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Health & Fitness

Fireplace Options for the Perfect Fit

When it comes to rainy days or the cold winter months, there’s nothing like a beautiful fireplace to make you feel warm; however, if you’re looking remodel or add a hearth to your home, it’s important to understand what types of options are available.

1.) WOOD-BURNING:  While wood-burning fireplaces remain the always-popular classic, they entail a bit of upkeep.  For starters, they obviously rely upon real wood, which means you’ll either have to chop it yourself or purchase it for later use.  From there, you’ll want to stay on top of certain maintenance tasks such as checking the chimney, removing soot or grease, and having a chimney cap installed to keep critters such as squirrels and birds from moving in.  On the plus side, however, there’s truly nothing like the sizzle and pop of a genuine wood fire.  While other models try to replicate all of the wonderful ways a wood-burning fireplace engages your senses, it’s no surprise that they simply fall short.

2.) GAS:  On the plus side, these fireplaces can easily be lit with the push of a button or the flip of a switch; however, since they utilize power sources, they tend to drive up your gas and electric bills.  Still, there are actually three types of gas fireplaces: direct vented (usually vented through a wall or roof), top vented (through the chimney or a vent), and ventless (expels exhaust into your home).

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3.) ELECTRIC:  Ranking high for ease of use, these fireplaces can be plugged in anywhere.  Since they fail to produce a flame and therefore don’t require any sort of venting, they can be easily installed anywhere.  While convenient, their downfall actually lies in the fact that, along with not appearing overly real, they also tend to put a bit of strain on your electric bill.

4.) PELLETS:  Along with being eco friendly, corn pellets are actually strong enough to heat the entire house.  With increasing popularity in many newer homes, the pellets are actually made from compressed wood that produces fewer odors than traditional fireplaces, as well as almost no smoke.

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5.) ETHANOL:  At the moment, ethanol is considered by some to be the gas of the future.  Made from plants—mostly corn—it is tasteless and colorless, and fails to release any sort of carbon dioxide or other chemicals into the air.  These fireplaces don’t require venting and they remain a wonderful choice for those who are interested in the state of the environment, as well as their own health.

Mirko Attolini | Cres Builder Corp. | www.cresbuilders.com | 770983-4698

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