Fireplace Lowdown

Textured Glass Fireplace Surround Is Definitely Unique

Updating your fireplace surround can be a great way to change the whole look and feel of a room.  It can take the space from dated and blah to modern and wow.

But what material should you choose for your fireplace surround?  Marble?  Slate?  Brick?  Tile?  Glass?

Speaking of glass, we've looked at a couple of surrounds made from glass tiles and the like but nothing quite like this textured glass fireplace from CBD Glass. 

If you're looking for some unique and interesting ways to incorporate glass into your home, whether with the fireplace, in the kitchen or even as furniture, definitely check out the portfolio section of their site for some cool ideas.

Wood Fireplace Insert Pros & Cons

The wood fireplace is at the cornerstone of fireplace history, and many of the inserts out there are handsome and relatively easy to install.  Today, though, there are lots of alternative options, many of which are more convenient to maintain and use.  Examples include gas and electric fireplace inserts as well as pellet or corn stoves.  Is a wood fireplace insert right for you?  Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons:

Wood fireplace insert advantages

• They give you the smells, sounds, and ambiance of a real fire (something you won't get with gas or electric)
• They burn a fairly inexpensive and renewable fuel.
• Though traditional wood fireplaces have been inefficient with much of the heat going up the chimney, today's wood inserts are much better at retaining heat and produce up to 90% fewer emissions than old-fashioned fireplaces.

Wood fireplace insert disadvantages

• Wood is still less efficient than other fuel types.
• You'll have to haul wood and clean up ashes (something not required with gas or electric).
• You'll have to spend time or money maintaining your chimney (the EPA advises you have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned every year).

All in all, whether a wood fireplace insert is right for your family just depends on what matters most to you.  You may be willing to trade the inconvenience of hauling wood and cleaning and maintaining your fireplace for the feeling of sitting before a real crackling fire.

As far as costs go, you'll pay anywhere from $3,000-$5,000 for a good wood fireplace insert (installation included), and of course high-end models can cost more.

Build a Mini Firepit to Roast S'mores at Home

If you've always wanted to make S'mores at home (or just roast a marshmallow for that yummy fresh-from-the-campfire taste), then here's a "fire pit" you're sure to dig.

This homemade mini firepit isn't much bigger than a marshmallow itself, but it should do a bit of a better job than attempting to use a candle.

The mini firepit isn't a product that you can buy but something you'll have to build yourself, so get your tools ready.  Fortunately, all you'll need is some wood, bolts, nuts, and a drill and a saw.  Even I could handle a project like that!

Step-by-step directions are available from Curbly.

Ventless Gas Fireplace Pros & Cons

A ventless gas fireplace is a fireplace option you have if you'd like to enjoy the heat and warmth of flickering flames but your home doesn't currently have a chimney and you don't want the cost of installing one.  Even if you have a chimney, you may like the idea of a fireplace in the bathroom, midway up a wall, or tucked into a corner, places that are traditionally not accessible via chimney.  The cool thing about ventless gas fireplaces is they can be installed just about anywhere.

To help you decide if one is for you, let's take a look at some of the pros and cons as well as the price:

Ventless Gas Fireplace Advantages

• Since they don't require venting to the outside of the house, they are easier (and less expensive) to install than regular gas units or traditional wood fireplaces.
• Today's models are very fuel efficient, with 92%-99% of potential heat converted into usable heat.
• Ventless units are designed to produce a hot flame, which results in almost full fuel combustion, a benefit that reduces the amount of carbon monoxide emissions and soot produced.
• Ventless gas fireplaces are considered safe for homeowners because they include an oxygen-depletion sensor that turns gas off before carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels in the room.

Disadvantages of Ventless Gas Fireplaces

• A big downer is that in some states, ventless units are banned because they don't meet all building codes.
• There are debates on the effects on indoor air quality.  While manufacturers say their units meet or exceed all indoor air-quality guidelines, some people worry about fumes vented into the home as opposed to outside.
• Water vapor from the fire is vented into the home, which may cause condensation on windows, or in the long-term mold/mildew issues.

Cost of a Ventless Gas Fireplace

While costs, of course, vary a lot from model to model, the general range is $800-$2,000 installed (gas-line work not included in estimate).

Outdoor Table Converts to a Fire Pit

With spring here, you may be shopping for new outdoor living products, such as furniture and fire pits.  If you're space crunched, or just like to be efficient with dual purpose pieces, then you may dig a fire pit that turns into a table and vice versa.

The Fina LP Florence Firepit has a sliding granite top cover that lets you use the unit as a table when you're not in the mood for flickering flames.  There's no messy wood or ashes involved with the fire itself, since the fire pit runs on a 20-pound liquid propane tank.

The fire pit comes with lava rock, which you can artistically arrange on top to give the fire a realistic look.  A steel frame with faux rock surface hides all the internal plumbing and wiring from view.

Available for $550 from Amazon:

Fina LP Florence Firepit

Pellet Stoves Are Saving People Money

With oil and gas prices climbing higher and higher, heating the home seems to be getting more expensive by the month.  The prices of these commodities aren't expected to drop any time soon either. 

Because of this, it shouldn't be any surprise that pellet stoves are more popular than ever.  Sales are increasing each year, and you may be wondering if it's time for you to consider pellets as a home heating method too!

Installing a pellet stove doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up the convenience of gas either.  It can be an alternative when prices or high or you just want to enjoy the warmth of a cozy fire (attractive pellet stoves can be a focal point of your home, and it's a lot nicer to sit and read by one than a heat vent!).

If you're thinking of making the switch, or want to figure out how much money people are saving by switching to pellet stoves (or even corn burning stoves), here are some recent news articles you may find interesting:

Home Heating Costs Fuel Interest in Pellet-burning Stoves

Pellet Stove is a Hot Addition to Your Home

Considering a Pellet Stove? Do Your Homework First

Adding Alternative Fuel to the Fire

Wood Pellets & Oil Compete for Heating