If you are ready to warm things up in your home, it’s important to know the types of fireplaces that exist in the market, what they offer, their advantages, as well as downsides.
Fireplaces come in handy, especially during winter when they add a touch of warmth to homes and social gatherings. Whether it’s part of your basement finishing or just a way to enhance your interiors, a fireplace is a great way to create a soothing and comfortable atmosphere.
In many homes, both traditional and modern, the fireplace is the focal point in the room. It improves the space and adds to the overall value of a home. Choosing the right fireplace for your home, however, can be a great challenge. The following are the pros and cons of the different types of fireplaces that every homeowner needs to know.
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
This is the oldest option for a fireplace. The wood-burning fireplace produces a rustic feel with a flame that delivers a natural smell and sound of burning wood. This type of fireplace, however, requires regular maintenance. You must have enough logs in stock, maintain the chimney, and clean the ash from the fireplace. On top of that, you need a screen to control the burning embers. Alternatively, a wood-burning fireplace with a gas-starter can easily convert into a gas fireplace by adding gas logs.
Another problem with this type of fireplace is the loss of heat through the chimney. It is also expensive to install since it requires a chimney for the smoke.
Gas Fireplaces
This model of fireplace delivers more efficient heat. Instead of wood fuel, it utilizes natural gas as the source of heat. The design is rather similar to that of a wood-burning fireplace, except it has a firebox that is vented through a chimney, which makes it easily convertible into a wood-burning fireplace. You can use a wide range of materials for this fireplace, including ceramic logs and modern flames that work behind the glass.
Gas fireplaces are available in two models: the direct vent and the ventless gas fireplaces. Direct vented fireplaces get air from outside and vent it out directly through the wall, without using a chimney. The flame works behind glass. Since they don’t use a chimney, they deliver a large amount of heat and don’t lose it quickly.
For a ventless fireplace, you need no venting, as you can place it against internal walls as long as gas is accessible. They burn quite clean without creating carbon monoxide. All the heat produced remains within the space. Overall, gas fireplaces are easy to use and require only a button push to switch on or off.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are ideal for condos and apartments since they don’t produce any flame, nor do they require venting. They are easy to install once you understand the instructions for placement and plugging it into an electric outlet. These types of fireplaces are available in various designs and provide a great way to enhance the atmosphere without a big budget.
Ethanol Fireplaces
Finally and importantly, there are ethanol fireplaces, which utilize ethanol to produce a clean, low heat with a blue flame that adds beauty to your space setting. They require no venting and therefore, you can place them at any point in the room.
Get the Perfect Fireplace
The right fireplace for your home depends on the design you want to achieve as well as your budget. Regardless of your choice, however, make sure you hire an expert to install your fireplace. Anything that involves burning fuel can be a hazard if not installed properly. Look for a company that specializes in basement finishing in Salt Lake City to ensure the safety of your fireplace installation.
