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January 31, 2010
Having a fireplace tool set is important. There are 5 essential parts to every fireplace tool set. They include; a poker, dust pan, broom, shovel and tongs. Each of these pieces serve a different purpose and are important for the cleanliness and esthetics of your fireplace and surrounding area.
1. Poker
The poker is an essential tool because it allows you to move the pieces of wood around without having to touch the fire or get too close. It will allow you to spin the wood around and reposition it. If you do not move the wood around the flames will begin to decrease and the fire will lose intensity. Fireplace pokers come in different finishes and styles and choosing one that suits your needs and décor will allow you to customize your fireplace tool set.
2. Dust Pan
A dust pan will allow you to keep the fireplace hearth and surrounding area clean and ash free. If you are looking at the esthetics of your fireplace it is important to keep a dust pan on hand that can be used to clean up any dust and debris that has been left from the fire. Look for one that has a long handle that will allow you to reach into the fireplace without having to get yourself full of the dirt you are trying to clean up. Most fireplace tool sets come with a dust pan included so matching the style and finish will be easy.
3. Broom
Like a dust pan, a broom is essential for cleaning the fireplace and surround. The hearth will need to be swept often and having a small broom will allow you to clean-up the tiny dust particles and ashes. Look for a broom that can withstand heat and has bristles that are tough. The stronger the bristles the longer the broom will last. The broom is a piece that will more than likely come with an entire set of fireplace tools but if you are looking to purchase them separately find one that works well for your intended purpose that will last.
4. Shovel
Having a shovel as part of your fireplace tool set is important. The ash shovel will allow you to tend to the fire and to move the ashes from the fireplace to a trash bin or bucket. Choose a shovel that is compact with a long handle. The handle will allow you to reach farther back into the fireplace to reach any ashes that are otherwise out of reach.
5. Tongs
Tongs will allow you to pick up the firewood and position it exactly where you need it. The tongs are essential as they are made of a heavy grade material so that they will withstand the heat of the fire and can be used with ease to maneuver the large pieces of firewood into place.
There are five pieces that are essential to any fireplace tool set. They include; poker, dust pan, broom, shovel and tongs. There are many options for style, texture and material when choosing a fireplace tool set. Make sure that you find one that is suitable for your needs that will withstand heat and last for years to come. Fireplace tool sets can also be used with wood burning stoves.
Fireplace Village sells many different styles and sizes of fireplace tools and accessories. We also carry a wide selection of wood stove tool and accessories. Buy fireplace accessories online or visit one of our New Hampshire fireplace and wood stove accessories stores.
A hearth rug is both functional and beautiful. It is used to keep the hearth clean and add to the décor of your room. There are several things to consider when purchasing a hearth rug. These things include; style, size and materials used. It is simple to find a rug that suits your needs if you consider the following three points.
1. Style
Hearth rugs come in many different styles. You will want to find one that matches the overall décor of your room. Choose one that coordinates with the colors in the room. If you are going for a more formal flare consider a rug with ornate detail. If you are looking for a rug that is contemporary look for one that has more clean lines and less fussy details to it. A hearth rug should reflect your overall style as it is part of the focal point of your room.
2. Size
The size of the hearth rug is an important consideration. Depending on the look that you are trying to create you will either want to purchase a semi-circle or rectangular rug. For instance, if you have a large room and you are trying to pull the seating area and fireplace together, choose a rug that is rectangular and large enough to touch the hearth and the surrounding seating area. This will allow for more intimate esthetics and a stronger appearance of the fireplace. If you have a smaller space, you may want to consider a smaller semi-circle rug. This type of rug will allow you to have a beautiful conversation piece without overpowering the room.
3. Materials
There are several options for the material that your hearth rug is made of. The basic deciding factors are price point and the level of protection that you need. A nylon rug will be the most inexpensive option. It will withstand being scorched but will protect the surface underneath. They come in many different styles and can be used for many years. A wool rug will offer a higher level of protection and are made of a natural material. They will withstand the heat and will not melt if an ember hits it. These rugs are very rich in color and come in many different textures and styles. The highest quality and most expensive option is a fiberglass rug. This type of rug will not melt or burn. If the rug gets black marks or dirt on it, it can be easily washed away. Often the selection for style and color will be limited but these rugs will last a long time.
Finding a hearth or fireplace rug that suits your budget and desired level of protection is important. There are several things to consider when purchasing a hearth rug. You must look at the style, size and materials used for the rug. You will need to look at how safe the rug is to be used by the fireplace and how long it will last as well. The hearth rug that you choose will make it much easier to clean the surrounding area and will add to the focal point of your room.
Fireplace Village is the largest hearth rug store in New Hampshire and New England. Visit one of our New Hampshire locations to purchase hearth rugs or buy hearth rugs online.
There is something about a fireplace that adds comfort to any area and your backyard is no exception. Adding outdoor fire pits to patios or landscapes will brighten and warm the area, creating the perfect place for entertaining and relaxing.
Homeowners have many different choices in outdoor fire pits and each one will have a slightly different effect on your landscape. Some people even opt to build a firepit themselves, using stone and elbow grease to create the desired ambiance. Make sure that a do-it-yourself project will produce a fire pit that meets all safety and building codes, as you don’t want to make a mistake when there are flames involved.
For a tested and safe alternative, choose one of the styles out on the market today. You can purchase the size, shape and materials that suit your tastes. Outdoor firepits are available in wood burning and gas burning models. Copper is one popular alternative. With a rich color and often sporting decorative legs, copper fire pits add a sense of style to your patio. They can be found in a rectangular or round shaped and will come with a lid for spark protection. Many copper pits have decorative shelves underneath to hold logs and kindling.
Other metal outdoor fire pits are larger and more utilitarian than their fancier copper cousins. They will fit more than one log, often building decent sized fires that last a good while. Another benefit of this type of fire pit is the portability of it. They are often on two wheels and two stand legs, in the same style as a BBQ grill. Tip them up and roll them to your preferred location. Some even double as an open grill, with attachments that transform your fire pit into a cook pit and your patio party into a feast.
Fire tables are growing in popularity. Essentially low outdoor fire pits that are framed in a sturdy tabletop, fire tables are usually set in one place permanently. Often outdoor patio furniture such as outdoor couches and loungers will be set out around the fire table. They lend a very relaxed and luxurious atmosphere to your patio, and depending on the size you settle on, can hold a good sized fire.
Perhaps the most mainstream outdoor fire pit is the chimenea. Originated from Mexico, chimeneas are rustic looking, hold only small fires and can be moved with a little work. They are often made from clay or ceramic.
With any outdoor fire pit, be sure that you have an area around it that is free of any flammable materials. Don’t set your patio furniture too close and keep children a safe distance away. If the pit doesn’t come with a ledge or shelf for log storage, consider where you will store the fuel so that it is close at hand.
Enjoy the warmth and relaxation that outdoor fire pits offer and leave a place for one in your backyard landscape design. You will enjoy many nights with family and friends watching flames flicker from your choice of pit.
Fireplace Village sells outdoor fire pits and fireplaces from a number of leading hearth manufacturers. Stop by one of our New Hampshire locations to purchase outdoor firepits or visit us online.
January 28, 2010
A fireplace insert is a metal fireplace made to fit inside an existing masonry fireplace. Because of the double walls around the fire box, warm air is trapped and circulated around the room; making fire place inserts an extremely efficient and economical solution to any old masonry fireplace. Fireplace inserts can heat most, if not all of a house because of their efficacy.
Older masonry fireplaces are an inefficient way to heat a home, as much of the heated air goes right back up the chimney, and the head cannot be felt unless right in front of the fireplace. Fireplace inserts transform existing fireplaces into a great way to heat a room or a home.
Fireplace inserts are available in a variety of fuel options, including gas and pellet. One reason many people opt for a fireplace insert is to switch their fuel from wood burning to gas burning. If tired of splitting, hauling or storing wood, or worried about sparks and dirt around the fireplace, a gas fueled fireplace insert might be right for you. Gas fueled fireplaces often come with great accessories such as a remote control, to raise or lower the intensity of the flame from anywhere in the room.
For those who enjoy the natural feel and sounds associated with wood burning, a traditional wood burning insert is a great way to update an old fireplace. Because of great accessories, such as a blower, wood burning fireplace inserts are extremely efficient. A blower is attached to the fireplace insert and circulates warm air around the room. The best part of a blower is that it uses no electricity, which means in the event of a power outage the fireplace insert will continue to provide light and heat in the home. Wood burning fireplace inserts also come with glass doors, which keep the fire contained and safe in the presence of children or animals. These doors prevent ash and sparks from flying into the room and keep the area surrounding the fireplace insert clean.
Be it gas, or wood burning, fireplace inserts can transform the use of an existing fireplace. Fireplace inserts are extremely customizable, and can fit with almost any existing decor. Paint that can withstand high temperatures allows for fireplace inserts to be customized to the room. Inserts also come in a variety of metal finishes, and can be inserted flush with the fireplace, curved models are also available.
Fireplace Village carries a wide variety of wood burning, gas and wood pellet fireplace inserts. Please visit us online or one of our New Hampshire locations.
No wood burning fireplace is complete without a good quality fireplace tool set. A traditional fireplace tool set includes 5 pieces, a broom, a shovel, tongs, a poker and a stand. There are many styles and variations of tool sets to fit any décor.
For smaller spaces, such as apartments and condos, multi-use tool sets are available. Many companies are now making kindling holders with attached tool sets. These provide a compact solution to a lack of storage space for logs.
While many fireplace tool sets do not come with a bellow, they are a must have for any wood burning fireplace. A bellow is a great way to breath new life into a hard to start, or dying fire.
Fireplace Village is the largest fireplace accessories dealer in New Hampshire and New England. Buy fireplace tools at one of our New Hampshire locations or shop fireplace and wood stove accessories online.
Protect your family, pets, home and yourself with safety gates for the fireplace, woodstove and grill. Child safety gates are a convenient way to separate pets and infants from fireplaces, wood stoves and grills. This is an especially important safety device as your baby becomes mobile.
A fireplace safety gate is a special type of baby gate which is designed to keep the child safe from accidentally knocking a head or other body part onto the fireplace. It is an outstanding baby gate for homes which don’t have mounting points straight across the fireplace.
Fireplace Village sells Kidco fireplace child safety gates. Purchase at one of our New Hampshire fireplace accessories stores or purchase fireplace and child safety products online.
January 27, 2010
When shopping for a pellet stove or pellet fireplace insert there are several things to consider. These things include; heating capacity, type of fuel, operation and maintenance, whether it is a top or bottom feed, appearance and style, automatic or manual control, quality, backup power, cost and company. It is important to do your research in order to find the pellet stove that meets your specific needs.
Heating Capacity
The most important part of a pellet stove to consider is its heating capacity. This is also known as its heat output range. The efficiency of the unit depends on the output range. A typical pellet stove has a range between several thousand to 40,000 or more BTUs. The greater the heat output range the better the efficiency of the model. You must look at how you intend to use the stove, the layout and size of your home, how your home is currently heated and insulated and what temperature you prefer during the day and at night. Take note of these details when shopping for a pellet stove.
Fuel
There are different types of fuel available for pellet stoves. Two options are, wood pellets and corn pellets. You must consider the cost and availability of the type of pellets. Another consideration is whether you would like to use standard or premium grade pellets. Different states have different prices for wood, corn and other types of pellets used in a pellet stove. Find out where you can purchase pellets locally and what it will cost.
Top or Bottom Feed
There are two options for feed style. The first is a top feed model. The top-fed model reduces the chances of fire going back into the hopper but the burn area is more likely to become clogged with ash. A bottom-fed model allows the ash to be pushed into a pan once the fuel is delivered. You will need to decide how you want your stove to be fed. Some models offer an option of a chute while others will need to be fed from behind or to the side of the burn box. There are pros and cons to both top-fed and bottom-fed models. Consider what may be best for your circumstances and shop accordingly.
Appearance and Style
There are many choices for the design and style of a pellet stove. They come in styles from modern to rustic and even olde-worlde. Different styles function differently and have different features. Another thing that you will need to consider is whether you are looking for a small fire or one that is “impressive” and pretty to look at. Some pellet stoves allow for simulated logs made from ceramic which help the flame to glow bigger and brighter while others are simply designed for a low, concentrated fire.
Automatic or Manual Control
You must ask yourself whether or not you would like the unit to run automatically or if you are planning on doing the tending of the fire yourself. There are pros and cons to both automatic and manually controlled units. Occasionally manually controlled models will need adjustments while automatic units can make the adjustments in rate of fuel feed and output themselves. There are other features such as automatic ignition and start-up to consider as well. Whether you would like a unit that is manual or automatic is a matter of personal preference and taste.
Quality
Quality is something that must be considered when shopping for a pellet stove. Do you want the bells and whistles or something simple? What it comes down to is getting what you paid for. Watch out for brands that are inferior or second rate that are made cheaply that will rust or burn out quickly. How well your pellet stove is maintained and cleaned will also determine how it will wear over time.
Back-Up Power
Your pellet stove will need electricity to run the motors so it is important to consider a “back-up plan” if there is a power outage. Some models come equip with a back-up battery that will kick in if the power goes out. Another option to consider is a gas-powered generator to back –up the power of your pellet stove.
Cost
How much are you planning to spend on your pellet stove unit? You could expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 to $3500.00 on a pellet stove. You will also need to consider the installation of your stove as well when planning the budget. The price for fuel will also be a factor to consider when calculating the cost. In some places installation can cost anywhere from $350 to $650 and depending on the type of pellets you are purchasing they can run anywhere between $5 and $10 for a standard bag.
Company
Do your research on different companies that sell pellet stoves. Ask about the total package price including the stove, installation, warranties and regular maintenance charges. Finding a company that is reputable will save you problems in the future.
Shopping for a pellet stove requires some time and effort. You must do your research to find the model that works for you. There are several things to consider when choosing the pellet stove unit that you will purchase for your home.
- Adding a wood stove to a house must be undertaken properly to ensure a safe installation. Fireplace Village always recommends using a certified wood stove installer or professional chimney sweep.
- Install a stove with adequate clearance from any combustible surfaces, including floors, walls or furniture.
- Any chimney must have adequate capacity, the correct height, proper location, proper clearance from combustibles and proper mechanical support to be safe.
- When an efficient airtight stove is selected and installed with a proper chimney, the efficiency and safety of the stove operation is largely dependent on the skill of the operator.
- The type of firewood can materially impact stove operation and efficiency.
- A wood stove requires regular maintenance: proper cleaning of the chimney to remove creosote deposits, regular inspection of the installation, and handling of ashes. Fireplace Village recommends annual maintenance of wood stoves and chimneys to ensure efficient and clean burning operation and to minimize risk of fire.
January 25, 2010
Free standing wood stoves are an efficient way to heat a specific area of a house. They are a great way to use renewable energy sources to supplement expensive gas or electric heat. They also provide an independent source of heat and light in the case of a power outage, and provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even some wood burning stove accessories, such as a blower, which circulates warm air around the room, do not use electricity and will keep the house warm during a power outage.
Wood stoves have come a long way in efficiency ratings. Many new wood stoves are EPA rated and produce 7.5 grams or less of smoke per hour. Many older wood stove models burn at a staggering 40 grams of smoke per hour.
Fireplace Village carries a wide variety of wood burning stoves. Looking to purchase an energy efficient clean burning wood stove then visit one of our New Hampshire locations or buy wood stoves online. Since 1972, Fireplace Village has been the largest retailer of wood stoves in New England. This is a great time to buy a new wood stove and take advantage of the federal tax credit.
January 20, 2010
Fireplace inserts are a fantastic way to increase the efficiency of your old masonry fireplace. Fireplace inserts are made up of a fire box which is surrounded by a steel shell, which sits inside of an existing fireplace. Air from the room then moves into the space between the steel shell and the firebox and is circulated around the room. Because this air cannot escape up the chimney it is one of the most efficient ways of heating a room.
When choosing a fireplace insert the first decision to make is which kind of fuel you are choosing to use. If natural gas is an option for your home there are many gas burning fireplace inserts available. There is a wide variety of gas log types and many come with realistic looking glowing embers, for the wood burning fireplace feel.
If looking to get away from wood burning, and natural gas is not an option, there are always pellet burning fireplace inserts which are a very efficient way of updating an old wood burning fireplace. Pellets are made from compressed saw dust from wood mills, burning recycled byproducts is a great idea instead of burning non-renewable fuel sources.
Most masonry wood burning fireplaces are extremely inefficient. By installing a wood burning fireplace insert you can update the look of an old fireplace. The space between an existing masonry fireplace and the fireplace insert is covered by a faceplate, which come in a variety of decors to fit any room.
Despite the fuel type there are other accessories which can be added onto a fireplace insert to make it more attractive or more efficient. Glass doors can be added as a way to enjoy the look of the fire without over heating the room. These need to be cleaned often, however, as they get covered in soot and can be very unattractive. A blower can also be added, which takes the heated air from the fireplace insert and disperses it around the room. These are extremely cost efficient and a great addition to any fireplace insert.
Once the fuel type is decided it is time to chose the model. There are many existing conditions that need to be taken into consideration. In order to determine the size and type of fireplace insert, it is important to measure the existing fireplace, and examine the damper opening. It is a good idea to have a chimney sweep come in to examine the fireplace and determine it safe to put in a fireplace insert. Many times the inside of the chimney needs to be relined.
To install the fireplace insert it is advised that a professional come in to complete the job. Fireplace inserts are not only extremely heavy, but also need to be installed perfectly to prevent risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning and damage to the existing fireplace.
Fireplace Village is the largest fireplace insert store in New Hampshire and New England. We carry a wide selection of wood burning, gas and pellet fireplace inserts. Fireplace Village installs fireplace inserts and chimney liners. Stop by one of our New Hampshire locations to view our burning fireplace insert displays or buy Napoleon fireplace inserts online.
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