Having a fireplace at home is a great way to keep your home warm without racking up a huge electricity bill. Besides, they make a home feel cozier, right? Learn more about the most common types of fireplaces as you read below.
Image Source: Flickr
Wood-Burning Fireplaces
A wood-burning fireplace is the oldest and most traditional fireplace option, valued for its aesthetic. You can’t beat the look, smell and sound of a wood fire.
However, its greatest asset is also its biggest liability. Wood fireplaces require storing logs somewhere or running to the store periodically for an evening’s supply.
This type of fireplace has the most upkeep, requiring maintenance of the chimney and cleaning ash out of the fireplace.
Wood-burning fireplaces spit out burning embers, so screens are needed to ensure safe use. Finally, wood-burning fireplaces may lose more heat up the chimney than they create. This can be altered with elements added to the fireplace to diminish air movement up the flue. Source: AngiesList
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces burn natural gas instead of wood, and thus provide cleaner, more efficient heat. Some gas fireplaces are constructed much like traditional wood-burning fireplaces, with a firebox that is vented through a chimney. Other types of gas-fireplace designs allow for more flexible choices of the fireplace’s location because they’re designed so that they can be located near walls or other potentially combustible structures. Some freestanding fireplaces may be located away from walls. Direct-vent or B-vent fireplaces can be vented directly through an exterior wall without the need for a chimney.
Gas fireplaces typically provide more control over the size of the flame and the unit’s heat output. Some units are equipped with thermostats to regulate their output and remote controls to make their operation easy and convenient. But gas fireplaces don’t offer the charm and the aesthetics of a wood-burning fireplace. Source: Hunker
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces produce warmth by heating coils. Many feature internal fans to help distribute heat. There are also different style options for electric fireplaces that make the flame look more lifelike.
Benefits:
– No actual flame
– Safe to have around children and pets
– Energy-efficient
– Most cost-effective
– No vent necessary (therefore minimal installation)
– Easy to install and maintain Source: Wayfair
Have the chimney inspected before winter kicks in. Call us today!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
