A Quick Guide to Fireplaces for the Home

(Last Updated On: 27/10/2021)

Fireplaces make excellent focal features in a property, and people are immediately drawn to a warm fire in a room. They elicit feelings of comfort, peace and cosiness, and can boost the aesthetic appeal of any home. In addition, a fireplace also provides warmth during the colder months and it can last you for the years to come. There are different types of fireplaces to choose from which can make picking one for the home difficult. Here are a few considerations you need to make when making your choice.

Wood-Burning Fireplaces

Traditional wood-burning fires can create a certain vibe in a room, and many people enjoy listening to the crackles and occasional pop of a wood burner. It is difficult to replicate the look and feel of a wood-burning fireplace. However, you need access to a chimney if you want to install one of these and you will need to follow a set of rules and regulations to ensure your home remains safe. Wood-burning fireplaces need to be constantly swept to ensure they don’t pose a fire hazard, or a health hazard. A lot of heat is also lost up a chimney which makes wood fires less efficient than other fuel types.

Firewood

The smoky aroma of burning wood is one of the top reasons people choose a wood-burning fireplace. However, they require a lot of wood in the long run. Besides sourcing quality firewood to get a fire going, you need to make sure you have a suitable place to store the wood. Firewood needs to be kept in a dry, well-ventilated place. To ensure your firewood stays dry and burns properly, it should be stored off the ground.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fires produce a real flame, and they are easy to install because they do not need a chimney. Without the need for a chimney or a flue, you have more options in where you can keep your fireplace, and it requires less maintenance and cleaning than wood-burning fires. There are many different styles of gas fireplaces to choose from. You can opt for standalone models – that are also great for the garden, hole in the wall models, gas stoves, classic fireplaces, and plenty of other designs. Gas fires are the cheapest to run and they retain heat well. For an array of fireplaces, stoves and accessories, visit stonewoods.co.uk.

Electric Fireplaces

As with gas fires, electric fires don’t require a chimney or a flue and are versatile in that they can be placed almost anywhere in the home, as long as it is close to an electrical outlet. There are many different electric fire options to choose from, they use less energy than other fuel types and they are generally the most environmentally friendly option. However, electric fires do not produce a real flame, which can be a deal breaker for some. In addition, they can hike up energy bills considerably and you can expect the fireplace to stop emitting heat during a power outage.