A wood burning fireplace makes use of logs to generate fuel for the flames. It is a tradition in the use of fireplaces. Many of today’s wood fireplace inserts offer a handsome visual attraction to your home and surprisingly, they are easy to install!

Pros of Wood Burning Fireplaces

1. Authentic fireplace experience

It gives you the experience of a genuine fire – the sight, sound, smell and ambiance – that you will never achieve from gas or electric fireplace.

2. Affordable

While gas fueled fireplaces do not come that expensive, wood can cost you virtually nothing! Gathering wood in your own yard will let you enjoy a warm and cozy night by the fire. No other equipment is needed to keep your wood burning fireplace working. All you need is your structure and the wood and you are all set!

 3. Improved energy saving functions

Latest designs increased the efficiency of wood burning fireplaces up to 90%. They can now conserve heat by not letting warm air escape the chimney, letting you save up energy.

4. It can be used for cooking

Once the firewood has burned, you can use the coals and embers as an effective cooking fire which does not cause unwanted flavors in your food. Several cooking items can be used such as grills and Dutch ovens which may be difficult to employ in gas burning pits. Ready yourself for a different cooking experience!

Cons of Wood Burning Fireplaces

1. Difficult to regulate and extinguish

Once the fire is started, it is difficult to regulate the size of the flames. You can make the fire small, moderate to large, by controlling the amount of wood burned. This can be a bit tricky and will require some getting used to.

Wood burning fireplace needs to be doused with water unlike in gas fire pits where you will just need to cut off the source. Also, dousing with water does not ensure that the fire is completely put off. Always double check to avoid accidents. It would be wise to install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector for added protection.

2. Smoky experience

Burning wood can produce lots of smoke depending on the wood being burned. The smoke can be irritating to the eyes, nose and even your throat! People with respiratory problems should be kept well away. Seats should be placed not too close to avoid suffocation but near enough to provide warmth. The smoke can also stain and make your clothes, skin and hair smell.

 3. Requires maintenance

Wood burning fireplaces need cleaning of embers and ash and from time to time to keep them tidy. The pits can also become discolored and stained from the ash and smoke. The cinders are potentially dangerous fire hazards that must be disposed of immediately.

4. Picky on firewood

The wood to be used is a very important consideration. The user must make use of seasoned firewood to achieve best results. Unseasoned wood produces larger amounts of smoke and are more difficult to light.

It is hoped that the wood burning fireplace pros and cons help you decide if it’s the furnace you have always wanted for your home.

The following are the tips to follow before installing a fireplace:

1. Check if your house is suitable for one.

Some houses are located in open areas where there are not many houses packed into one space: A perfect location for a house with a fireplace. On the other hand, people living in cramped, urban areas may need to think twice before installing a fireplace in their home since the smoke from the fire can pose as a health risk to themselves and to the people around them. People who live in these urban areas are left with two options: Either forget installing a fireplace or consider only certain kinds of fireplaces such as electric fireplaces and fireplace inserts.

2. Consider your budget for your fireplace.

Consider the amount of money that you plan to allocate for your future fireplace. Make sure that the budget isn’t too big to the point that you end up sacrificing some of your needs (like gas money, your child’s college fund and the like), and make sure that it isn’t too small to the point that you can only afford a limited variety of fireplaces.

3. Install one that will compliment the design of your house.

A fireplace for homes should be a fireplace that compliments the house and its owners. After all, fireplaces nowadays also serve as decoration for one’s home and he should at least make the fireplace compliment its design. Otherwise, the worst that could happen is that the fireplace looks like a hole drilled in the wall with a fire inside it, and that doesn’t look very inviting nor calming as fireplaces should be.

4. Make sure that the fireplace you’re installing complies with environmental standards.

These environmental standards were created for your safety and for the safety of others. If these rules are not followed, you’ll be exposing yourself and others to respiratory diseases such as lung cancer due to the excessive smoke produced by a fireplace that’s noncompliant with the local environmental standards.

5. Make sure that you’re prepared to maintain a fireplace in your home.

A fireplace for homes requires constant maintenance. Make sure that your household is prepared to maintain this on a regular basis. An unmaintained fireplace can be less efficient and can sometimes pose a danger to the household. These things also need fuel to burn, so be prepared to spend time, effort, and sometimes money in order to get the fuel needed for the fire. If you’re not prepared to maintain a fireplace and install one anyway, you’ll be left with another tedious task to do on top of your busy schedules.

These are the things to consider when installing a fireplace for homes. If you consider these tips, you’ll have a safer and better experience with your fireplace.

First, let’s discuss what fireplace screens are for. Their main purposes are the following:

1. They’re to keep children and pets from getting too close to the fire.

If the heat from the fire isn’t enough to warn them that the fire will harm them, then the screen (especially the models made of metal) acts as a gate so that they can’t get too close to the fire even if they wanted to.

2. It’s also to keep the dirt within the confines of the fireplace.

Fireplaces can create a lot of dirt and other particles while it’s burning. Fireplace screens (especially the ones that completely cover it up) keep these unwanted particles within the fireplace so that the user can clean only the fireplace of dust and ash and not the places surrounding it.

3. It makes the fire behind it a safer spectacle.

Everyone wants to watch the fireplace burning every now and then, but sometimes, the fire can get a little bit too big and start burning the surrounding areas; putting everyone in danger. A fireplace screen is used to keep this from happening and makes the people who are watching it feel safer and more confident that the fire won’t turn the place into a burning wreck.

Since we’ve already discussed what fireplace screens are for and they serve as the advantages of owning one, let’s discuss the downsides of a fireplace screen:

1. It makes cleaning the fireplace a more tedious task.

Though it makes the fireplace safer for the household, fireplace screens serve as a hindrance especially when it’s time to clean the fireplace. One must remove the screen completely in order to reach the fireplace and clean the dirt out of it which is an already tedious task even without the screen. Some manufacturers have taken this into account and have added doors to some of their models.

2. One must also clean the fireplace screen along with the fireplace.

Everything comes with a cost, and the fact that fireplace screens keep the dirt from the fireplace within its confines is no exception. Fireplace screens also get dirty over time and one must have to clean it so that the dirt trapped in the screen doesn’t obstruct the view of the fire behind it and to make it easier to start future fires later on.

Now, let’s tackle the subject of where one can buy a fireplace screen:

1. Certain Stores

Certain stores such as home depots and hardware stores sell fireplace screens. One can also be able to pick out a design of his choice and buy it on the spot. The downside is that he has to travel directly to the store and sometimes, he also has to be the one to pick up the fireplace screen and bring it to his home.

2. The Internet

As always, the internet serves as a great place for purchasing items, comparing designs, and reading reviews of the said items. One can purchase a fireplace screen from the comfort of his own home and do other things since ordering online saves the time used for traveling to the store and picking up the item that he bought since the online store delivers it directly to his doorstep. The only thing that one has to worry about is that he can’t be sure of the quality of the fireplace screen that he bought.

This is what fireplace screens are for, what the downsides of owning one are, and where to get them.

A fireplace door encloses the hearth but still lets you feel its warmth. Some doors are see-through, which lets you enjoy the sight of the blazing flames with no worries that your carpet or furniture will catch fire from the sparks and cinders emanating from your fireplace.

Advantages of Having a Fireplace Door

1. Safety

A fireplace door protects you and your home from the embers and sparks that get blown from the fire. No more worrying that your house will burn if you don’t put out the fire before you sleep or before you leave home. Also, soot and smoke are in no danger of filling up your room because your fireplace door takes care of that!

2. Energy Saving

A specially designed and installed fireplace door lets you conserve energy by not letting air escape through the chimney. Save money on your heating and cooling system by not letting warm air escape on winter and by trapping the cool air indoors during summer.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

True enough that the main reason for adding a fireplace door is functionality, but this fixture can also dramatically increase the beauty of furnace’s façade. You can select from a wide selection of doors for the perfect one that matches the style and feel of your home décor.

Choosing the Perfect Fireplace Door

Now that you are provided the reasons why you should install a fireplace door, you are now in a dilemma of choosing the perfect one. There are several things to consider in selecting a fireplace door.

1. Function and Form

Of course, you should opt for a fireplace door that maximizes the functions of your furnace like conserving energy and providing safety without compromising style.

2. Efficiency and Cost

Choose fireplace doors that provide greater efficiency and comfort. These doors might initially cost you more than the competition, but if they operate with less cost and maintenance, your investment will surely pay off.

Types of Fireplace Door

There are several types of doors that you can choose from to best suit your needs.

1. Glass doors are made decorative by adding other elements in its metal frame. It works well in keeping heat or cold air inside the house. Styles and finishes include solid brass, brass plated steel, welded steel, iron, aluminum, granite and many more.

• Tempered glass – does not permit heat to pass thru the glass, thus vents are required to provide adequate warmth.
• Ceramic glass – allows radiant heat to pass thru glass thus warming inside air. Ceramic type of door costs more but ensures greater efficiency and added comfort.

The glass can heat up, thus pets and children should not be allowed to touch the surface when in use or immediately after.

2. Mesh door offers protection from the sparks but does not conserve energy well. However, it’s the cheapest option and requires minimal maintenance.

If the doors you find in shops do not fit the size, shape or design requirements of your fireplace, you can always have the customized to your satisfaction.

First, let’s tackle the advantages of owning a fireplace insert:

1. It’s more efficient than its traditional counterpart.

As stated earlier, fireplace inserts do a better job at its purpose than its traditional counterpart: to keep a room warm. They do this job better since these inserts are practically a closed box with vents and a fire in it; trapping all the heat and releasing it back into the room thus, keeping the room warm.

2. It’s easier to start a fire with an insert

In order to start a fire in a traditional fireplace, one must have to gather the materials (which include a lot of heavy equipment such as axes and something to carry all the collected firewood in), set up the fireplace, and tend to the fledgling fire for a while until it can sustain itself. In contrast, all that one has to do in order to do the same thing in a fireplace insert is to press a button (which is even in a remote in some models). Therefore, the insert will save a lot of time and energy in terms of operating it.

Next, let’s tackle the downside of owning a fireplace insert:

1. It’s expensive.

The fancy addition to your house, the easy to start fire, and the more efficient heating system that it has comes with literally, a heavy price. If one’s still willing to have all the amenities that fireplace inserts bring despite its price tag, then this factor shouldn’t be a problem for him.

2. One needs an existing fireplace to insert it

Until a freestanding version has been invented, one must have an existing fireplace to insert the fireplace insert; hence its name. It’s also not recommended to use an insert without placing it within a fireplace since it’s incredibly dangerous to do so.

Lastly, let’s briefly discuss the places where one can buy fireplace inserts:

1. A Dealer

Fireplace inserts can be bought from dealers scattered throughout the country, and since there are many of them; one has plenty of designs to choose from. Although one can ensure good quality from these dealers, it’s a bit of a hassle to travel to their dealership and do business there.

2. The Internet

One can also buy fireplace inserts from the internet. Though the idea of buying these inserts from the comfort of one’s own home sounds like a good idea, one must be wary that the quality that comes from directly buying an insert from an internet dealer can’t be ensured.

These are the pros and cons of owning a fireplace insert and where to buy them.

First, let’s discuss the advantages of owning one:

1. It’s safer

Compared to the traditional fireplace, which creates an uncontrollable and sometimes dangerous flame, its electric counterpart is safer in the sense that one can easily adjust the flame by either adjusting a few valves on the model itself before activating it, or in some cases, even use a remote to adjust the flames while the flame is burning.

Aside from that, the electric fireplace also has one key safety feature: It automatically shuts off when it has a defect in it. These defects (such as a frayed wire) can be dangerous to the user and his household. The manufacturers have kept this in mind and have added this key feature in order to make the user’s experience safer. On the other hand, traditional fireplaces don’t have this feature and the user has to manually put out the fire whether there’s a danger or even if he just wants to put out the fire for whatever reason.

2. It’s portable

An electric fireplace is compact. Therefore, it can easily fit in the trunk of one’s car for transport. This is an important feature especially for those who change their addresses frequently.

3. Some models can be used as a heater

While some models are practically for decorative uses only, other models have also been made to be used as a heater. Whether it is a bigger flame or a more efficient design, these functional models don’t just give its owner another interesting spectacle to look at.

Next, let’s tackle why one shouldn’t own an electric fireplace:

1. It’s more expensive than a heater

Both electric fireplaces and heaters use electricity, but the former has a bigger price tag and a decorative use as well. If one’s looking just for something to make his home warmer and has a low budget for it, he’d be better off buying an electric heater.

2. One can distinguish an electric fireplace from a real one

Despite all the safety features, portability, and heating properties that it has, an electric fireplace still can’t seamlessly replicate the spectacle and experience that can be achieved by using a real fireplace to the point that one doesn’t need a trained eye to distinguish between the two

3. It can’t be used outdoors

Unfortunately, all electric fireplaces are meant for indoor use. If one’s an outdoorsman and wants to have a fire pit that’s easier to set up when camping, it’s best for him to forget considering an electric fireplace as an option since these are sensitive to the elements and are more prone to wear and tear when used outdoors.

These are the pros and cons of owning an electric fireplace. If you’re willing to spend some extra cash on a heater, this decorative spectacle for your home is best for you.

Here are the tips to consider:

1. Check out the options

In setting up a fireplace for apartments, one must take into account the fact that he is setting up something that was meant to be used in an open space rather than a small, cramped space like an apartment. Though slightly limited, one still has a several options to choose from. He can do one of the following:

1. Get your landlord’s approval and install a traditional fireplace in his apartment

Though very costly, it’ll be well worth it if one succeeds in having a traditional fireplace installed in his apartment, but first, he will have to go through several obstacles before he can do so. The first obstacle is his landlord. One must get his approval before even thinking about installing a fireplace in his apartment. Another obstacle is the price tag. Many fireplace installers tend to charge more for those who wish to have a fireplace installed in an apartment since doing so is a more difficult job compared to doing the same thing in a traditional home.

1. Install a different kind of fireplace

Thanks to advances in technology, one can install a fireplace for apartments without the need for his landlord’s approval by installing a different kind of fireplace. These kinds include the electric and the newer gel fueled types. They don’t need to be spent much effort on in terms of installation and they don’t generate any harmful gases so one doesn’t need his landlord’s approval before purchasing it.

2. Be prepared to maintain it and sometimes, even dispose of it.

The landlord won’t be happy if one asks him to maintain his fireplace for him. As a result, one must maintain the fireplace himself. Whether it is cleaning it or buying fuel for it, he must do these things without the help of his landlord as much as possible.

In the cases where one bought the alternative kinds of fireplaces (such as the ones mentioned earlier) without the landlord’s approval, one must be ready to dispose of them anytime when he decides that the fireplace must go. After all, if the landlord decides that the fireplace must be disposed of, he’s usually thinking about the safety of himself, you, and the other residents who live in his apartment complex.

3. Make sure that the fireplace doesn’t disturb anyone else.

Even if one gets the approval of his landlord for a fireplace to be installed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he also has the approval of the residents who live near him. He must make sure his fireplace doesn’t disturb the other residents by making sure that any of the risks of a fireplace set up in an apartment are taken care of.

These are the tips anyone has to consider so that they can get the best possible experience out of their fireplace even if it’s not a fireplace for apartments.

Advantages of an Outdoor Fireplace Kit

1.Gives you warmth and light

Outdoor fireplace kits lets you enjoy nature and the nighttime sky by keeping you warm on those cold nights. The firelight also release a subtle, warm glow perfect for those romantic dinners you have always been dreaming of.

2. Keeps bugs away!

One reason why you can’t party outside is that you don’t like getting bitten by bugs. Well, your outdoor fireplace makes air warm enough to drive mosquitoes and other bugs away. Enjoy the night without having to deal with these pesky companions.

3. It is the perfect aesthetic add-on.

It helps you modify and enhance the feel of your yard or patio. Draw your guests’ attention to this great centerpiece by experimenting with the use of different materials like copper, stone or other elegant metalwork, whichever complements the overall style and design of your outdoor.

4. Lets you roast those mallows!

Yes, an outdoor fireplace kit lets you do some cooking. No need to go camping in a far-off place just to let your kids savor the experience of roasting hot dogs and their favorite marshmallows. Do it in the safety and comfort of your own yard!

You can also cook full meals if you have ample knowledge with the use of outdoor fireplaces. There are different add-ons like grills and screens. Just be careful so there won’t be any accidents or burning of things other than the food you are cooking.

5. It is portable

You read it right; some kits are portable but not all! Some furnaces are as good as the assembled ones, so once you install them, they become a permanent fixture in your patio.