In this issue of "Doug Talks..."
Fireplaces 🔥
When considering ways to remodel a home, many people consider adding or restoring an indoor fireplace. They do so much more than merely heat up a room; fireplaces change the feel of a room as well, making it more romantic and cozy. There are several different types of indoor fireplaces you can purchase, but they basically fall into the broad categories of wood burning, gas burning, or electric.
Wood Burning Fireplaces
Traditional Open Hearth
These are the types of fireplaces that have existed for centuries. Typically made of stone or brick, when you are close to them, you can really feel the heat, smell the wood burning and hear it crackling away. They feel the most authentic, however, they often are not as effective at heating the room as some of the more modern varieties. Also, if you do not already have a fireplace in your home, it will require a fair amount of construction work to put in both the opening itself and the chimney for proper venting.
Wood Burning Stoves
Although not technically a fireplace, wood burning stoves are an alternative that allows you to burn wood for heating without needing a fireplace. It will, however, require a pipe to vent the smoke through a chimney to the outside.
Gas Burning Fireplaces
Direct-Vented Built-in Fireplaces
The direct-vented variety can be vented through an existing or newly constructed chimney, however, you can alternatively use a pipe so that less changes in the house’s structure are necessary and it can be installed in any room. The flame is yellow so it has more of the feel of a wood burning fireplace.
Ventless Built-in Fireplaces
Ventless built-in indoor fireplaces are the simplest to install as there is no need for a chimney or vent. With this type, the flame color is the blue typically associated with burning gas. Although every effort is made to keep them clean burning, it is possible that some contaminants will enter your home with the use of a ventless built-in fireplace.
Electric Fireplaces
Mantel Electric Fireplaces
Mantel electric fireplaces are meant to mimic a built-in wood-burning fireplace, but they do not require any venting or chimney access. This allows you to incorporate the elegance and tradition of a mantel fireplace in any room of your house without a lot of hassle or expense.
‌
‌