When you think about your home's climate control system, don't forget the fireplace. This staple of the American living room or den has brought a sense of cheer, romance, and of course warmth to countless occupants. If you plan to redecorate or renovate your living area, think about giving your fireplace a more active role in the overall look and feel of the place. Here are four points to consider along the way.
1. Type of Fuel
The first question you must answer for yourself before running out and buying a fireplace is what kind of fuel you intend to burn. For many, this decision will be dictated by the home's current architecture, since you will need a fireplace for any kind of fuel that produces smoke. The following factors may also apply:
2. Efficiency
If you want to ensure your fireplace actually heats your home efficiently instead of just looking pretty, you'll need to have sufficient control over its placement and operation.
3. Style
Your fireplace will most likely occupy a central point in the living room, so it must complement your current or planned decor. For example, a traditional brick or stone fireplace would look perfectly at home in a rustic living room filled with antique furniture, while a sparse slate or metal fireplace would look better in a modern setting of clean lines and stark color contrasts. But this does not mean that you need to scrap your current fireplace -- simply redecorate it instead. Try the following ideas:
4. Location
Believe it or not, these days you can install a fireplace in just about any room that has a space sufficient to contain one. Modern free-standing or insertable electric units can easily fit into a nook or open area in your bedroom, bathroom or study, providing both genuine heat and a warm, comforting ambience. A glass cube fireplace combines the old-style romance of flickering firelight with sleek, minimal design, turning even the most utilitarian room into a topic of conversation.
A beautiful, heat-giving fireplace can enhance any living environment. Whether you're building a new home or refitting an old one, ask your local contractors and designers to find the perfect style and type of fireplace for your needs and tastes.
Share5 August 2014
Have you ever stopped to think about the general health of your air conditioner? Although it might seem like a silly thing to worry about, air conditioners need a little tender loving care just like any other home appliance. Unfortunately, it can be hard to detect issues until your system sputters to a halt one day. My blog is all about improving your HVAC experience by learning how to keep it on point. On my blog, you will learn how to check for air conditioning problems, troubleshoot your system, and even find the perfect replacement--should you need to upgrade your system.