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Search the FireplaceMall Article Library for information to help you enjoy and care for your chimney, fireplace, outdoor fireplace and hearth
side.
Have a Question? Check the Subject Index.
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Bring the Beach to Your Fireplace Mantel
© 2007 PennVentures Inc.
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 The sand is no longer between your toes, and the beach towels are put away, but your summer beach vacation need not end. By bringing mementos of
your coastal holiday to your fireplace mantel and hearth, you can extend your enjoyment of your lakeside or seaside vacation......................................................[more]
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Decorating a Fireplace Mantel:
Candlesticks and Fireplace Accessories
© 2007 PennVentures Inc.
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Candles, with good reason, are often-used decorative accessories on fireplace mantels. Lit candles add flames that
complement the glow of a working fireplace, and the candlesticks add height to the mantel display. Yet the candlesticks also need to be of a material that will
harmonize with, not work against, your fireplace accessories..................................................[more]
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Fireplace Mantel Mirrors:
Five Mirror Decorating Tricks for over Your Fireplace
© 2007 PennVentures Inc.
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Mirrors are a traditional way to decorate a fireplace mantel. They add light to the room and seem to expand the area. But just because mirrors are traditional
over fireplaces does not mean they need to be used in traditional ways. Below are five decorating ideas for how to use mirrors over your fireplace
mantel..............................................................................[more]
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 Decorating Your Fireplace for New Years
© 2007 PennVentures Inc.
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Your fireplace is a great place to decorate when welcoming in the New Year. Here are three ideas for decorating your fireplace mantel and your fireplace for New
Year's Eve or New Year's Day..........................[more]
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Five Fireplace and Chimney New Year's Resolutions
© 2006 PennVentures Inc.
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Start the New Year right...right in front of your fireplace! These 5 New Year's Resolutions will help you make the most of your
fireplace!....[more]
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Christmas Fireplace Safety
© 2006 PennVentures Inc.
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 In the famous Christmas poem, the stockings were not just "hung by
the chimney;" they were hung "with care." Even in the midst of describing a nocturnal visit from Santa, the author noted one important aspect of Christmas fireplace safety!
Following are some essential Christmas fireplace safety issues to keep
in mind during the holidays:.....................................................[more]
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How Tall Should Chimney Caps Be?
© 2006 PennVentures Inc.
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Standard chimney caps come in a variety of heights. Some brands of chimney caps are available in heights ranging from 8 inches to 16 inches, but most chimney caps
have 10" tall screens. So does the screen height of chimney caps matter? Yes and no. If you are using chimney caps ..[more]
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Chimney Caps with 3/4 Inch Mesh or
Chimney Caps with 5/8 Inch Mesh:
What's the Difference?
© 2006 PennVentures Inc.
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Decorating Your Fireplace Mantel
with the "Three Plus One" Trick
© 2006 PennVentures Inc.
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You've found the perfect mirror, painting, quilt, tapestry, or element to center above your fireplace mantel. But how will you
decorate the fireplace mantel itself to get that "decorator look"?
One trick decorators use on fireplace mantels is "Three Plus One." Here's how it works:
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Decorating Your Fireplace
for Springtime and Easter
© 2005-2006 PennVentures Inc.
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Sure you decorate your fireplace and mantel for the winter holidays, but don't forget this important focal point in your room as Spring approaches. Here are some nearly-instant ideas for
springtime and Easter fireplace decorating:................................................................................[more]
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A Quick Guide to
New Fireplace Screen Shapes
© 2005 PennVentures Inc.
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Thinking about a new fireplace screen for your hearth? There are more options available now than
just a few years ago. Don't be overwhelmed by the possibilities for fireplace accessories, though. Here's a quick guide to fireplace screen shapes.
Fireplace screens vary by the number of panels they have, by whether the panels are straight or bowed, by the shape of the top of the screen, and by whether they have access doors. There is also a distinction between fireplace screens and fireplace spark guards...............................[
more]
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Firebacks: Which Type is Better
for My Fireplace?
© 2005 PennVentures Inc.
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Firebacks come in two types: stainless steel firebacks and cast iron firebacks. Both
types can be merely leaned against the back of your fireplace or stood in "feet" or brackets. And both types of firebacks also protect the back wall of your
fireplace. But each type of fireback does have its own advantages.........................................[more]
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As the weather hints of warmth and the spring buds appear on trees, firewood may not be the first thing that
comes to mind. But early spring is the ideal time to buy or gather your firewood for your fireplace or woodstove. Why? Here are 5 good reasons:
..............................[more]
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Not all firewood is created equal. If you have ever tried burning wood that is too green; too
long for your fireplace or woodstove; or too full of bugs, detritus, or sap, you know this already!
Know the length you want your pieces of firewood to be before cutting or purchasing firewood for either your fireplace or woodstove. For a fireplace, consider the length of your grate. If your wood is too short, ....[more]
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How much firewood should I buy, and when should I buy it? These
are questions that may lead busy homeowners to postpone ordering their firewood. Here are some answers from fireplace experts.
There's no surefire way to figure out how much firewood you will need for a year, but there are some guidelines for
estimating. In 1998, Vermont homeowners who heat primarily with wood burned almost 5 cords; those who burned wood as a supplement to other home heating.........[more
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It's not very difficult to choose exactly the right chimney cap for your home, especially if you take it one step at a time. There are just four things to consider: shape, type, metal, and size.
First, what shape should your chimney cap be?
Look at your chimney and find the flue,
the pipe that lets the smoke out. It's either round, square or rectangular. ...................................[more]
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You're convinced. You really do need a chimney cap to keep the rain from damaging your chimney flue and to keep squirrels,
raccoons, and bats from taking up residence. You have carefully measured your flue(s) and ordered the correct chimney cap. While you wait for it to arrive, give
a few minutes thought to its installation. Here's how:......................................[more]
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A
fireplace candelabra is a special way to make the natural focal point of a room, its fireplace, glow with the romance and beauty of a fire even when there are no burning logs. Here are some simple, quick tips for making the most of your fireplace candelabra.
First, some ideas about inexpensive ways to get the most razzle-dazzle out of your fireplace candelabra:
Place a mirror under your fireplace candelabra and let it reflect the candlelight.
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Every fireplace candelabra needs candles, of course. But candles in your fireplace candelabra provide more than fickering flames; they provide color, visual interest, mood, aroma, and drama to your room. These candle decorating tips add style and charm to your fireplace candelabra.
- Don't get in a rut and use the same style of candle every time. Try pillars, spherical candles, and tapers. Votive candles.......[more]
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You don't have to be an Eagle Scout to make a good fire in your
fireplace. You just have to use a tried and trusted method.
Let us assume (Ahem!) that you've had your chimney inspected and cleaned so that there's no build-up of flammable
creosote to worry about. You've taken the old ashes to your compost pile, or you .........[more]
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