Selecting the Best Fireplaces for Your House

Selecting the Best Fireplaces for Your House
Thinking of installing a warm and comforting fireplace in your house? That’s certainly a great decision for the winter season to tackle the extremely chilly weather. Fireplaces are a wonderful way to keep the house as well as our bodies warm in the cold seasons. However, while selecting the right kind of fireplace for your house, it is important that you are aware of the various choices available for you to select from. What you buy depends on what your individual requirements are which vary a lot according to the structure of your house and where you intend to install the fireplace.

What are the different types of fireplaces?
There are many types of fireplaces which are quite popular and are used by a large number of people to keep their house warm in cold winters. There are fireplaces that are different in sizes, material used and the fuel used. There are also different styles and designs to suit your individual liking and preferences. The most popular types include the built-in fireplace, freestanding fireplace, wall-mounted fireplace, etc. Different materials are used as fuel to produce fire or heat from them such as wood, gas, gel, electricity, etc. Following is a brief description of these different types of fireplaces and their distinct features.

How built-in fireplaces lessen hassles?
Built-in fireplaces are among the most common types and are used in a lot of houses for years. They are called by that name because they are ‘built-in’ the wall or a corner of a room. Usually they are built into the walls of the living room or resting rooms. They are built with a mantel which is customizable according to the owner’s needs and choice. A chimney is attached to these fireplaces to carry the smoke out of the roof of the house. These fireplaces usually use wood or gas as fuel. More modern types of built-in fireplaces may use gel or electricity as fuel.

Are free-standing fireplaces best for my place?
These fireplaces offer the attractive appearance of a built-in fireplace but they don’t need you to make any physical changes in the structure of your house to install them. They can be completely free-standing allowing the flexibility to put them in any location of your choice in your house. They can also be connected to a pipe for carrying away the smoke in case of wood or gas fueled ones. Those models that use gel or electricity do not emit any fumes or smoke and therefore do not need any arrangement for carrying them out of the house. This makes these types of fireplaces extremely convenient to use and install.

What are the kinds of wall-mounted fireplaces available?
The wall-mounted fireplaces, as the name suggests, are mounted or installed on the walls. They usually use electricity and artificial flames. These fireplaces are very slim in shape similar to a flat screen tv. Since they can be installed on the wall of any room of the house they are extremely convenient to use. They do not take-up any space on the floor thus making them very effective for house that are smaller in size or do not have vary spacious living rooms to install a traditional fireplace.

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How to choose the best fireplace for your home!

Your home is the most important place in your life where you can relax and enjoy pleasurable moments with family and friends. One thing that adds warmth and a sense of comfort in your home is- fireplace. If you are planning fireplace installation in your house, you need to make a well informed choice as several options are available. Not only variety of sizes is available these fireplaces come in myriad materials and types. You can choose a fireplace that matches perfectly with the overall décor of your house. If you have furnished your home in a traditional style, you can go for traditional fireplaces, and if you have decked up your house in latest styles and designs, you can go with ultra modern fireplaces.

Variety of fireplaces
# Built in type - This is the most common type of fireplace used in homes. As the name suggests, they are built within a wall. Mostly they can be seen in drawing rooms or living rooms. A chimney is connected to this fireplace that safely lets out the smoke out of the house. A mantel is also used when building these fireplaces and owner of the house can choose a mantel as per his interest. Many times, it is seen that fireplaces are built on a wall that divides two rooms and glass is used to customize the same. Warmth of this fireplace can be enjoyed by people in both rooms. Usually wood or gas is used, but in modern fireplaces, fuel or faux flames can also be seen.

# Free Standing- The basic purpose of these fireplaces is to provide warmth to the residents. These fireplaces also offer a unique visual appeal that is fitted in a house with a little bit alterations. Highly flexible in use, these fireplaces are either wholly freestanding or are joined to an outlet pipe. It will majorly depend on the material that is being used for burning. In case wood or gas is being burned, it is essential for these fireplaces to have a vent pipe. This pipe will carry fumes outside. It acts as a chimney. Since a lot of danger is involved in smokes and fumes from gas and wood, it is essential that these fireplaces are vented. However, such risks are not seen in the models that use gas or electricity to run with imitation flames. This fireplace is more of a decorative accessory that is commonly used in many homes.

# Wall Mounted- As the name implies, this fireplace is essentially electric. Looking like a flat screen TV, artificial flames can be seen in them. They use electricity to run and are famous in those homes where owners like the idea of using a fireplace in their homes but do not want to take the risk of fumes and smoke. Since they are wall mounted, there is no space going waste. With making any adjustments in construction, these fireplaces can be used. In small homes or homes where rooms are quite small, these fireplaces are perfect.

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Fireplace Accessories - Style the Heart of the Room

Fireplace accessories are great additions and are increasingly becoming popular as they glorify the fireplace and make it an extraordinary one. Fireplace finds its way in contemporary homes too, big reason why homeowners keep finding ways to adorn the fireplace. Styling the fireplace speaks volumes of individual taste as well as personality. It is therefore essential to pick right accessories that add charm to the fireplace rather than overdoing it. A lot of ideas are available in the internet, one can take inspiration from such websites or can even consult an interior decorator.

Fireplace Screen
Fireplace screen is an extremely elegant addition and is a firm, unbend-able structure positioned directly in front of the fireplace opening. The folded screen is built using 3-5 panels and is placed few inches outside the fireplace. One can find array of styles including plain, folding, to elaborate pieces of art that suit the decor of almost all homes be it Conventional, Contemporary, Antique or Country. One even has the options to choose from wide range of materials like steel, wrought iron, brass, glass, copper, polished iron and stained glass.

Fireplace Tools
Fireplace tools are essential for working fireplaces especially for maintenance. The tools not only help homeowner to keep the fire burning but also are a great aid during cleaning when the fire has died out. The tool sets can be matched according to the style of surround as  it looks extremely classy. Iron and brass are two common materials used for making fireplace tools; chrome, bronze, nickel, wrought iron, copper and pewter are few other materials which have been recently discovered for tool making. The fireplace tools can be styled amazingly with accents which are made from materials like cherry wood and marble.

Fire baskets
Fire places minus the fire baskets look dull and boring. Fire baskets blend well with all types of fireplaces be it electric, gas or solid fuel one. Fire baskets in case of ornamental fireplaces can be converted to centerpiece by using innovative ideas like filling it with wood, candles or even with exotic flowers.

Candelabra
Candelabra can add life to fireplaces without the need of of constructing traditional wooden fireplace.  A candelabra is a candle holder that is positioned inside the fireplace. The fireplace Candlebra offers the same warm flickering glow which a traditional wooden fireplace imparts, without the additional burden of procuring wood and building one.

Fireguards
Fireguards are extremely practical as they protect children from harming themselves; children usually get attracted to the glow of fireplaces it thereby shields curious hands and faces from the heat. The fireguards are not just practical but are decorative too. Plethora of fireguards are available in the market, select one that best compliments the design of the fireplace.

Mirrors
Mirrors hanging on top of the fireplaces look classy and elegant. It indeed converts the fireplace as the center of attraction. Various styles of mirrors are available, one can mix periods smartly in order to beautify the space and create an amazing focal point.

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