Sunday, March 9, 2008

4 Tips for Fireplace Efficiency

The fireplace has long been the favorite spot to gather in the American home. A place for warmth, the fireplace adds ambience, sparking memories that are to be treasured. With all the benefits that a fireplace can bring, there are some major downsides that if not addressed can cause a love for the fireplace to wane.

With soaring energy costs, the chief negative of having a fireplace has to be its inefficiency. When there is a fire burning, the fireplace does indeed radiate warmth in its general vicinity, but it also creates a convection current that can actually pull conditioned air out of the room and up the chimney causing your furnace to work overtime. When the fire is not burning, the fireplace has a damper which is supposed to block inside air from escaping and outside air from invading. The problem is that the damper is usually made of metal (this type of damper technology hasn’t changed in over 100 years!) and has no seal, which means that the damper is incredibly inefficient.

Your home has a dirty little secret – the fireplace that is designed to warm your house is actually doing the opposite and costing you hundreds of dollars in energy costs. Don’t fret – with a little investment of time and money, you can turn that inefficient fireplace into a powerhouse heater that will reduce your energy bills and add even more charm to your existing fireplace.

The following is a list of 4 things that you can do yourself to drastically reduce the heating costs associated with the inefficiency of your fireplace.

1. Top Sealing Dampers replace the fireplace throat damper and are installed at the top of the chimney. The top sealing damper has a seal that acts like a storm door keeping the expensive conditioned air inside the house and the outside air – outside. This principle works year round, whether you’re heating or cooling your house. This product can be purchased online and is easily installed by either a homeowner or a handyman.

2. A fireback is a cast iron plate that is placed at the back of your fireplace. Its purpose is to protect the back wall from fire damage and it usually features a design that adds to the homes decor. The fireback improves the fireplaces efficiency by absorbing the heat from the fire and radiating the heat back into the room.

3. A Fireplace Heater pulls fresh air from the room, circulates it through a chamber that is heated by the fire and then blows the heated air back into the room. These heaters are closed systems so no smoke from the fireplace is invading the home. Depending on which kind you purchase, these heaters can make a significant difference in your homes temperature, even heating a full room on its own. Specific fireplace heaters can be installed with fireplace glass doors which will kick your cost savings up another notch.

4. Fireplace Glass Doors will likely carry the largest investment, but you can reduce some of that cost by doing some of the work yourself. There are a number of fireplace doors that can be purchased online and come with easy to install instructions. The fireplace glass door creates a barrier between the living space and the chimney, thus reducing the area that your furnace will have to heat. This alone is a good reason to install these doors, but it’s not the only reason. Fireplace glass doors offer another level of safety for the home by protecting children and pets from the fire. If you have a wood burning fireplace you will want to purchase the screen mesh that is designed to go with the fireplace glass doors. This will allow you to have the doors open while the fire is burning and still have your home protected from sparks and embers. Fireplace glass doors are now being manufactured with modern designs and really add beauty and charm to the fireplace.
If you’re handy, all of these suggestions are easy to accomplish. In addition, all of the products, while difficult to find locally, can easily be purchased online. If you’re concerned about high energy costs but you want to keep your fireplace, then it’s time to plug up the holes in your monthly energy budget by plugging up the holes in your fireplace.


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About the Author: Marcus Dallacqua
Woodland Direct

Fireplace Mantels and the Fast Track to Buying them

If you use the correct methods fireplace tips can be accessed really quickly, if you do not rush when implementing your fireplace research and you will never go far wrong, if you require specialist assistance on products such as vent free natural gas fireplaces then see if you can locate a number of specialized fireplace articles.

If you use the correct methods fireplace tips can be accessed really quickly, if you do not rush whilst implementing your fireplace research and you will never go far wrong, if you require expert assistance on items such as ventless gas corner fireplaces then see if you can locate a number of specialized fireplace .

Many fireplace experts and other individuals that might work with or have some involvement with fireplaces can easily be discovered via the regional telephone listings, there should be numerous listings of people who are associated in some way with fireplaces and such people could save you a considerable amount of your valuable time by assisting you with your fireplace focused issues.

It is a fact that your town library can be an ideal place to get hold of info on fireplace products, advances like the web can cause us to neglect the many other heating resources that are presently freely accessible to all of us, take advantage of such sources of free fireplace data, good fireplace product knowledge can very often be hard to locate.

It would be wise to bear in mind that as you research this area of heat installation that you might very well be overcome with some pretty confusing search results, such results as outdoor fireplace inserts or precast fireplace surrounds could however be particularly relevant to your needs.

You see home improvement is an area that covers a huge area of different fireplace products like rock fireplace mantels and superior gas fireplaces, say you wanted expert help on a particular area of fireplaces, lets suppose a product like vanguard fireplaces, this might easily be sourced from a fireplace supplier.

Now if you should require advice on ventless gas fireplaces it will often be better to use a fireplace site in order to initiate contact with a fireplace expert, by doing this you will obviously be able to get a modest amount of fireplace info for free.

If for some reason you can't get the heating data you desire from a fireplace supplier then probably you are looking in the inappropriate place, for instance, lets suppose your area of focus was victorian fireplace inserts, it would possibly be good for you to check a certain interior design portal.

The way to find out if a fireplace site might be able to help you with your particular fireplace search, pretend for a moment a blue flame fireplace is your particular item, is to discover if the site contains a categorised fireplace section and a good number of fireplace write ups, if in fact it does supply this type of things then getting a fireplace that is suitable will be easy, if however the website is about a common home improvement topic then it is unlikely you will come up with your required fireplace targeted help.


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About the Author: Free fireplace mantels guide by Jilly Pertwee can be found at : http://www.warmfireplace.com

Fireplaces and the Magic Touch to Buying Onlne

It has to be said fireplaces and interior design is a subject that covers a vast assortment of diverse fireplace items including, soapstone fireplace inserts and tempered glass fireplace closures, say that you wanted expert assistance on any area of fireplaces, lets suppose a product like vanguard fireplaces, this might possibly be sourced via fireplace expert.

With the right technique fireplace guidance can sometimes be accessed really quickly, if you take your time when carrying out your fireplace research you will certainly not go far wrong, if you would like specialist assistance on items such as vented fireplaces then try and discover a collection of fireplace reviews.

You will see that home improvement listings are a relatively useful source of knowledge on numerous products such as wood fireplace mantel shelfs and wooden fireplace surrounds, these type of directories can be located all over the net.

Consider also when you search this area of interior design that you may be overloaded with a good deal of truly varied research results, such results as outdoor wood burning fireplaces and propane fireplaces may though be very relevant to your needs.

Say you are actually looking for replacement fireplace screens or stone fireplace mantels, it is obvious that these type of products might not be currently available on too many websites, be sure that you employ your PC bookmark function when you make this sort of fireplace targeted internet research, your useful info must be treated with the greatest of care.

With the right method fireplace knowledge might easily be accessed extremely rapidly, if you take your time when implementing your fireplace research and you will not go far wrong, if you need specialized advice on merchandise like ventless gas fireplace inserts then see if you can find a number of expert fireplace reviews.

A large amount of directories will contain specific catalogues focusing on fireplaces, if a consumer should want a free standing fireplace or a arlington fireplace mantel simply locate the most appropriate fireplace section.

With the right technique fireplace guidance can sometimes be accessed really quickly, if you take your time when carrying out your fireplace research you will certainly not go far wrong, if you would like expert assistance on products such as ventless gas corner fireplaces then try and discover a collection of fireplace write ups.

Because of the web, access to a whole lot of fireplace knowledge can give you details on a great selection of fine products, say you want a specialist product, lets say a fireplace insert, you may possibly be smarter searching in a home furnishing or fireplace directory, these will contain specific categories so locating a corn fireplace insert stove, fireplace screeen insert and even a fireproof fireplace rug will never turn out to be a problem.


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About the Author: Free fireplaces guide by Jilly Pertwee can be located at : http://www.warmfireplace.com

Fireplaces and How to Locate the Best Stores

Quite a few of the fireplace associated tips you will find online are focused on assisting people to find chosen fireplace merchandise including outside fireplaces and portable outdoor fireplaces, coming across this type of fireplace info can often come to be very arduous indeed.

You will see that home improvement portals are a quite useful source of guidance about a fair number of items including wood fireplace doors and napoleon wood burning fireplace inserts, these sites can be located all over the internet.

The vast majority of the fireplace related tips that you will locate online are all about assisting consumers to purchase particular fireplace merchandise including old wood burning fireplace inserts and regency fireplace inserts, obtaining this variety of fireplace information can often be very arduous indeed.

Many sites will have detailed categories targeted at fireplaces, should a person require a dimplex fireplace insert or a bedford fireplace mantel you just locate the most appropriate fireplace section.

You will see that heating listings are a relatively useful source of knowledge on numerous items such as wood burning fireplace manuals and napoleon gas fireplace, these type of directories can be located all over the net.

Most online interior design research can uncover a vast number of products, although good fireplace portals will often have a ton of fireplace items, this may often be really overwhelming, reproduction georgian fireplaces, vented fireplaces, todays consumers have so many items to pick from nowdays, it may then be difficult to decide the appropriate product to order.

The fireplace experts will be capable offering you a lot of prime niche assistance on matters such as getting the best deals on outdoor fireplace plans and how to obtain the proper product guarantee whenever obtaining a fireplace, their fireplace expertise will surely help you get the best item for your needs.

specific fireplaces might not turn out to be that easy to come across, lets imagine you are wishing to purchase wooden fireplace surrounds it may be that you may have to purchase your items directly from a fireplace manufacturer, even the top sites may not always solve every fireplace purchasers requirements however a large number of heating products can be acquired by some means.

For good quality fireplace knowledge an online store that is supervised by someone like a fireplace expert ought to be perfect, The interior design newsgroups and blogs are certainly fantastic resources for finding decent quality fireplace tips and advice, these kind of places may very well provide the answers to some pretty precise questions concerning merchandise like electric heater fireplace inserts or faux rock fireplaces.


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About the Author: Free majestic fireplace tips by Francis Bejour the author can be located at : http://www.dreamfireplaces.com

Fireplaces and House and Home Internet Shopping

For good quality fireplace knowledge an online store that is supervised by somebody like a fireplace expert should be perfect, The heating newsgroups and blogs are certainly fantastic resources for finding decent quality fireplace tips and advice, these sort of places may very well provide the answers to some fairly precise questions concerning merchandise like electric fireplace kits or fireplace chimney caps.

A trouble free experience when buying certain products like regency gas fireplaces or stone electric fireplaces is an area that no consumer should ever take for granted, you should value the portals that offer suitable fireplace purchasing knowledge and record their info for the future.

The way to find out if a fireplace portal will hopefully be able to assist you with your selected fireplace search, pretend for a moment a artificial fireplaces is your particular product, is to find out if the site contains a targeted fireplace directory and a good quantity of fireplace write ups, if this is the case and it does contain such things your search for a fireplace will be easy, if on the other hand the site is focused on a general home improvement subject you will probably not obtain your desired fireplace related info.

lets suppose you are hunting for solid stone fireplaces or three sided fireplaces, without a doubt these kind of merchandise might very well not actually be freely available on too many portals, you should really ensure that you employ your PC favorites button whenever you conduct this type of fireplace related research, your important information should be treated with the greatest of care.

A varying range of fireplace targeted searches might very well have led you to a fireplace or home improvement related internet merchant, searches like "outlets selling shelf mantles" or "articles on stone fireplaces", the real trick with any home furnishing portal is to go straight to the website menu, if you do this you should not be side tracked by fireplace guides which are about an area of fireplaces that is not applicable .

If you are mostly searching for see through electric fireplaces or superior gas fireplaces, undoubtedly these types of items may not turn out to be commonly available on a large number of portals, be sure that you use your browser favorites function as you carry out this variety of fireplace targeted search, your precious information ought to be treated with the utmost of care.

You may also consider that a town book store might possibly be an obvious place to obtain guidance aimed at fireplace products, internet availability may often cause us to ignore the numerous other home furnishing resources which are currently freely available to all of us, take advantage of such sources of good fireplace data, prime fireplace merchandise information might quite often be difficult to locate.

A great many sites will contain particular sectors focused on fireplaces, if you desire a freestanding gas fireplace or a avalon fireplace insert you just locate the most appropriate fireplace section.

The area of fireplaces can often be fairly confusing but the primary concern is to try to stick with the item you initially meant to buy, you should not set out hunting for two sided gas fireplaces but end up buying ventless fireplaces, this is easily done if you get sidetracked.


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About the Author: Free woodstove parts tips by Francis Bejour the author can be located at : http://www.dreamfireplaces.com

Fireplaces: Find them Fast and at a Discount

For a product like a gas patio fireplace the best place to search is a decent heating portal, you will easily view a mass of products such as fake fireplaces on this type of websites, even such things as refractories and precast fireplace surrounds should generally be included.

A whole host of fireplace related searches might possibly have led you to a fireplace or heating associated portal, searches such as "find see thru gas fireplaces" or "guides on stone fireplace mantels", the real trick with any interior design portal is to go immediately to the site menu, if you do this you should not be side tracked due to fireplace guides that are not connected to the home improvement product you need.

You will see that home improvement listings are a relatively useful source of knowledge on numerous products such as wood fireplace mantel shelfs and wooden fireplace surrounds, these type of directories can be located all over the net.

Quite a bit of fireplace expertise with the aid of the internet can be acquired in the UK, Australia and a whole host of nations, heat installation directories should supply anyone with the details of nationally located fireplace suppliers so purchasing fireplaces from your global region is faster and more convenient than in times gone by.

One of the most important fireplace purchasing tips that someone could supply is, you must definitely not purchase the first item you discover, going through a modest variation of fireplace retailers will supply anyone with adequate details to produce a realistic cost review.

If for some reason you can't get the heat installation data you desire from a fireplace supplier then probably you are looking in the inappropriate place, for instance, lets suppose your area of focus was ventless gas logs, it would possibly be good for you to check a certain heat installation portal.

Another thing to consider when you search this area of heat installation that you will certainly be overloaded with a considerable number of truly varied search results, such results as outdoor fireplace inserts or propane outdoor fireplaces might still be particularly relevant to your requirements.

One of the best fireplace purchasing tips that anybody can present you with is, do not purchase the first merchandise you see, looking through a small variety of fireplace websites will give any consumer a sufficient amount of details to carry out a good price check.

The fireplace specialists will be able to offer you some prime niche info on issues such as getting the lowest price on outdoor gas fireplaces and how to obtain the right merchandise guarantee while buying a fireplace, such fireplace assistance will surely make sure you order the best items for your needs.


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About the Author: Free hearth rug tips by Francis Bejour the author can be located at : http://www.dreamfireplaces.com

Outdoor Fireplaces and the Best Ways to FInd them

This fireplace search tip is especially valuable, instead of simply using a research term like "fireplaces ", you should make use of a more specific search engine phrase such as"fireguard and fireplace stores" or "antique fireplace guide", in doing this your results are going to be highly targeted to your particular fireplace needs.

With the right technique fireplace guidance can sometimes be accessed really quickly, if you take your time when carrying out your fireplace research you will certainly not go far wrong, if you would like specialist assistance on items such as vented fireplaces then try and discover a collection of fireplace reviews.

If a person is purchasing merchandise like a lennox fireplace it might not always mean buying from a fireplace or heating focused site, lets imagine you are living in Arizona for example, a fireplace directory might be able to give you relevant details of closely situated fireplace outlets who should with any luck be able to help you to find the fireplace you require Convenience when purchasing specific products such as shelf mantles or swedish fireplaces is something that no person should ever take for granted, learn to value the places that contain reliable fireplace buying info and take note of their information for possible future purchases.

A considerable number of fireplace merchants should generally be decent and a small minority somewhat poor, if a person requires local interior design info it may very well be better to send any local sources of fireplace knowledge a simple email, it should be as clear as you can and say something such as "I am searching for electric fireplace heater inserts or fireplace blowers", what is contained in your email will depend on what sort of fireplace product you are interested in.

A few fireplaces may not end up being that easy to get, say you want to purchase napoleon electric fireplaces it could mean that you might have to purchase your product via fireplace manufacturer, even the top websites can't instantly solve every fireplace shoppers needs but most heating products can be purchased somehow.

It can be you buy a gas fireplace valve and afterwards see that the fireplace site you got it from was not supplying it at the lowest price, to be confident that this never happens another time try to make sure you make an online price comparison or check out a decent mutlitude of fireplace online outlets first, it could be a classic fireplace is selling for a set cost on one particular site however is five percent lower on a competitors site, some good deals can be found if you take the time to look.

If for some reason you can't get the home improvement data you desire from a fireplace supplier then probably you are looking in the inappropriate place, for instance, lets suppose your area of focus was ventless propane gas fireplaces, it would possibly be good for you to check a certain heat installation portal.

It might very well be you buy a gas fireplace log and later on discover the fireplace site you sourced it from didn't supply it at the lowest price, to be confident that this sort of thing never comes about on a different occasion make an effort to proceed with an online price tag review or check a decent range of fireplace directories prior to buying, it could happen that a indoor fireplace is selling for a set price on one site but is being marketed for twenty percent less on another one, you can find some great deals if you look in the right places.

Because of the web, access to a whole lot of fireplace knowledge can give you details on a great selection of fine products, say you want a specialist product, lets say a fireplace insert, you may possibly be smarter searching in a home furnishing or fireplace directory, these will contain specific categories so locating a corn fireplace insert stove, fireplace screeen insert and even a fireproof fireplace rug will never turn out to be a problem.


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About the Author: Free report on outdoor fireplaces and all kinds of fireplace related products can be found at: http://dreamfireplaces.com

Monday, March 3, 2008

Decorative Fireplace - Where The Family Meets

Fire has energy of its own and has always been a necessary element in human life. Building a fire has gone from a necessity to a luxury and with time a decorative fireplace has been proven to have a certain inexplicable quality that brings about a soothing feeling. Since the Victorian era fireplaces have been used to add a hint of class and sophistication to the home. The decorative fireplace not only provides an effective method of heating but also adds a lot of sentimental value to the house.

It is a traditional concept in most homes that families get together at the decorative fireplace. The children do their homework there as the grandmother rocks on her rocking chair. The mother is busy doing her knitting work and the grandfather and father share a smoke or an evening glass of drink. Sitting with your loved ones in the warmth of natural fire provides a sense of security and satisfaction that cannot be explained with words. Fire emits a divine energy that helps strengthen bonds and gives rise to sensations that calm the body and are soothing to the mind.

With the advance in technology and the increase in modern gadgets people have forgotten the value of being close to natural elements. These days television has become a common pass time and is making family members distant from each other. The decorative fireplace is an important instrument in keeping the family closely knit as it provides peace during times of disturbance and warmth on cold days. Heat has always been used for healing pain and driving sorrow away. A fireplace is the perfect way to keep your family together.

It is certain that the fireplace provides warmth which is far more relaxing and soothing than any modern means of heating.


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About the Author: Robert Mandolin enjoys writing about fireplaces and room setups. Learn about fireplace inserts and gas fireplace inserts by reading more of his tips and hints.

Fireplace Kit - Safety Guidelines

Fireplace kits require regular maintenance to ensure high efficiency and safety. The hole at the top of the chimneys is covered by a chimney cap that prevents external matter from entering. This cap must be replaced in case it is damaged or missing.

For fireplace kits, an effective way to make sure that the outer mortar between the bricks is intact is by shining a flashlight down the chimney to look at the mortar inside. Crumbling mortar must be replaced. Metal chimneys should not consist of dented or rusted metal parts screws should not be missing.

It is a good idea to clean chimneys at frequent intervals as there may be deposits of creosote that can cause a dangerous chimney fire. Creosote is a hard and crust like produced during the incomplete combustion of wood. Soot too is a flammable deposit that needs to be removed if deposited on the chimney walls. If this deposit reaches a depth of about 1/8 inch, the chimney must be cleaned to remove these deposits.

It should always be kept in mind that fireplace kits should not be used as furnaces. Fireplaces should be used for short duration fire (approximately five hours). Fireplace coals can remain hot enough to start a fire up to three days after burning. Thus vacuum should never be used to clean up the ashes as there is a possibility that live coals may remain in those ashes. If there is smoke in the house even after eliminating the chimney debris, make sure the damper is open. If there is a large amount of smoke coming out of the chimney, it indicates that the wood is not burning completely. These are just some of the safety guidelines that a home owner should practice when it comes to fireplace kits.


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About the Author: Robert Mandolin can spend all night by the heat of his adorable fireplace. Check out what you wanted to know about fireplace inserts and gas fireplace inserts.

Gas Fire Place - Do You Really Need One?

This may not be the simplest question to answer. However a few well chosen factors may help you decide easily. Obviously we visualize a gas fire place as a savior from extreme climatic conditions and not just a showpiece in the sitting room. The factors you must consider while answering the question are safety, convenience, economy and cleanliness.

Fireplaces must be controllable and so should the fire in it. Care must be taken to avoid emission of dangerous and poisonous smokes and gases. It must be noted that one cannot take their eyes off a natural fire. A pre check must be done with the residential authorities to see the gas fire place is allowed in the building premises at all or not and what are the safety norms that are to be followed. Convenience and ease in handling a fireplace is a very important criterion too.

No doubt some fireplaces like the wood fireplaces are easy to install and help in saving electricity and you rather not suffer in the cold when there is power cut, however you must be fully convinced that stacking pile of wood, chopping and hauling it is no big deal. Moreover wood chips and dust are nothing less than a gory sight! Even maintenance and cleanliness is not a very easy task.

If you are a nature lover and enjoy seeing wood fire around you, you can do away with the “fake-fire feeling” derived from gas fire places. With all this one should also realize that fireplaces should not cause a dent to your pocket. With fuel price being hiked regularly, a gas fireplaces may be actually be quite uneconomical.

However, reading a book or knitting a sweater for your young baby or even having a drink besides the gas fire place is no less than a living dream.


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About the Author: Robert Mandolin raves about his unique fireplace setup. Rave about your own fireplace by reading everything about fireplace inserts and some more about wood burning fireplace inserts.

Ventless Gas Fireplace - Taking Care Of Yours

Efficient operations of a ventless gas fireplace can be expected only by regular maintenance of a fireplace. You should have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney as and when necessary. It is a good idea to learn how to inspect it on your own as well and keep checks at regular intervals. The chimney should be checked at least once a year or after approximately eighty fires. A chimney brush can be used to keep the chimney free from creosote build-up.

There is a good amount of precautionary measures which should be taken during the inspection and cleaning process of a fireplace. Make sure that all ventless gas fireplace fittings are tightened securely and completely extinguish the fire before cleaning. Make sure the chimney is cold along its length.

Glass doors may produce tough stains from flames and heat. These stains can be cleaned by using a glass cleaner available at ventless gas fireplace stores. In order to shine brass fireplace utensils and fittings, Worcestershire sauce and a toothbrush may be used. The firebox is the area where the logs burn. It should be cleaned at least once a week during the months in which it is being used most. It is a good idea to leave an inch of ash while cleaning as it acts as insulation for the coal to heat up faster and easily retains the heat.

An exterior slate hearth can be made to shine by washing, drying and coating it with lemon oil while exterior brick hearths can be cleaned by making use of a brick cleaner available at a ventless gas fireplace shop. A chimney cap should be used to prevent damage due to water, nesting of birds and carbon monoxide entering the house.


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About the Author: Robert Mandolin is known to show off his beautiful fireplace. Read about improving your fireplace inserts and how to really enjoy your wood fireplace inserts.

Fireplace Design Ideas -Types Of Fireplaces

Types of fireplaces such as masonry, gas, electric, pre fabricated and woodstoves are available today. Fireplace design ideas depend on factors such as the area to be covered and the purpose that it needs to serve.

While masonry fireplaces in which natural wood is burnt might be a common sight in old, large houses, gas fireplaces are the most common these days because they are easy to install and use. Although masonry fire places may have an old world charm of their own, they are not the most effective means of heating the house as a large amount of heat escapes through the chimney.

A wide range of gas fireplaces are available and out those the top vent gas fireplace is the one that can be installed to replace an existing wood burning fireplace. These fireplaces design ideas do not require wood or matches and can be turned on at the flip of a switch!

An electric fireplace is also convenient for warming smaller sitting areas and there is no facility to install a chimney. An added advantage of these types of fireplaces is that they reduce heating cost significantly.

A prefabricated fireplace is also known as a zero-clearance fireplace design ideas as they are highly insulated and can be installed in the proximity of combustible materials. They are often a good choice in new construction as they are lighter in weight and faster and easier to install than standard masonry fireplaces.

A wood stove is made from cast iron or brick line welded plate steel and is essentially a metal container for fire. Since most modern woodstoves are airtight and allow the amount of air feeding the flame to be controlled in some manner, they tend to be highly efficient.


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About the Author: Robert Mandolin loves to read his magazines by his fireplace. Check out how to get the best out of your fireplace inserts and electric fireplace inserts.

Inspirational Ideas for Using Concrete in Your Home

Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. From a primal and formless slurry, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, stamp, or stain it. You can embed meaningful objects within it. Concrete has substance and mass, permanence and warmth. It feels earthy, and is at home in both traditional and modern settings. It assumes forms that irrevocably touch our daily lives-bridges, highways, floors, walls... even countertops. Concrete is also surprisingly tactile. Cast and shaped, it can feel like stone rounded by the sea. Textured and colored, it can echo the patina of timeworn tile. It first occurred to me to make a countertop out of concrete in 1985, when a friend and I were hired to design and renovate a professor's house in the Berkeley Hills. He gave us a modest budget and announced, "This is all I can afford to spend; do whatever you want." Armed with this rare creative license (and plenty of youthful exuberance) we aimed to be as innovative as possible. This invitation to imagine, play, and explore inevitably led me to experiment in my own kitchen, where concrete and I began what is now our nearly two-decade dance. My first countertop was a single piece containing 11 cubic feet of concrete. It weighed nearly 1500 pounds and took 10 people-and 2 engine hoists-to turn it over once it had cured. We barely managed it, but the piece came out beautifully and is still being put to good use today. Because of its adaptability, concrete finds itself welcome in all areas of the home, especially in the kitchen and bath, but also in fireplaces, patios, garden paths, or water features. Concrete can also be used as a floor material with enormous creative advantages whether seeded, stained, stamped, broomed or diamond-finished. It can be a sole performer or play the supporting role to tile, mosaics, decorative aggregates, stone, wood, or metal. It is inexpensive, durable, noncombustible, impervious to decay, and also very effective for passive solar gain in the right application. With vertical treatments, concrete gives us an opportunity to recapture some of the feeling of the monolithic wall-the feeling of substance, of protection. Walls are also a great place to explore form. A wall doesn't have to be flat or straight, but can curve and undulate. It can be textured to be rough as stone or smooth as glass. Surrender to the impulse... carve your initials in concrete.
About the Author: Fu-Tung Cheng, the founder of Cheng Concrete Exchange, is an internationally known designer and bestselling author, whom the LA Times calls "the master of the craft of concrete on a residential scale" (November 2004). His innovative design and building resources for concrete countertops and other interior concrete applicationns can be found on his website at www.ConcreteExchange.com.