Friday, December 26, 2014

Choosing a fireplace for your home - By JT Construction

Whether you are building your dream home or updating an existing home, a fireplace can add warmth and coziness in the winter months. There are many considerations for choosing a fireplace that’s right for you, and all will add to the value of your home.

There are a few common concepts for heat to consider for your fireplace – gas, wood, or a wood-burning stove.
  • Gas log fireplaces. Gas logs provide more atmosphere than warmth, but can still heat a room enough to be comfortable. They may also be installed in fireplaces that don’t have any ventilation and run off of propane or natural gas. After the fuel supply is connected to the gas log set, the fireplace is ready to enjoy at the click of a button, making it more convenient than starting a traditional wood fire.
  • Wood burning fireplaces. Burning wood in your fireplace involves maintaining the chimney for proper ventilation, keeping a supply of wood on hand, and starting a fire by hand. Traditional wood burning in a fireplace can pull heat out of your home as well as most of the heat from the fire, making it a major source of energy loss in winter. On the bright side, roasting marshmallows indoors and smelling the wood burn elicits a fondness for times past and is not available with gas logs or a stove.
  • Wood burning stoves. Wood burning stoves do require a steady wood supply, but have the ability to heat an entire house. Additionally, the heat from a stove can be routed through your HVAC system and reach every room, significantly cutting down on your energy bills. Many also include a top that can be cooked on in the event of a power outage.
The design surrounding your fireplace will have an overall effect on the ambiance a fire has in a home. Stone and ceramic surrounds are both popular choices. A raised hearth is nice for sitting beside the fire on cold nights, but a level hearth may suit your needs just as well.

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