Fireplace Directory

Archive for the ‘Fireplace’ Category

Not a screen, but a decorative piece that would fit tightly inside the fireplace opening to block it off. I googled "fireplace insert" but keep getting gas Fireplaces.

Really, Not a screen? Perhaps a damper? A screen is put in front of the fireplace when not in use but does not block it off. You’re looking for a plug of some sort? Google fireplace plug.

We just bought a house and the fireplace is neither gas or electric. Do I just put wood in the fireplace and open the damper. This is the first house I ever owned with a fireplace. We live in Southern California and it only gets cold in the winter. But I just want to prepare myself. Don’t want to burn the house down or smoke the house if you get my drift. Any suggestions how to start my Fireplace that is neither gas or electric?

First, your fire place should be inspected prior to lighting any fires. The flue should be cleaned of all creosote and to be sure no critters have nested in the flue if there was no chimney cap atop the chimney. Inspection is very important to protect the house from catching fire. After you are certain the chimney is safe, do a draft test. Open the damper. Roll up a newspaper, not too tightly. Light the paper on fire and hold in the firebox like a torch. This should cause an upward draft and show you that the Chimney properly vents up the flue. Now you are ready for a real log fire.

After the inspection and draft test is complete, you are ready to begin. First, make sure there is a metal grate in the firebox. This is a raised metal grate which keeps the logs off of the floor of the firebox. On the metal grate, place a generous layer of crumpled up newspaper. On top of that, cris cross about small 8 to 10 branches (kindling). Then, add a layer of small logs. Light the fire by catching the paper on fire. The kindling will begin to burn. Without disturbing the fire too much, gently place larger logs on the burning kindling by allowing some air space between the logs for the flames to come up and lick the logs to catch them on fire. Then add more logs going in the other direction. Or, you can cheat and get a fire log at the grocery store for about $4.00. All you do is place the fake log, still in the wrapper on the grate inside the fire box and light the corners of the outer wrapper and you have an instant fire for three hours. Do not touch the log because it will fall apart and not burn as long as it should.

I sometimes save an empty paper milk carton to use as a fire starter because those cartons have a layer of wax on them and they burn really hot and make a great addition to starting a speedy fire.

Always have a fire place poker so you can move the burning logs as you add more logs to the fire.
You always have to think of safety first. Never begin a fire unless you have a fire extinguisher in the house. Move stored logs away from the fire. Do not have a rug up against the hearth. Use common sense. Have a fireplace screen so it catches hot embers from poping logs.

If you can find pine cones that have been dipped in copper sulfate, they make a fire turn really pretty shades of blue and orange.

I am not a pyro, but I have been using Wood Stoves and a fireplaces for more years than I care to admit here.

We just bought a house and the fireplace is neither gas or electric. Do I just put wood in the fireplace and open the damper. This is the first house I ever owned with a fireplace. We live in Southern California and it only gets cold in the winter. But I just want to prepare myself. Don’t want to burn the house down or smoke the house if you get my drift. Any suggestions how to start my fireplace that is neither gas or electric?

If you are in SoCal just let the Fireplace be decorative. Our air is polluted enough without adding smoke to the smog.

If you must, check to be sure the Chimney is properly screened (you don’t want an errant spark burning down the whole neighborhood) and have the chimney inspected to be sure it is not cracked from past earthquakes and the fireplace is safe for a fire before you do anything else.

The holidays are just round the corner, and you may be considering installing a new fireplace in your house. After all, a fireplace warms the whole place up, and creates a cozy feeling for the entire family. So perhaps it’s a good idea to consider some new designs for the fireplace.

There are many types of fireplace designs that you may choose from. For example, there are modern designs, contemporary designs (more classic looking), art designs, and many other custom designs. You can also choose to create your fireplace from different types of materials such as stone, brick, concrete, limestone, marble, granite, etc. Here are some important issues to keep in mind when choosing your fireplace designs.

Matches with the overall theme.

The design of your home is already there. So when considering the design for the fireplace, make sure that you choose something that doesn’t look too out of place. In other words, it should be a design that enhances the overall look and feel of the current theme instead of spoiling it. You can always get your contractor to show you a mock up drawing of what the final outcome would look like so that it’s easier to make a decision.

Size of the fireplace.

When you install a new fireplace, it is easy to get carried away and choose a fireplace that is too large for the house. This can happen when you are entranced by an intricate design with lots of details. Generally speaking, the more detailed the design of the fireplace, the larger it needs to be. This is the ensure that the details don’t get lost in a fireplace that’s too small. A fireplace that is too huge steals attention from other center pieces such as the sofa set or a large painting in the living room. What you want is a nice cozy corner. So choose an adequate size for your fireplace.

Types of materials.

This is a huge decision to make when installing a new fireplace with a new design. The type of stone you choose for your fireplace has a great impact on how the fireplace will turn out. Each and every type of material has its own unique characteristics. For example, marble has naturally beautiful patterns on its surface. This will enhance the look of the fireplace. Other materials may have natural grains or they may come with smooth or rough surfaces. The final decision depends very much on your personal taste as well.

Price.

Finally, you have to consider the price of the Fireplace. The price is most affected by the type of materials you choose, the size, and the design. Marble tends to be more expensive. And if you choose a custom design that is elaborate and complicated, that may take more skills and time, which in turn leads to higher cost.

Ultimately, you want to choose designs that look nice and falls within your budget. Of course, you have to be comfortable with the designs as well.

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/fireplace-designs-to-consider-670057.html

Building a fireplace mantel can be a fun and interesting experience. That is because the possibilities are endless! You can building your fireplace mantel using different types of materials such as wood or stone. And the type of material that you choose will give a rather unique look to the fireplace mantel. Of course, it is always better to have some sort of focus. So you have to ask yourself the type of designs that you prefer for fireplace mantels. Here are some suggestions.

Functional designs.

For these designs, you are not too concerned with the aesthetics of the fireplace mantel. You just want something simple that sits nicely in the home. The greatest benefit of functional designs is that because of the simplicity, such fireplace mantels can fit into almost any home.

Traditional designs.

Traditional designs are more sturdy looking, and they tend to be made from strong materials like oak. Such materials give the Fireplace mantels an authentic feel. The designs are kept simple and reserved deliberately.

Classic designs.

The purpose of having classic designs is to ensure that your fireplace mantel never go out of date. Therefore, you are free to use more permanent materials such as stone when building your fireplace mantel. Once built, you would expect the fireplace mantel to be unchanged for ages. Furthermore, similar to functional designs, classic designs can be matched with almost any type of home design. For this reason, classic designs are very popular among homeowners.

Modern designs.

Modern designs are forever changing. They are cutting edge, and they are more daring. But the downside of modern designs is that there is a risk of the design going out of date. When that happens, you may be faced with the problem of having to change the fireplace mantel to another modern design. If you are like keeping up with the times, this type of design is most ideal. You can always create a fireplace mantel out of wood, which can easily be replaced later on.

Antique designs.

If you are looking to build a fireplace mantel in the study room, and the room is full of antique furniture, then perhaps it’s a great idea to match the style of the room by building a fireplace mantel that looks antique. Antique designs are rarer, and harder to come by. Therefore, be prepared to have a fireplace mantel that is custom built.

The design that you choose for the fireplace mantel depends not only on functional issues, but also on your own personal tastes. Do you prefer a Victorian style fireplace mantel? Are you the reserved type who would prefer a traditional design? Asking yourself the right questions will help in the decision making. When the right design has been chosen, the fireplace mantel can provide heat and beauty for the entire family.

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/different-styles-of-fireplace-mantel-designs-690616.html

The fireplace is a structure that serves both function and aesthetic purposes. Usually, fireplaces are very durable and they last for years. So it is important to choose a design that you really like, so that you don’t have to spend resources replacing or modifying it in the future. Here are some creative fireplace design ideas that will help you get started.

Starting from the materials.

When you choose a building material for your fireplace, you have to be aware of the limitations of the materials. Some materials will look nice than others for certain designs. For example, you can choose aluminum as the primary building material for your fireplace. However, you must be aware that although aluminum is fire resistant, it is rather difficult to add complicated patterns to the metal. You may have to settle for classic or more conventional looks. Of course, you can expect the cost to be cheaper.

Stones are more popular choices among homeowners. Although they cost more, you can add more intricate designs to fireplaces that are built from stones. Furthermore, there are many different types of stones to choose from. You can choose a cheaper type of stone like granite or limestone, or you can choose a more expensive type like marble. Different types of stones will have different outer appearances. This will affect the design of your Fireplace.

Drawing inspiration from the surroundings.

Sometimes, homeowners find it difficult to choose a design that fits with the design of the home. So instead of choosing from existing designs, work backwards and draw inspiration from the surroundings. For instance, are there wavy lines around the fireplace? Is the style one that is Victorian or classic? From there, you can start thinking about how the fireplace can fit into the surroundings. This approach is way better than choosing from several hundreds of existing designs. It will give you a much clearer idea on the right design for your home. You may then narrow down your choices and pick one from a readily available design, or you can create a custom design.

Placing emphasis on the fireplace mantel.

The fireplace mantel can serve dual purposes. It can be a decorative element by itself, or it can serve as a shelf. The entire fireplace can be simplistic, with emphasis being placed on the fireplace mantel. All the details should be focused on the mantel. This way, attention is drawn to the mantel automatically. You may then place other items such as books or ornaments on the mantel to enhance the look and feel of the fireplace.

Furthermore, a fireplace mantel can be made from wood like oak. That means intricate designs can be carved on the mantel. Wood mantels can also be easily removed and replaced with new designs. This approach is more flexible, and more cost effective. You don’t have to remove the entire fireplace just because you grow tired of the existing look!

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/creative-fireplace-design-ideas-692271.html

Winter is coming and in many places it is already here. If you are a homeowner then you are probably always looking for ways to help prevent heat loss in your home and cut down on utility bills. The more ways you find to do this, the more energy and money you will save.

There are many ways to reduce heat loss in your home and we are going to look at 7 ways that are not only pretty easy to do but also fairly inexpensive as well.

Windows  

If you have lived in your home for a while or if you have purchased an older home with the original windows, there is bound to be some draftiness around the windows and this means a high likelihood of heat loss. Although replacing drafty windows with the newer energy efficient window is an option, for many the cost is too much, especially in today’s budget minded economy.

For just a few dollars you can solve this problem in other ways. Here are two simple methods you can use. First, you can buy Window Insulation Kits which consist of plastic shrink film and double faced tape. Apply the tap around the outer edge of the window frame, stick the plastic file to the tape and then use a hair dryer to shrink the film so that it is tight. Simply cut away any excess plastic and you’re done. This can increase the R-Value up to 90%.

Also, concerning your windows, using quilted curtains to cover your drafty windows, will not only cut down on the heat loss and draftiness, they will also help the room to stay warmer. Many people who use shades on their window can install curtains over the windows while leaving the shades in place. In the summer, simply take down the curtains and leave the rod to make an easy transition during the seasons.

The Fireplace

There is nothing like sitting in front of a warm fire burning in the Fireplace of your home on a cold winter night. Many people have a screen covering the opening and unless you wait until the fire burns completely out, the fireplace damper needs to stay open for safety purposes. This means if you go to bed before the fire burns out and the damper is left open all night, warm air from inside your home will be pulled up the Chimney and escape outside your house.

Even with the damper completely closed some air can still escape because most dampers do not seal out the air entirely.

One of the best and easiest ways to save energy and reduce heat loss in this situation is to install a set of “Airtight” fireplace doors to the opening. With these doors, the gaskets around the frame seal the door to the fireplace face and keep air from leaking in or out. Plus the doors look great and the glass still lets the heat from the fire come into the home. You will not have to worry if the fire is still burning when you go to bed because even after the fire burns out and the damper is left open, the doors seal off the opening so no heat loss occurs.

Electrical Outlets and Switches

Count up the number of electrical outlets and switches you have in your home and if you have air leaks around the majority of them then you are in for some heat loss problems. There are two simple solutions for this problem and you can easily take care of this yourself.  First you can try the foam outlet sealers or gaskets that fit over your existing outlets and switches. They will cover up the gaps between the edge of the drywall and the outlet boxes and fit in nicely behind the outlet and switch covers. The result is a perfect airtight seal that reduces heat loss in one of the most common areas in your home.

Another option you can use either alone or in conjunction with the outlet sealers is insulated foam that comes in cans and can be sprayed into the gaps around the outlet boxes and then trimmed off with a utility knife. Spray Foam Insulation will come with a long tube adapter that will fit into the can that will make it easy for you to control the amount of foam you apply into the gaps.

Concrete Block Sill Plates and Rim Joist

Just go down into your basement or crawl space and run your hand along the wood sill plate the rests on top of the concrete block or poured foundation walls and also along the outside rim joists that rest on top of the sill plate and below the floor. There is a good chance you will feel air leaks in these areas and that means heat loss. The simple solution to solve this problem is to buy some good acrylic latex caulk and run a bead of caulk along all the edges where the plate meets the block and where the joists meet the plate and the floor and of course anywhere else that you might feel air infiltration.

Attic Insulation

This is a given. If you do not have enough insulation in your attic, not only is your home going to not heat as efficiently as it should you will also be prone to more heat loss. If your home is older and you did have insulation sprayed into the attic when it was built, then you need to check the depth of the insulation to see if it is still energy efficient. Go up into the attic and take a yard stick with you and then simply place the yard stick into the insulation between the trusses or ceiling joists, and measure the depth of the insulation.  On the average around if your insulation is 12 to 18 inches deep then you have an R value of about R-30 to R-38 which is fine for most areas. However if you live in a cold climate and the insulation is below 10 inches deep, then it would be a good idea to add some more.

Here again, you can do the job yourself by renting a blower and buying the material and although it can be a pretty messy job, you will save about half the cost of what an insulation company will charge you to do the job. If you are going to hire someone to do it for you, make sure you get 3 bids and ask for references.

Check Cabinet Toekick Register Covers

You would not believe how much heat loss there is around the register covers that are attached to the toekicks of cabinets in your home. When the duct work is installed prior to the cabinets being installed it is of the utmost importance to make sure the metal boot that the register cover is going to fit into, comes out flush with the front of the toekick hole that is cut out for the register. If this does not happen, the air coming out of the boot will leak under the cabinets and the register cover will have no control over it.

If you have this problem, then you need to either have a heating person come out to your home and make up and extension that fits into the existing boot and also allows your register cover to fit inside of it while allowing it to open and close with ease. This will then give you back control of the amount of heat that comes into the room, stop the heat from getting trapped under your cabinets and will reduce the heat loss and save you money.

Detecting Leaks and Drafts and Consider an Energy Audit

Believe it or not, more and more companies that specialize in performing an energy audit are popping up all over the place. Are these legitimate companies that you want to hire? If is worth paying one of these companies up to $400.00 to perform and energy audit? Can and energy audit help detect leaks and drafts in places you would not have thought of thus helping you to reduce heat loss and save energy and money? Yes, yes and yes!

A certified company that specializes in energy audits uses sophisticated equipment and is trained to use that equipment to seek out all areas of your home where heat loss, leaks and drafts exist. You will then end up with a very detailed report showing you all of the areas of your home that are the prime energy loss areas and you can then either take care of making the upgrades yourself or hire someone to do some of the work for you.

Saving energy, cutting down on heat loss and doing whatever you can to reduce your heating bills, will not only keep you comfortable this winter, but will also save you money in our current budget minded economy.

Rick Maselli
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/7-ways-to-prevent-heat-loss-in-your-home-this-winter-678567.html

During the holidays, all too often in our rush to get everything done to make the season special we overlook some of the basic safety precautions necessary to make everything magical. Home fires is one of the leading causes of holiday disasters and these fires are more often than not, completely preventable. Rapid Refile, LLC, a document restoration and disaster recovery service, has put together a very helpful fire prevention guide for home owners to follow this holiday season to ensure a safe and disaster-free celebration.

The following is some of the recommendations they have compiled (see full article for references):

Christmas Tree Safety and Fire Prevention:

• Keep trees securely upright in a stand to ensure that it will not accidentally tip over or be knocked over by children or pets.

• Keep your tree away from any and all heat sources.

• Make sure natural trees are well watered.

• If you have purchased an artificial tree, please make sure it is labeled “fire retardant”.

• Unplug the tree lights before leaving your home or before going to bed.

• Avoid using real candles on a tree. Real Christmas trees contain natural oils that are very flammable, especially if the tree is dry.

• Use a maximum of three strands of tree lights on a single extension cord.

Holiday Lighting Safety:

• Unplug any lighting, indoor and out, before going to bed.

• Never leave any candles unattended.

• Avoid using live candles with a flame on windowsills and mantles.

• Do not let pets or children chew on strands of lights.

• Make sure the cords used for lights and other decorations are not frayed.

• Do not run electrical wires under rugs.

• Make sure all candles are in sturdy holders that will not tip over and are placed away from furniture and other home accessories.

• Trim candle wicks to a ¼-inch in height.

Fireplace & Woodstove Fire Prevention:

• Have a professional inspect your fireplace annually.

• Inspect your stove or fireplace for any cracks regularly.

• Always use a screen in front of your Fireplace while it is burning.

• Do not burn your Christmas tree, wreaths, or leftover wrapping paper in a fireplace or stove.

Additional Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Tips:

• Exercise caution if using a space heater in a bedroom. Never place a heater next to a bed, as blankets could ignite. Place the heater in a place where a sleepy person getting up in the middle of the night will not trip over it.

• Keep fire extinguishers handy on every level of your home in a place where they can be easily accessed. Keep an extinguisher in your kitchen and by any fireplaces or stoves.

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season and forget some of these basic and not so basic rules for keeping a home and your family safe from a potential fire hazard. Take the time to look over your family room, bedrooms and any other place where you may have a fireplace, heater or Christmas tree to ensure you have a fire disaster-free holiday season.

Ben Anton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/fire-safety-how-to-protect-your-home-during-the-holiday-season-697105.html

During the holidays, all too often in our rush to get everything done to make the season special we overlook some of the basic safety precautions necessary to make everything magical. Home fires is one of the leading causes of holiday disasters and these fires are more often than not, completely preventable. Rapid Refile, LLC, a document restoration and disaster recovery service, has put together a very helpful fire prevention guide for home owners to follow this holiday season to ensure a safe and disaster-free celebration.

The following is some of the recommendations they have compiled (see full article for references):

Christmas Tree Safety and Fire Prevention:

• Keep trees securely upright in a stand to ensure that it will not accidentally tip over or be knocked over by children or pets.

• Keep your tree away from any and all heat sources.

• Make sure natural trees are well watered.

• If you have purchased an artificial tree, please make sure it is labeled “fire retardant”.

• Unplug the tree lights before leaving your home or before going to bed.

• Avoid using real candles on a tree. Real Christmas trees contain natural oils that are very flammable, especially if the tree is dry.

• Use a maximum of three strands of tree lights on a single extension cord.

Holiday Lighting Safety:

• Unplug any lighting, indoor and out, before going to bed.

• Never leave any candles unattended.

• Avoid using live candles with a flame on windowsills and mantles.

• Do not let pets or children chew on strands of lights.

• Make sure the cords used for lights and other decorations are not frayed.

• Do not run electrical wires under rugs.

• Make sure all candles are in sturdy holders that will not tip over and are placed away from furniture and other home accessories.

• Trim candle wicks to a ¼-inch in height.

Fireplace & Woodstove Fire Prevention:

• Have a professional inspect your fireplace annually.

• Inspect your stove or fireplace for any cracks regularly.

• Always use a screen in front of your fireplace while it is burning.

• Do not burn your Christmas tree, wreaths, or leftover wrapping paper in a fireplace or stove.

Additional Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Tips:

• Exercise caution if using a space heater in a bedroom. Never place a heater next to a bed, as blankets could ignite. Place the heater in a place where a sleepy person getting up in the middle of the night will not trip over it.

• Keep fire extinguishers handy on every level of your home in a place where they can be easily accessed. Keep an extinguisher in your kitchen and by any fireplaces or stoves.

It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of the season and forget some of these basic and not so basic rules for keeping a home and your family safe from a potential fire hazard. Take the time to look over your family room, bedrooms and any other place where you may have a fireplace, heater or Christmas tree to ensure you have a fire disaster-free holiday season.

Ben Anton
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/fire-safety-how-to-protect-your-home-during-the-holiday-season-697105.html

Fireplaces feature in cosy Christmas cards depicting idyllic family scenes; fireplaces tap into childhood memories. The magic and impact a real fire has on a room is undeniable. Whether it’s a gas or real fire, a Fireplace offers a central hub in a room to sit, talk, or reflect. The connection to fire is deep in our DNA. Fire was crucial to how we evolved – where we cooked, kept warm and where we gathered to tell stories. It’s no wonder many people consider their fireplaces to be gateways to the soul.

Fireplaces – A Sense of Home

Fireplaces are the central defining point of a room. It’s no wonder that interior designers can feel so passionate about the kind of fireplaces they choose – whether it’s a replica of traditional designs or a modern contemporary classic, the fireplace dictates the mood of a home. Hand-carved marble or limestone ooze a natural, exquisite quality, ensuring the fireplace will endure generations to come. The pleasure in a real fire lies in the flicker and scent of burning coal or wood, the cracking and glowing on a cold winter’s night. Those who love a real fire long for fireplaces in their homes. And after the trend to board-up fireplaces, now thousands of people are embracing the joy of real fires and opening up their Chimneys. Whether it’s a fireplace in the living room as a focus for the family, or romantic fireplaces in the bedroom, there’s no doubt a fireplace adds charm and character, turning any house into a home.

Fireplaces Tap into Psychological Needs

If our fireplaces are gateways to the soul, psychologists say our homes are windows to the mind. Open plan living may look stylish, but sacrificing doors can impact on those who value privacy, or who have a need to slam doors to diffuse a moment of anger. Having curtain-less windows has a similar impact. Our love of fireplaces, as a cosy spot of seclusion, taps into an instinct anthropologists say is ‘primal’.

Fireplaces: The Fundamentals of Home

The move to think of houses as assets and investments, rather than homes, means many properties are no longer designed with our psychological need for a sense of ‘home’. But more homeowners are realising the importance of fireplaces, warm curtains and traditional homes. Homes have always been about providing shelter, safety, privacy, and a fireplace for warmth and cooking. Johnny Grey, a researcher into how our psychological needs are met in housing told the Guardian newspaper: “People may ask what neuroscience has to do with house design, but we have an emotional connection – linked to the brain – of what it is to ‘feel at home’. When we are happy, a certain endorphin is released, so we need to design homes in order to release that neurotransmitter.”

Grey added that fireplaces make us ‘ridiculously happy’ – our fireplaces symbolise warmth, sociability and food – the fundamentals of home.

Mike MJ Johnson
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/fireplaces-gateways-to-the-soul-678246.html