How to Update Your Ugly Fireplace

Take a look at the fireplace in your home. Somehow it doesn’t look right. Perhaps the design is out of date. Or perhaps you have gotten tired of the existing look, and you yearn for a new fireplace design. If so, maybe it’s time to take a look at how to update your ugly fireplace. Here are some issues that you may wish to consider.

Design and style of the fireplace.

Early in the planning process, now is the time to browse through as many designs as you can to get a better grip on what you like. These may be designs that look traditional and classic, or they may be designs that look modern. Also consider the overall design of your home while you are browsing.

You can look for fireplace designs in lots of different places. Take a walk to your local bookstore or library and pick up the latest home improvement magazine. Home heating magazines may also provide tons of interesting designs for you to choose from. You can also switch on your computer and go online. There are literally thousands and thousands of websites with beautiful pictures of fireplaces. If you see something you like, remember to bookmark the web page or print it out for future reference. You may need to show it to your contractor.

Many contractors also offer fireplace catalogs for browsing. These may or may not be available on their websites. So you may need to call them up to request for a free catalog. Most will be happy to send you one.

Choice of materials for your fireplace.

A fireplace can be made from many different types of materials. Stone fireplaces seem to be back in style these days. There are many types of stone you can choose from – granite, limestone, and even marble. Of course, the type of material you choose will affect the cost of the fireplace. But fireplaces are meant to last for a very long time, so perhaps it’s a good idea to choose something that you really like.

The fireplace mantel.

Don’t overlook the fireplace mantel when installing your new fireplace. Unlike the actual fireplace, which needs to be made from fire resistant materials, you can choose to have a wooden mantel mounted on top of the fireplace. The benefit of having a wooden mantel is that you can replace it easily whenever you want to. A beautifully crafted fireplace mantel can make all the difference to the final appearance of your new fireplace.

Classic or modern fireplaces.

Traditional fireplaces use actual burning to generate heat. However, this leads to several problems. First, there is the smoke problem. Secondly, the burning leaves an unsightly mess in the fireplace.

Modern fireplaces are much cleaner because they actually generate heat from electricity. All you need to do is to flip a switch and the fireplace starts working. For such fireplaces, there is no real fire. A fake fire may even be simulated to help achieve the illusion of having a real fire burning in your home!

Why Everyone Will Want an Electric Fireplace in Their Home

Don’t get me wrong: I really do enjoy the warmth and comfort of a roaring fire. So I absolutely enjoy a good fireplace, especially if it has an elegant or stylish fireplace mantel surrounding it. And fireplaces have a tendency (with me, anyway) to conjure up happy memories of good times. Still, I think that electric fireplaces are superior for a number of reasons, and will oneday replace traditional fireplaces on account of their practicality and convenience.

I would like to mention now that artificial fireplaces are not to be confused (though they often are) with the notoriously corny video fireplaces of the past. Unlike video fireplaces, these modern appliances actually emit real warmth. An electrically powered fire scene serves as a secondary heater, or even a primary heater in average sized rooms. When it comes down to it, artificial fire scenes are just as capable of proliferating warmth as a real, traditional fire. It may not look absolutely “real” from directly nearby, but from a reasonable distance, say five yards or so, the artificial fire scene looks quite real enough.

Artifical fireplaces, unlike their traditional smoke-spewing counterparts, are quite friendly towards the environment. Because an artificial firebox runs solely on electric power, it releases absolutely no carbon emissions, as opposed to the substantial carbon imprint of real fireplaces. It does not smoke, so you won’t have to inhale those burning fumes, and your electric firebox won’t release smoke into the atmosphere via a chimney. Artificial fireplaces also help preserve natural resources: because they do not rely on wood or coal as fuel, they do not need to consume resources that could be used to achieve other, more practical ends.

These fireplaces are also significantly more convenient than their traditional wood-burning predecessors. They require a very simple installation, and after that, you have very little to worry about. You don’t need to clean it, though of course it is recommended that you wipe the screen for dust every now and then, just as you would clean a television or computer monitor. Additionally, with an electric fire scene, you don’t need to worry about the prior preparation a normal fireplace entails. Imagine coming home one evening, sitting down on the couch, perhaps sipping a soothing beverage, and enjoying the warmth and visual stimulation of a roaring fire after a simple flip of the switch. And the best part is, you won’t have to concern yourself with cleaning up the debris and ash the morning after!

An electrically powered fireplace is also remarkably convenient for people who live in apartments or homes that don’t have chimneys. With this innovation it is possible to enjoy the comfort and visual drama of a good fire, without needing to think about whether your home is properly ventilated, or has a chimney to vent out the smoke and fumes. And these fireplaces save you money in the long run: if you buy an artificial fireplace, you won’t ever have to concern yourself with purchasing expensive and fast-burning fuels like firewood and coal. Once your artificial fireplace is properly installed, the only fee you need to worry about is your electric bill. You don’t even have to worry about paying for the gas that normal fireplaces require. And once again, because you don’t need to clean an electric fire scene, you won’t have to fork over the cash to pay for cleaning supplies.

In all likelihood, however, the best and most important feature of artificial fireplaces is their safety value. Because there is no “real” fire, there is no real danger. You won’t have to watch your fireplace to ensure the fire doesn’t get out of control. You won’t even have to worry about furniture, decorations and other items that you wish to place near your artificial fireplace: at worst, anything you decide to put near the fire scene will get especially warm. No fire, no burning, no problem!

In short: simply put, there is a veritable treasure trove of benefits to electric fire scenes that real fireplaces simply do not provide, but an electric fireplace can do everything that a traditional fireplace can do, only better.

Fireplaces and Accessories

Fireplaces look great with the addition of the right accessories.

Fireplaces are becoming increasingly popular as people return their homes to their former glory. Period properties are common in the UK and each period has its own style of fireplace. Using this style, you can add accessories that are designed to make fireplaces the heart of your room and of your home.

Fireplaces – working and ornamental

Whilst a working fireplace is the dream of many homeowners, it isn’t always possible, so fireplaces can often simply be ornamental. Whichever it is in your home, think about both the fireplaces and the accessories you need in order to get the look you require. When you’re choosing fireplaces, you need to consider:

Fire baskets – fireplaces look bare without a fire basket, and whether you have an electric, gas or solid fuel fire, you’ll want a fire basket that complements your design themes. For ornamental fireplaces, fire baskets can be filled with wood, candles or even flowers to create a centrepiece.

Fireplace tools – working fireplaces require maintenance, and you’ll need tools in order to keep your fire burning and to clean it out once it’s died down. You can easily find tool sets for fireplaces that will match the style of your surround, and which are practical as well as decorative.

Fireguards – fireplaces are attractive, but can be dangerous, especially for young children. Fireguards can both look decorative and serve a useful purpose – shielding the heat from curious hands and faces. There are many different types of fireguard on the market, so finding one that fits in with your fireplace design should be straightforward.

Mirrors – classic fireplaces often have mirrors hanging over the top of them. This helps to make your room feel better and is also a great addition to the centrepiece of your room. Try to find a mirror that fits with the style of your fireplace and your room. You can mix periods if you’re clever, creating a real focal point.

Add Warmth To Your Home With A Fireplace Mantel

What’s a fireplace without a fireplace mantel? It would be a lonely hole in the wall were light comes from. Creepy isn’t it? A fireplace mantel is a substantial part of the whole fireplace setup of a home. Without the mantel, there wouldn’t be much to be excited about a fireplace.

Fireplaces have been focal points of attraction in the house. However, it is the fireplace mantel that really brings out the beauty of a fireplace. It serves a fireplace like a frame serves a picture. A proper mantel can also boost up the value of the house as an asset because it brings out the beauty of the house’ centerpiece.

Fireplace mantels have long been around, dating back to the Renaissance Period in Italy. The earliest designs were inspired by the architectural supremacy of the Greeks and the Romans. These designs were heavily embroidered with lavish designs and accessories. During the advent of the Edwardian era, the designs of mantels became more subtle. Today, design and materials come together to determine the overall look of the fireplace mantels.

There are two main things to consider when choosing the proper mantel for your fireplace. An improperly chosen and installed fireplace mantel is as bad as not having one at all.

Here are some important factors to look at:

-Type of mantel

Choosing the right type of mantel for your fireplace is the most important factor to look at. Different house motifs require different types of fireplace mantels. For older houses which are preserved well (which owners would want to further preserve) an antique fireplace mantel would be suitable. We are referring to colonial-style houses. The antique mantels have this certain timeless quality in them that brings back the designs of the older eras.

In determining the right type of mantel, people should first look at whether they would like to have a mantel shelf or a surround mantel (with designs on the side). Mantel shelves work differently in the sense that they accentuate the fireplace like a crown uplifts a king. The shelves are usually holds the prized possessions of the homeowner and display them for the visitors to see. Mantel surrounds accentuate the fireplace by giving dimensions to the sides of the fireplace.

-Material

Choosing the material to be used in the fireplace mantel is as important as choosing the design of the mantel. There are several materials which have become popular in terms of fireplace mantels. Let’s take a look at wooden mantels first.

After the First World War, wooden mantels started gaining popularity throughout the world. The main reason why it ascended in terms of popularity is that wooden mantels are relatively easy to install (as compared to stone or marble). Oak is perhaps the most popular kind of wood that is used in fireplace mantels because of its superior quality. Fiberboard is gaining popularity as an alternative material because it is cheap and elegant looking material.

A good thing about wooden mantels is that one can choose the kind of varnish or paint color that will be used. A downside in using wood as a mantel is that wood is combustible. One should check the local fire department with regards to the regulations in using wood as a fireplace mantel.

Stone mantels are one of the oldest fireplace mantels. The use of stone as a material for mantels can be traced back to the 16th century. The most popular kinds of stones that are used for mantels are marble, slate granite and limestone. However, the use of these stones can be quite heavy for one’s pockets. Cast stone, which is a pre-fabricated kind of stone, is popular today since it is very cheap as compared to the other stones. It resembles the expensive stones at a least-costly price. Cast stone mantels are usually priced starting at seven hundred dollars.

The fireplace mantel is as equally important as the fireplace itself, perhaps not in terms of functionality, but definitely in terms of aesthetics. Properly choosing the right type of mantel and the right materials are the two most important things in installing a fireplace mantel. Mantels can really be costly but they will really bring out the beauty of a house and increase its value.

Enjoy the Ambience of a Fireplace in Any Room

A fireplace is an attractive addition to any space. It adds warmth and style and it’s a great focal point. What if you only have a small space for a fireplace? Or what if your room is oddly shaped? That’s all right, as today’s fireplaces are available in various sizes to accommodate different room sizes and budgets. Corner gas fireplaces are available in direct vent, vent free or natural vent and usually come with either wood or marble mantels.

Gas fireplaces can be installed just about anywhere. Inside most gas fireplaces are ceramic logs and a burner that produces a glowing, natural gas-powered flame. You can also purchase a gas insert for your existing masonry fireplace. Inserts consist of a gas log set installed into a steel or cast iron heat exchanger and are usually sealed on the front with glass.

Electric fireplaces can be used with or without their standard heaters, meaning you can take pleasure in your “flames” anytime, anyplace, without worrying about the heat, and they are well sized to fit the snuggest of rooms. Some models are designed to be incorporated into existing brickwork or prefabricated fireplaces, opening up prospects all through the country where wood burning may not be desired, or even prohibited, or where gas just isn’t realistic as an alternative for conversion of the fireplace.

Portable fireplaces can be set up in minutes. They are perfect for apartments, condominiums, mobile homes, bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, and conference rooms: just about anywhere. These fireplaces can also be moved from room to room. Portable fireplaces let you benefit from a warm, romantic fire in any room of your house without the cost or labor connected with a traditional fireplace.

Thanks to outdoor gas fireplaces, now you can heat your outdoor space as well. Outdoor gas fireplaces can vary from country minimalism to stylish extravagance. They can be freestanding or built-in fireplaces. Pacific Products offers a portable outdoor fireplace that can be easily transported on camping trips, to parties, or simply to your backyard deck.

Ventless gas fireplaces are controversial but useful sources of heat for a single room. Any room that gets especially cold will benefit from a ventless gas fireplace as an alternate source of heat. Consider how you will primarily use your fireplace when choosing from the various models available. Several states within the United States, as well as other countries, have completely outlawed ventless fireplaces because of health concerns.

A fireplace naturally adds so much more than just heat. Having a fireplace used to be just a dream for people living in apartments or houses without chimneys. Now there’s the option of portable fireplaces. While not exactly new, the styles have certainly come a long way in recent years. A portable fireplace works with a gel type fuel that emits no smoke, no ash and most importantly, no harmful fumes.

Adam O’Connor is a gas fireplace pro, which provides excellent free information on freestanding gas and electric fireplaces. Adam O’Connor is an expert in his industry and his website helps people find answers to questions such as, what are some key differences between wood and marble electric fireplace mantels.

Gas Vs. Electric Vs. Wood-burning Fireplaces

Whether you’re looking for a way to heat your home, or just want a little romantic ambience in the evenings, a fireplace can be a fun way to achieve both. Which is the best type of fireplace though? Wood-burning? Gas? Electric? Something else?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of the three we’ve mentioned.

Wood-burning Fireplaces

Wood-burning fireplaces come with many homes, and you may already have one. The downside to wood fireplaces is that you have to buy or cut your own wood, store it somewhere dry so it can season, lug it in the house whenever you want to build a fire, and worry about stray sparks and other fire safety issues (such as not being able to leave the house while there are still embers glowing).

For all these reasons, many people who have traditional wood fireplaces don’t use them that often. In addition, a wood fireplace isn’t a very good way to heat a home. Much of the heat goes up the chimney, and drafts will come down even when the fireplace is not in use. Fireplaces that burn wood are also messy, and you’ll have to vacuum ashes often.

On the plus side, a crackling wood fire can be fun, especially in power outages. It’s also nice to snuggle up to when you want a romantic evening at home with your significant other.

So, who should consider a wood fireplace? If you don’t plan on building fires very often and aren’t worried about heating the house effectively, you can stick with a wood-burning fireplace. Also, if you’re in love with “real” fires—you know, the snap, crackle, and pop of actual wood going up in smoke—then a substitute fuel just won’t work.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces (which include gas inserts, gas log sets, and self-contained vent-free units that don’t require chimneys) are growing in popularity. Though they lack the reality of a true fire (sorry, no snap, crackle, and pop here), they can put out a pretty convincing flame. Their convenience also makes them a winner for many.

With gas fireplaces, all you have to do is flick a switch to turn them on. Upper end models even come with remote controls so you don’t have to get off the couch. Maintenance is minimal compared to all the work associated with wood-burning fires. Gas fireplaces are even good for area heating—that’s where you just heat the room or living area where you’re spending most of your time instead of turning on the home’s central heat and wasting money heating the whole house. Gas fireplaces can also work when the power goes out, so they are a nice backup way to heat the home during a storm or other emergency that leaves you without electricity.

Anyone who wants the warmth and ambience of flickering flames without the hassle of buying wood and cleaning ashes should consider a gas fireplace. Prices usually run about ,000 for unit and installation, though you can find some deals and get them cheaper from time to time.

Electric Fireplaces

Lastly, let’s look at electric fireplaces. They are a cheaper alternative to buying a gas insert or self-contained gas fireplace, and they are much cheaper than having a whole chimney and wood-burning fireplace installed. You do make quite a few sacrifices for that lower cost though.

Electric fireplaces are known for looking even “faker” than gas fires. There aren’t any actual flames, just digitalized versions that mimic fires.

Since electric fireplaces run on electricity, they won’t work during a power outage. They do put out some heat, but it is not the most efficient. They’re about on par with space heaters. Indeed many people have called them glorified room heaters.

On the plus side, electric fireplaces don’t require any sort of installation. They just come with a plug that you stick in an outlet, and voila: your fireplace is working. They can be a nice choice for people in condos or apartments, where you can’t make drastic changes to the walls (such as building a fireplace in your living room). Also, their easy portability means you can move them from room to room.

As you can see, gas, electric, and wood-burning fireplaces all have their advantages and disadvantages. Hopefully this article has helped you decide which is best for you.

A Fireplace Remodel

The appearance of the fireplace, often the focal point of a home, is important in many homes. Remodeling and updating a fireplace and mantel can make a room look and feel completely different. Compared to some other remodeling projects, a fireplace remodel is relatively inexpensive. Depending upon the choices you make about style, materials, installation and size, a fireplace remodel can cost as little as 0 for a simple pre-fabricated mantel and a change of color for the fireplace or as much as ,000-4,000 for a more elaborate change in its appearance.

If you have decided you want to change your fireplace, start with a little bit of research. Look at houses built in an architectural style similar to your home. Also look at design and decorating books and magazines. This will help you understand the fireplace style that is most appropriate for the architectural style of your house. It will also help you think about design options you want to include in your remodeled fireplace. Whether you want to update the look of your fireplace, change the proportions, or achieve a more or less formal appearance, this research will help you define what you really want.

The next step is to learn about the types of materials you can use to remodel your fireplace and which materials do and do not work together. You will already have some ideas from your research. Talk with a fireplace contractor or a home designer or just spend some time shopping home improvement stores to learn about the different types of lumber, the types and styles of moldings and pilasters (columns) that are available, and the other materials you may want to use, such as stone, brick, drywall, etc. It will be worth your time also to look at and consider tile and cultured or fabricated stone for your project.

Once you know what materials are available and you define the style you want in your new fireplace, check on your local building codes early in the design process. Flammable materials, such as wood, need to be kept some distance from the firebox. Local building codes may vary, so you need to know local requirements. According to the National Fire Protection Association, however, there are minimum standards. This agency has stated minimal safety standards as follows:

* There must be a least 6 inches between the sides and top of the firebox opening and any wood that projects up to 1.5 inches from the face of the fireplace.

* Any wood that projects more than 1.5 inches from the face of the fireplace, such as a mantel or pilasters, must be at least 12 inches from the opening of the firebox.

Home improvement stores will have a number of pre-fabricated fireplaces and mantels available in various sizes or built to the size you need. These will cost far less than a custom-designed fireplace and mantel built on-site. Another way to save time and labor cost, as well as recognizing some savings on the cost of materials, is to consider pre-made panels for the fireplace surround. These panels are made of stone that has been cut to a thickness of ½ inch to 3 inches. These thin pieces of stone are then attached to a backing and sold in panels. For a do-it-yourselfer, this can be the ideal way to achieve the appearance of a custom fireplace that is affordable and easy to install. Another option for an older house or to achieve the more ornate look of an older house is to buy a used or antique mantel.

If you want to add a fireplace to a room and you don’t want to lose space in a room on the second floor to a chimney, you might want to consider installing a direct-vent gas fireplace. This type of fireplace does not need a chimney because it vents through the wall at the back of the fireplace.

In building or remodeling a fireplace it is extremely important that materials be installed properly. You will also find that you will need to be very precise in cutting lumber, moldings, stone, tile, or other materials. If you are doing the work yourself, you will need an accurate miter box and you will need to make very precise measurements.

Whether you build or remodel your own fireplace or you hire a contractor to do the work for you, careful research before you start designing the focal point of your room and care and precision in the work will produce a wonderful addition or update to any room.

Copyright 2007 by ABCD Publishing

How to Make Sure Fireplace Mantels Became the Focal Point of a Room

When we look at fireplaces we tend to see how well the fireplace blends in with the décor of our homes. We look at fireplaces in a mundane way. This is mainly to make sure that the fire has not gone out. We will also make sure that we see if there is any chance of a fire starting in the rest of the house because of the fireplace. The one place that we rarely look at is that of the fireplace mantels.

While the fireplace mantels are great places to keep ornaments they also serve another purpose. This seldom considered purpose is the fact that the mantels serve as the ceiling area of the fireplace and the beginning of the chimney flue. The wide area of the fireplace mantel will ensure that there is a wide area all around the fire to let it grow to a proportion that will heat the room where the fireplace is located.

Fireplace mantels help to reinforce the walls of the house around the area of the fireplace. They act as an extra wall near the beginning of the flue. These are just the design modifications you will find for the working conditions of the fireplace. Now once you have looked at how the fireplace is made you will also get to see the decorative embellishments which are placed above the opening of the fireplace.

These decorative looks of fireplace mantels are made by craftsmen. Today the finest examples of mantel art can be seen on fireplace mantels that have been made in Italy, USA and England. The other types of mantel work are of a lesser quality that does not match the beauty of the earlier fireplace mantels.

While these mantels look spectacular they are now very rarely seen as many of us have different forms of fireplaces. Where the earlier fireplaces were large and wood burning the ones of today are smaller sized. These fireplaces cater to the needs of gas burning and electrical fireplaces. These types of fireplaces are also designed to fit in with our living space.

For this reason there is almost no need to have any type of fireplace mantel. For those people who are lucky enough to have a large sized fireplace in their homes you will definitely see an example of fireplace mantels.

The next time that you are about to light a fire in your wood burning fireplace take the time to check out how your fireplace looks. You may see fabulous art work craved and sculpted on the front part of the mantel. These are how the master sculptures of yore made sure that fireplace mantels became the focal point of a room.

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Weber 2726 Wood Burning Fireplace

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• Two wooden handles
• Four steel support legs

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