Wood Burning Fireplace or Wood Stove vs. Contemporary Fireplace
Options
A Traditional Wood Burning Fireplace: Many Considerations
Nothing can compare to the old world charm of a wood burning fireplace
or wood stove. There is just something about coming in from a raging
winter storm and settling in by a fireplace hearth or wood burning
stove that provides a feeling of warmth, comfort, and peacefulness.
However, acquiring a traditional wood burning fireplace poses a
rather complex set of considerations which must be met. Owning and
operating a safe, viable hearth or wood stove requires the following:
- A safe firebox – fireplace construction
must be done by a bricklayer or stone mason certified to meet
local fire code regulations. Wood stove installation must meet
the local codes with firebox firewall elements on the wall behind,
and on the floor beneath the stove; such as a brick or stone foundation.
- A safe fireplace chimney or chimney pipe –
for a fireplace hearth, the chimney extends beyond the firebox
as part of the whole fireplace unit. Fireplace and chimney construction,
as well as chimney repair, should done by a certified fireplace
builder. For a wood stove chimney pipe, local codes must be met;
chimney pipe must meet minimum fire standard specifications, and
include extra firewall pipe and fire insulation at penetration
points of walls and ceilings.
- Waterproof chimney flashing – one of
the most common causes of roof leaks. Whether installing new or
replacing chimney flashing for a traditional fireplace chimney
or wood stove chimney pipe, the best option is to have an experienced
professional do the work. Note: many contractors offer some kind
of warranty for their work.
- Regular maintenance – to keep a fireplace
chimney or a wood stove chimney operating safely, regular annual
inspection and cleaning should be provided by a certified chimney
service contractor or chimney sweep. This insures that dangerous
creosote buildup and a chimney fire does not occur, or that any
damage, break down, or potential fire hazard of the firewall or
chimney go undetected.
- The continual need for wood fuel– this
entails either purchasing firewood, or cutting and hauling your
own. This can demand considerable effort, expense, and time involvement;
including gathering, hauling, splitting, and stacking logs. And
don’t forget carrying it inside from the woodpile. In addition,
splitting and stockpiling wood adds another task – cleaning
up the mess.
Another consideration for brick or masonry fireplace construction
is the fact that a wood burning fireplace lets a huge amount of
heat escape up the chimney; providing much less radiant room heat
than a wood stove. Up to 90% of all heat generated by a fireplace
goes right up the chimney!
Technology Brings Many Alternative Options
Many homeowners with existing fireplaces desiring the enhanced
energy efficiency offered by a wood burning stove install a wood
stove insert, customized to fit right into the firebox of the fireplace.
No additional chimney pipe is necessary; it utilizes the existing
chimney.
The most desirable type of wood burning fireplace insert is airtight
(a standard feature of most contemporary wood stoves) and offers
electric fan-forced air to circulate heat generated in baffles around
the firebox into the room.
For homeowners not willing to wade through the hassle and regulations
that accompany wood stove installation or masonry fireplace construction,
as well as the wood fuel issue, there are other increasingly vogue
alternatives.
Gas Fireplace
The option of installing a gas burning log into a fireplace has
been available for many years; a gas burning appliance (disguised
as a wood log) provides a combustion site for the gas, and the fumes
are still vented up the chimney. Unfortunately, this concept suffers
the same heat loss ratio as a wood burning fireplace.
In more recent years, technology has provided a vent free version
of this concept, no chimney required. While this eliminates the
need for a chimney, as well as the staggering loss of heat, there
are disadvantages.
A vent free gas fireplace requires a special burner which cannot
be made to look like burning logs. The burner is specially designed
to efficiently burn the gas, leaving only a small residual amount
of carbon monoxide. If carbon monoxide begins to accumulate to harmful
levels in a room, the burner automatically shuts off.
Secondly, burning natural gas as a fuel creates extra moisture.
In vented fireplaces, the moisture travels up and out of the chimney
with other fumes. In ventless gas fireplaces, the moisture goes
into the room, presenting a possible problem with excess moisture.
Electric Fireplace
Another alternative is an electric fireplace insert. When the
electric fireplace was first introduced, it was for visual effect;
providing no real heat to the room. Today huge assortments of electric
fireplace inserts are available, with countless sizes and styles
to choose from.
Options range from a complete electric fireplace, an electric fireplace
insert, or even an electric fireplace log to place in a traditional
fireplace. As well as providing aesthetic appeal, most contemporary
electric fireplace models offer up to 10,000 BTUs of clean, efficient
heat for a room.
Ventless Gel Fuel Fireplace
The last alternative option is the ventless gel fuel fireplace.
Because of the low cost and use of real flame in these type fireplaces,
they are becoming extremely vogue and are in high demand.
Gel fuel fireplaces are available in countless styles and designs;
they use non-toxic isopropyl alcohol gel as a fuel. No vent or chimney
is required; no carbon monoxide is produced. This type fireplace
produces both heat and an aesthetically appealing environment. Cost
starts at about $300 and up.
One disadvantage is that the gel fuel burns quickly; it is relatively
high priced, at $80 to $90 for 24 cans.
Locating a Fireplace Contractor
Homeowners opting to build a traditional wood burning fireplace
or install a wood stove can find qualified local professionals with
the click of a button at HandyCanadian.com
Whether requiring the services of a fireplace chimney contractor,
chimney sweeper, or any other type service provider, homeowners
can sign up without any cost or obligation whatsoever. And post
their fireplace project online where it is immediately visible to
local contractor members 24/7; contractors also receive e-mail notification
of new project listings.
Local contractors connect with project owners, providing competitive
bids in days, even just hours from project posting.
Homeowners can view contractor profile pages, references, customer
comments and feedback, licensing/insurance/certification credentials,
and photos of recently completed projects online at HandyCanadian.com,
to help make an informed hiring decision; or none at all.
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