by Tom

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by Tom

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Wood fireplaces are a heartwarming classic.A fireplace is a wonderful addition to any room, emitting heat, light and ambiance making for a toasty and welcoming atmosphere. If you are thinking of adding a fireplace to your home, you may be wondering type of fireplace is best for you. Read on to learn about electric, gas, and wood fireplaces. Consider their pros and cons when choosing a fireplace to match your needs.

1.)   Choosing a Fireplace: Electric, Gas or Wood?

Electric fireplaces are the simplest to install, as they do not require a chimney. They will not give out real flames, but will instead simulate flames and put off heat. The heat quality of electric fires can be as good as real fires but they can really drive up your electric bill.

A gas fireplace can give real fire and can be installed quite easily into your space. Gas lines will have to be run to the fireplace by a qualified installer, however. The huge benefit of a gas fireplace, that you do not have with any other type of fireplace, is that you can have instant heat. With modern fireplace designs you can decide how you would like that heat to look; you can opt for anything from a simulated wood fire to a string of tiny flames. Using a gas fireplace as a major heat source can be expensive, though.

A wood fire will put off more heat and cost less to run than any other type of fire. A wood fire will also have the mark of authenticity with real and genuine crackles and sparks that will add to that fairy tale feeling of sitting next to the fire. Wood fireplaces require chimneys, of course, so installation costs can be considerable. If you’d like a wood fireplace but don’t want to modify your home with a chimney, consider building an outside fireplace. They can be a wonderful place to gather around, and will add value to your home.

Wood fireplaces do require more maintenance, including yearly inspections by a chimney sweep. You’ll also need to scoop out the ash every once in a while. Plenty of fireplace accessories are available to help you with this though.

2.)   Choosing a Fireplace: Considering the Aesthetics

Once you have decided on the type of fireplace that you want, your next decision will be the look of the fireplace. What are your aesthetic preferences? If you decide on a wood fire, then a stone or brick hearth is the classic choice. Gas and electric fireplaces come in a wide array of styles, from simulating a classic wood fire to sleek, modern appliances built out of stainless steel and glass.

How you accessorize your fireplace will have a large impact on the overall look and feel. There are many fireplace screens, tools and accessories that have a positive impact on the aesthetics of your fireplace as well as a practical impact.


 

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5 Comments

  1. Gasshoppe August 10, 2012 at 3:33 AM - Reply

    I personally like wood fireplaces, but think gas fireplaces are better as this is better for our environment.

    • Tom August 10, 2012 at 10:47 AM - Reply

      It depends on where you live, too. Wood fires can contribute to air pollution in areas where that’s a major concern, but they put off less CO2 than gas fires, so it’s a bit of a tradeoff.

  2. Robert Smith May 10, 2016 at 6:52 AM - Reply

    Hey, Tom its a nice article for choosing a fireplace. I personally like a gas fireplace because it doesn’t produce any smoke or ashes. So it doesn’t harmful for our health. http://www.ventlessfireplacereview.com/2015/11/01/top-dual-fuel-ventless-gas-fireplace-review/ I found this article and

  3. Mike George October 19, 2016 at 1:24 AM - Reply

    Thank you very much Tom for your impressive article. I found this informative post.

  4. Patricia Russell December 9, 2016 at 7:49 AM - Reply

    Tom thanks for your thought. I’m glad that I found your post.

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