Bedding and Accessories

On a cold winter night there’s nothing like cuddling up in front of a fire with a loved one. The warmth from fireplaces is welcome on chilly days, and the scent of the burning wood adds a cozy ambiance to a home. Fireplaces make great gathering spots and many families enjoy lounging around the fireplace in the evenings to talk or watch television together. 

Fireplaces are also attractive and add character to a home. A beautiful fireplace can be the focal point of a room, or the homeowner might choose to downplay the fireplace. Fireplaces designs should complement the style of the room. A fireplace covered in floral designs will look out of place in a room decorated in a sleek, modern style. Thought should also be given to the size of the fireplace, since a large fireplace will overpower a small room and a tiny fireplace will get lost in a cavernous room. There are many different fireplaces designs and styles to choose from to accentuate a room and express the homeowner’s personality, and we’ll discuss a few popular options.

Brick fireplaces

Bricks are a traditional choice for fireplaces designs. Beautiful, functional and easy to replace, bricks add a homey, old-fashioned feel to a room. Aging brick fireplaces can be spruced up with a coat of paint. While any bricks can be used for the surround, only firebricks should be used in the firebox.

Marble and Granite

Granite and marble are popular materials used in today’s fireplaces designs. Granite fireplaces are handsome, durable and easy to clean. There are a number of different colors of granite fireplace designs to coordinate with a room’s décor. Marble fireplaces are elegant and lovely and can add a sophisticated touch to a home. Some marble fireplaces are elaborately carved with beautiful designs. 

Tile

Tiled fireplaces designs can add a splash of fun and color to the fireplace. The tiles can cover the surround of the fireplace and can be chosen in a variety of designs. For a romantic room filled with lace you might choose tiles featuring pretty floral patterns, while tiles with brightly colored geometric shapes might better suit a contemporary style room. Tile can also be used to cover the brick and give a new look to an older mantel that is past its prime.

Kiva style fireplace

For a southwestern style home, try Kiva fireplaces designs. Kiva fireplaces are curved and beehive shaped with openings at the top and bottom for the flue and the fire. Traditional Kiva fireplaces designs were created using adobe bricks, but today’s models frequently use cinder blocks.

Outdoor fireplace

Many homeowners are installing outdoor fireplaces designs. Outdoor fireplaces can turn an ordinary deck or patio into something special. With patio furniture such as comfortable chairs and a dining table and chairs, the patio becomes an additional living space, ideal for entertaining friends and family. The outdoor fireplace can make the space a great place to spend time on cool summer nights, chilly spring and fall days and even in the winter.

Safety begins even before you install your fireplace. There are a number of different styles and types of fireplaces on the market, some are not considered as safe as others. As an example, ventless or vent free gas fireplaces are not approved in some areas and have limited approval in the United States. 

Where and how you install your fireplace could also be a safety issue if not done correctly. Installation of the firebox and vent system to close to the wood studs or other combustible materials could pose a fire hazard.

Here is short list of safety issues you should be aware of. Before you operate your fireplace for the first time, have it inspected and carefully read the owner's manual. Clean away any dust or debris that may have accumulated during construction. I.E., wood chips or drywall dust may harm the motor, burners or the fan. 

Make sure your smoke detectors are operating properly and also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector near your fireplace. 

Wait 5 minutes before attempting to light the pilot light if it goes out, this helps to ensure any gas that may be in the air will have dissipated. Keep children from getting too close to the fireplace when it is being used, skin or clothing can easily burn if pressed against the glass face. 

Before cleaning or wiping down the fireplace ensure that it has completely cooled off. Also make a point of regularly checking the outside area around the vent to make sure there is no buildup of debris.

If you suspect anything is wrong with the way your fireplace is operating, it is best to act quickly and contact the gas company or your fireplace supplier and have it looked at immediately. 

Things to be aware of include any unusual odors, or if the flames appear to be jumping or sputtering in an unusual manner. Any maintenance on either the venting system or firebox should be done by a qualified professional. 

It is recommended that you keep a detailed record of all inspections and service work that is done on your fireplace.

It may also be a good idea to keep all receipts, warranty and all related paperwork in one folder for ease of reference.

British Thermal Unit, the primary heat measurement unit used by the hearth industry. It is the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 lb. of water by 1 degree F. at sea level.

B Vent- A gas-burning appliance that takes in combustion air from the home and vents products of combustion outside the home. B-Vent is also commonly known as natural vent.

Builder Series- Fireplaces specially designed for builders and contractors, featuring a beautiful blend of elegance, efficiency and economy.

Cabinet- A fireplace cabinet is usually a wooden finishing option for direct vent or vent-free fireplaces which are installed on the floor of the room and vented through the wall. They encase the entire fireplace and can be made for walls or corners. They range from 13 to 28 inches deep.

Catalytic Combustor- A device used on some wood burning stoves to reduce the temperature at which smoke is ignited.

Catalytic or Non-Catalytic- Catalytic wood stoves and fireplace inserts have ceramic honeycombed chambers coated with a metal catalyst (usually platinum or palladium) that works to increase the rate of combustion. The catalytic combustor burns away gases and particulates normally emitted into the air. Catalytic wood stoves allow people to burn wood at lower temperatures for longer periods of time. With Non-Catalytic wood stoves, combustion occurs in the firebox. These stoves are generally less expensive than catalytic wood stoves and require less maintenance.

Chase- A structure built around, and enclosing, portions of the chimney and in some cases, housing the appliance.

Circulating Firebox- Has louvers at the top and bottom so that a fan can be installed. Louvers cannot be covered.

Clearance- The distance required by building and fire codes between stove, smoke pipe or chimney and combustible materials such as wood furniture or carpets. 

Clearances must be observed even if noncombustible plaster or other masonry materials protect the combustible materials, such as wood furniture or carpets.

Direct Vent- An appliance that draws combustion air from outdoors and exhausts it's combustion products to the outdoors eliminating the need for a standard chimney system. A glass panel in direct vent units is critical to keeping the combustion system sealed from the home, maintaining high efficiency and indoor air quality.

Electronic Ignition- Requires electricity to start the unit either 110 volt or battery.

EPA Regulations- Government regulations of wood burning appliances mandating that products sold after July 1, 1992 emit no more than 4.1 grams of particulate matter per hour for catalytic-equipped units and no more than 7.5 grams for non-catalytic-equipped units.

Firebox- That portion of the solid fuel appliance where the fuel is located and where primary combustion occurs.

Hearth- The floor of the firebox, most commonly used in reference to fireplaces. More generally, the foundation upon which fires for aesthetic and heating purposes are built. Differs from floor protection.

High-Efficiency Wood-Burning Fireplace- EPA-approved fireplaces offering a balance of elegance and energy efficiency.

Inserts- Heating units that retrofit into an existing fireplace (masonry or factory-built). They burn wood, gas or pellets and offer superior efficiency.

Mantel (Flush Mantel)- Another finishing option for direct vent and ventless fireplaces. They can be wood, marble or stone. The mantels do not encase the entire fireplace, but frame it. Therefore they are only 1 3/4 to 2 1/2 inches deep. Mantels are used when the fireplace is installed inside the wall or on the outside wall of the house.

Manually Controlled- Control the height of the flame at the unit only.

Mid-Efficient, Heat-Circulating, Wood-Burning Fireplace- Security's HE43 fireplace adds style and warmth to any home with 50% efficiency and a panoramic view of the fire.

ODS -- Oxygen Depletion Sensor- A safety device that activates the fire’s flame monitoring device in case excessive levels of CO² (deadly carbon monoxide), are detected. This would reduce the levels of oxygen, causing the pilot flame to become unstable and lift off the thermocouple tip. The fire then turns off automatically before the situation becomes dangerous.

Pellet Burning- Made of 100% wood sawdust with no additives. The sawdust in pellets is a manufacturing byproduct otherwise destined for landfills.

Radiant Fireboxes- Also known as flush face. The facing (Stone, Tile, Brick) can cover above and below the fireplace opening.

Remote Ready- Able to turn the unit on and off remotely via a wired or wireless remote. Remote is sold separately. The height of the flame cannot be adjusted remotely. Not recommended for vented gas logs.

Surround- For this site we will define a fireplace surround as a marble or tile frame between the fireplace itself and the wooden mantel. Cabinets seldom use surrounds. However, some manufacturers do call a wooden cabinet a "cabinet surround."

Thermostatically Controlled- Senses the temperature at the unit not of the room. Not as versatile as a remote ready with a thermostat.

Variable Flame Height- Via the remote, you can increase and decrease the height of the flame and turn the unit on and off. Also available in thermostatically controlled.

Vent-Free- Gas appliance that has no need for a flue. Although vent-free units offer high efficiency, some areas may not permit their use. Please check with your local building official.

Zero Clearance Fireplace- A factory-built fireplace that is constructed so that it can be placed, safely, close to combustible material.

A fireplace includes various types of fuels for building fire. You can use coal, firewood, gas and much more. Today gas fireplaces are becoming popular as coal and firewood are hard to ignite and there are more restrictions on air pollution. Most modern fireplaces use gas as a fuel.

There are various reasons why gas fireplaces are better than the other fireplaces. A gas fireplace ensures clean burning. It does not create pollution or suspend particles in air. 

Gas is available in almost all areas and it is used as a priority fuel in cities and towns. This also because if the fact that the gas fireplaces can never run out of gas in the urban areas. A gas fireplace is recommended to you as gas can be ignited easily and one can control the flow of gas to control the fire. Gas fireplaces come with a controlling knob so you can set the fire intensity and length of flame according to your choice.

Types of gas fireplaces

As the demand of gas fireplaces has increased over recent years, newer innovations have been implemented to make better fireplaces. There are widely three types of gas fireplaces available in the market. Buying an appropriate gas fireplace is a tough job, as you need a gas fireplace that meets your requirements.

Inserts

If you have a wood burning masonry or a factory-built metal fireplace, you can convert them to gas by using inserts. A gas burner and fake logs are installed in your existing fireplace cavity. For viewing the fire, it provides you with a glass front. The existing chimneys are also modified as per the venting of a gas fireplace.

Factory built gas fireplaces

Factory built gas fireplaces are freshly installed in your house. They are installed when you have a separate space for a fireplace. It consists of its own burner and fake logs which are situated inside the firebox. This gas fireplace should be installed by the professionals preferably. If you insist on installing it yourself, you should read the manual carefully and arrange for the required venting system too.

Free-standing gas fireplaces

This gas fireplace is highly effective in transmitting heat into the house. All the surfaces of the fireplace are exposed to the room, providing you the maximum heating. The glass fronts used on these fireplaces are made up of ceramic glass.

Things you should consider while buying a gas fireplace

First of all, you should consider the size and power of your fire place. 

Next you should consider what kind of fuel, your gas-fireplace uses– what is its source of energy. You should consider if you want to buy a gas fireplace which uses propane as a fuel or natural gas as a fuel. Either of these produces almost identical heat outputs.

You should also consider the fact that where do you want your gas fireplace to be located. Analyze, if you just want to enjoy the flickering flames of fire, or you require heat from the fireplace as a primary heating source. Before buying a gas fireplace you should determine the amount of heat you require.

Venting is also an important issue to be considered while installing a gas fireplace. There are different types of venting available for your gas fireplace. You must ensure that the correct venting system is in place your fireplace. It is always a good idea to use a qualified professional to install your fireplace.

Adding a gas fireplace not only adds class to your home, but also provides you with the necessary warmth that you need. Installing a gas fireplace is an investment well worth it.

The sight of fireplaces can bring back sweet and nostalgic memories of families gathering around the living room when the weather is just too cold for outside activities. Fireplaces are indeed functional but most often, fireplaces are also constructed for aesthetic purposes.

People began to realize the need for fireplaces as the structure of their homes changed and they discovered that they have to heat the rooms to make them more comfortable for humans.

Fireplaces used to be made of crude materials but with the improvement of casting techniques and technology, fireplaces became more and more sophisticated. Fireplaces need to have an insert usually made of cast iron beautified by tiles. A fireplace’s insert is the part where the fire is located. Another important element of a fireplace is the surround or the sides, which can be made of iron or even wood.

Since cast iron is the basic material used in the construction of fireplaces, it can be understood why the Industrial Revolution also paved the way for the popularity of fireplaces. The development of new methods in smelting iron also made the materials used for fireplaces more affordable.

While fireplaces became popular during the Victorian era, modern-day Americans still use fireplaces, although these are now more modern, to heat their homes. Depending on one’s budget, one can get a fireplace that is only mechanical or a more advanced one with remote controls for ventilation and thermostat levels.

A stove fireplace, commonly seen in Western films, can be situated in any area provided it can be attached to a chimney for the airing of the burned gases. This kind of fireplace uses wood or coal for fuel. 

Fireplaces are further categorized depending on the type of fuel used like natural gas, coal or wood. In the olden days, fireplace owners used firewood as fuel but this type of fuel can be difficult to set fire to. Wood is the all-time favorite fireplace fuel because it is less expensive. Firewood is also available for free, for those living in areas surrounded by trees.

Today, most fireplaces are fueled by natural gas mainly because it does not cause too much pollution as compared to firewood and it is easy to ignite and control. 

Some fireplace owners however prefer using firewood because it evokes feelings of relaxation and nostalgia. This preference gave rise to manufactured woods that produce a cleaner burn and are easier to ignite. Creative businessmen however tried to satisfy man’s craving for the natural effect of firewood by manufacturing a modern fireplace, which has flame control. This kind of fireplace can make the flame look like real wood.

Lucky are those who are able to enjoy the comforts offered by fireplaces. Whether they may be old or sophisticated fireplaces. For they offer comfort not only for the body but also for the heart.