your fuel material is up off the ground the fire burns better and with less smoke.  Andirons keep your logs off the floor of the fireplace and the vertical front piece of the andirons hold the logs in place and prevent them from rolling out of the fireplace.  Fireplace grates can also accomplish this task.

§  Fireplace Log Holder – this will allow you to keep extra logs by the fireplace.  The fewer times you have to open the door to the outside to get more wood the better.  Every time you open the door you are letting cold air into the house.  Keep it to a minimum by stocking logs in your fireplace log holder.

Get these items stocked and in place before a power outage so you can build the easiest, best fire possible when it is critical to have one.

Ø  Practice building a great fire before the power failure:

§  Make sure your damper is open

§  Place tinder (crumbled paper perhaps) on the fireplace floor between the andirons.  This is material that will catch fire instantly.

§  Place kindling such as Fatwood on top of the tinder.  This is material that will catch fire from the flames of the tinder.

§  Stack several fire logs on top of your fireplace andirons or fireplace grate making sure that everything is spaced about 1/2" apart to allow for good air circulation. Your burning kindling will start the logs burning.

§  Light the tinder with a long match  If you have a problem with back draft (smoke flowing into the room instead of up the chimney), open a window a little before you start the fire to create a flow of air from the outside to inside and up your chimney.  Once the fire has started and the smoke is going up the chimney close the window. 

§  If the flames are not taking off don’t forget to use your fireplace bellow to help the fire get going

§  Keep it going by adding wood from your fireplace log holder as needed and keep the burning logs stacked properly by using your fireplace tools to reposition the logs as they burn down and shift.  When not working on the fire keep your fireplace screen in place to prevent fire embers from entering your room.

Your power is out.  Now what?

Ø  Close off rooms you do not need to use.  The more areas closed off the better.  Let the fire heat only the rooms you need.

Ø  Build that fire and keep it going.

Ø  Fill containers with water and place on your fireplace hearth near the fire.  This is a great source of hot water for multiple uses while your power is out and your water pipes are running cold.  If you are using plastic containers make sure they are placed where they will not melt.

When the power comes back on:

Ø  You may want to continue your fire as your heating system begins to heat the whole house.  Keep in mind if you have only one thermostat and it is in the heated area then you will want to open the doors to the closed off rooms so the heater will kick on.  If this does not cause your heater to start you may need to raise the setting on the thermostat to above room temperature to get it to start.

Ø  Once the need for your supplemental fireplace heat has ended let your fireplace cool completely (this may be longer than 24 hours) before you clean your fireplace using your fireplace tools and prepare it for its next use.

There you have it.  With some good preparation, the next time you have a power failure you will be prepared to use your fireplace to stay warm.  Whether it is a few hours to over a week before you get power back on (depending on how wide spread the outage) if you have prepared properly you will have heat.   

CAUTION!!  Do not bring into your home or garage BBQs, gas fueled generators, or any other heat generating devices that are designed for outdoor use.  People have died from the undetected gases given off by some of these devices.  Please use caution and be safe when you lose your power and need heat.



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Fireplaces are found in homes across the world in all countries that witness severe cold during the winters and rains. A cozy and warm fire in the fireplace is enough to warm anyone’s heart on a chilly cold day or night. Traditionally built with either stone or brick, these fireplaces had brick faces and wooden mantels with ornate and carved designs on them. The entire fireplace could take up an entire wall of the room. This was considered all right as rooms too were large sized.

Creating a rustic charm

Brick fireplaces are generally found in great numbers in rural houses and cottages in the countryside. With winters being severe and no gas or electricity to provide heat and warmth, fireplaces were an important structure in every home. These fireplaces usually had a wooden mantel, which was decorated with carvings or with other prized treasures by the members of the house.

Since the fireplace was generally considered as the place where all the family members gathered, one finds many old paintings, which feature a brick fireplace when depicting a village scene or portrait.

Brick fireplace designs

Brick fireplaces were designed and built along with the other structures in the house. There are few examples of houses, which added a brick fireplace later on. A brick fireplace also meant a chimney as an outlet for the smoke and soot that was generated from the fireplace.

Any thing wrong with the fireplace meant that the room could be filled with soot that could darken the room and make it difficult to clean up the place. The size of the room and its location were considered before a fireplace could be built.

Replacing a brick fireplace

When wood was the only available material for burning, fireplaces were much in demand. Hence the idea of replacing a fireplace would never arise in the first place. But the invention of gas and electricity led many households to stop using and building brick fireplaces and adopt newer ways of heating up the room. Newer cities and towns also adopted gas and electricity and brick fireplaces came to serve a mere decorative purpose rather than a functional use.

Building a fireplace

If you were the kind of person who likes the old world charm of a country house, you would want to have a fireplace in your home. A fireplace is sure to provide warmth and heat and is a great place for a family get-together or an evening party with friends. You can build a fireplace in your house if you already don’t have one.

What to do before you build a fireplace

Before you begin building a fireplace, you must find out if your house can have a fireplace in the first place. You need to get the necessary permissions from Building Regulations authorities or from anyone else that would be concerned with smoke bellowing out of the chimney of your house.

Once you ensure legalities are in place, you need to find out if a fireplace can actually be built in your house. Since fireplaces take up a lot of space, you must make sure that the fireplace looks like a part of your room and not otherwise.

Materials for building a fireplace

Brick and stone fireplaces need materials such as concrete, bricks and stone besides chisels, hammer, mortar mix, grates and surrounds, water and a professional to help you build the fireplace and the chimney. Most old houses would have traces of a fireplace. You can build the fireplace at the same location.

In case there exists an outlet for the chimney as well, the job becomes easier. If you can find a chimney but no grate available, all you would need to do is to get a professional to install a grate and a sweep to advise you on cleaning it up. In case the fireplace has been blocked, a builder is the right person to advise you.

Replacing a brick fireplace

You can also build a new fireplace in the place of an old one. Using materials like cast iron and supplying gas and electricity, you can combine the rustic charm of a fireplace with clean and easy maintenance. Replacing old fireplaces can be done easily with minimum destruction of existing wall and with the help of professional builders and designers.



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