There is nothing better than a roaring fire when the weather turns cooler. There are several different kinds of fireplaces and there are things you need to know about each one of them in order to stay as safe and healthy as possible.
Fireplaces can burn wood or natural gas as well as be electrically powered. There are also fireplaces fueled by propane or ethanol. Most fireplaces will have a chimney and flue, although ethanol ones do not. They usually also have a mantel around the outside. Wood burning fireplaces will also have a hearth which is a tile or stone area in the front. This keeps burning embers or pieces of wood from rolling out and damaging the floor. This is a safety feature as well as a way to keep from needing to replace your flooring.
Any fireplace needs to be carefully installed by a qualified expert. This is because the different fireplaces have different requirements in order to make them safe. And all fireplaces require regular maintenance to make sure that they are operating properly and as efficiently as possible.
Wood burning fireplaces require a fireproof liner and a chimney that is capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures. It also needs a flue, so that it can draw air. A wood fire needs oxygen in order to burn the wood thoroughly. If you do use a wood burning fireplace, you should know that they give off creosote, which is an extremely flammable substance that can build up on the inside of the chimney. If it is not cleaned, you may find that a chimney fire can start. This can lead to your house burning down.
An alternative to a wood burning fireplace is a natural gas fireplace. They may have a mantle and a hearth, but these are just for decoration. They are usually glassed in and may have fake logs to make them look like a traditional fireplace. A natural gas fireplace needs a way to draw in fresh air in order to prevent carbon monoxide to build up. This is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you if you breathe it in. This is because it replaces oxygen in the blood stream. Carbon monoxide can often build up slowly over time and if it builds up enough will eventually become fatal. It is caused by the incomplete burning of fuels such as natural gas. A natural gas fireplace needs to be installed by a licensed and experienced installer who can make sure that everything is set up properly.
Ethanol fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular for several reasons. They burn at an extremely high temperature, so they can heat a room much more efficiently than a wood or natural gas fireplace. Unlike either wood or natural gas, an ethanol or bio fuel fireplace also does not need a flue or vent. This makes them excellent for an apartment where it is impossible to vent to the outside. This is because ethanol fireplaces burn the fuel completely and do not produce toxic gasses as a by product. They are becoming more popular, but are not well known. Depending on where you live, this may make it impossible for you to find a seller of bio fuel fireplaces.
The last kind of fireplace that is commonly known is the electric fireplace. They were once more of a joke than an acceptable replacement for a wood or natural gas fireplace. Recently however they have become more attractive and are increasing in popularity. An electric fireplace plugs into the wall and produces a fake flame at the flick of a switch. Newer models have a second control which turns on the heat. Modern electric fireplaces come in a number of makes and models and often feature a mantle around the fireplace. They can be placed against the wall or you can choose a corner model if you need more wall space.
Depending on what you are looking for, there are numerous models of fireplace to choose from. If you know the requirements that each kind have you can make sure that they are installed safely and allow you to enjoy your fireplace without worry.
Author Resource:
Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer.
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