Chimney sweep - covering Dorset for cleaning of chimneys, flues and fireplaces.
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Monday, 30 March 2009
Gas Fire Or Not To Gas Fire? That Is The Question
On a cold day, there's nothing better than warming yourself next to a glowing fireplace. While wood burning fireplaces are the traditional standard, gas fireplaces have increased in popularity in recent years. They have numerous benefits, including price and safety, but are not right for all homes. Here are a few reasons to purchase (or avoid) a gas burning fireplace.
Cost Effective
When compared to wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces are incredibly inexpensive. Traditionally, fireplaces required a lot of space and a frame of non-flammable materials, such as stone or brick. The most popular type of gas fireplace, the direct-vent, does not require the installation of a new chimney. Instead, these are installed by a Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professional. The only special considerations needed are the ability to run the vent and the availability of a gas line. Additionally, natural gas is typically less expensive than wood.
Easy to Use
Gas fireplaces are a dramatic improvement over wood burning fireplaces. Rather than needed to provide a steady stream of dry wood, gas models can be ignited via a switch or remote control. Unless there is no gas available, a well maintained gas fireplace will always light without needing to be stoked or primed. They don't require starter materials or starting logs.
Large Choice Of Styles
Direct-vent gas fireplaces can be placed against a wall like a traditional fireplace, directly into the wall or in the middle of a room. Anywhere a HVAC professional can run a vent and a gas line, a gas fireplace can be installed. Because of the availability of installation options, gas fireplaces are excellent for integration into an existing décor. If your redecorate, there are a wide variety of fireplace designs that can be implemented to update the installation. Many home improvement and decorating companies offer professionals that offer advice on how to remodel a fireplace, and can often refer you to a local contractor that specializes in the field.
Low Maintenance
Because they do not use wood, gas fireplaces do not need to be regularly cleaned. There are no ash or residual materials left in the fire box after use. While the vent should be checked annually to ensure there are no blockages, there is no need for a chimney sweep or other yearly cleanings to remove soot and debris.
No flames
One of the largest draw backs of gas fireplaces is the flame. When compared to a real burning log, the flame produced by a gas fireplace is not as full and realistic. They also do not provide the same scent, which many people feel is a benefit of wood burning fireplaces.
Gas Safe Registered Installers Only
Gas fireplaces as much more complicated that their wood burning cousins. They require annual checks on the starter, thermostat and vent to ensure safe and proper functionality. These maintenance checks can be less expensive than visits from a chimney sweep, but the increased complexity of gas fireplaces also allows for more technical failures and potential repair bills.
****SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER*******
www.castfireplaces.co.uk
Lytton BLACK or HIGHLIGHTED Gas Fireplaces Package with choice of Pine Bedford surround available in two sizes
48" Mantel with 48" Granite Hearth.
54" Mantel with 54" Granite Hearth.
Each package comes complete with
Lytton BLACK or HIGHLIGHTED Fireplace
Cast Iron Back
Class 1 and 2 Gas Insert
Pine Bedford Surround.
Granite Hearth Gas Use
Each package comes complete.
Optional Extras
ELECTRIC FIRE instead of Gas insert
TILED HEARTH instead of granite hearth
Only £555.00
Delivered to your door plus excellent customer service. Order your goods online and call us for installation or use the contact form.
All Rights Reserved. No copyright without permission.
Cost Effective
When compared to wood burning fireplaces, gas fireplaces are incredibly inexpensive. Traditionally, fireplaces required a lot of space and a frame of non-flammable materials, such as stone or brick. The most popular type of gas fireplace, the direct-vent, does not require the installation of a new chimney. Instead, these are installed by a Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professional. The only special considerations needed are the ability to run the vent and the availability of a gas line. Additionally, natural gas is typically less expensive than wood.
Easy to Use
Gas fireplaces are a dramatic improvement over wood burning fireplaces. Rather than needed to provide a steady stream of dry wood, gas models can be ignited via a switch or remote control. Unless there is no gas available, a well maintained gas fireplace will always light without needing to be stoked or primed. They don't require starter materials or starting logs.
Large Choice Of Styles
Direct-vent gas fireplaces can be placed against a wall like a traditional fireplace, directly into the wall or in the middle of a room. Anywhere a HVAC professional can run a vent and a gas line, a gas fireplace can be installed. Because of the availability of installation options, gas fireplaces are excellent for integration into an existing décor. If your redecorate, there are a wide variety of fireplace designs that can be implemented to update the installation. Many home improvement and decorating companies offer professionals that offer advice on how to remodel a fireplace, and can often refer you to a local contractor that specializes in the field.
Low Maintenance
Because they do not use wood, gas fireplaces do not need to be regularly cleaned. There are no ash or residual materials left in the fire box after use. While the vent should be checked annually to ensure there are no blockages, there is no need for a chimney sweep or other yearly cleanings to remove soot and debris.
No flames
One of the largest draw backs of gas fireplaces is the flame. When compared to a real burning log, the flame produced by a gas fireplace is not as full and realistic. They also do not provide the same scent, which many people feel is a benefit of wood burning fireplaces.
Gas Safe Registered Installers Only
Gas fireplaces as much more complicated that their wood burning cousins. They require annual checks on the starter, thermostat and vent to ensure safe and proper functionality. These maintenance checks can be less expensive than visits from a chimney sweep, but the increased complexity of gas fireplaces also allows for more technical failures and potential repair bills.
****SPECIAL ONLINE OFFER*******
www.castfireplaces.co.uk
48" Mantel with 48" Granite Hearth.
54" Mantel with 54" Granite Hearth.
Each package comes complete with
Lytton BLACK or HIGHLIGHTED Fireplace
Cast Iron Back
Class 1 and 2 Gas Insert
Pine Bedford Surround.
Granite Hearth Gas Use
Each package comes complete.
Optional Extras
ELECTRIC FIRE instead of Gas insert
TILED HEARTH instead of granite hearth
Only £555.00
Delivered to your door plus excellent customer service. Order your goods online and call us for installation or use the contact form.
All Rights Reserved. No copyright without permission.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Greener Fires With Soapstone Stoves
The way in which a Soapstone stove heats is by radiation. This means that the large surfaces of your room will absorb the heat produced by your stove, and will heat the air in the room as well. Heat that radiates from a soapstone stove can even pass through walls to heat nearby rooms as well as the room that houses the stove or soapstone fireplace.
Soapstone fireplaces and stoves also are environmentally friendly. If you have allergies, you know that indoor air quality is a huge factor in feeling well and not having a sniffly nose or runny eyes. A soapstone fireplace burns its fuel completely. This means that there is very little smoke produced, leaving your indoor air clean to breathe. It also means that very little ash or soot is produced, making cleaning of the soapstone fireplace very easy and not messy, as is the case with a traditional fireplace.
Another money-saving aspect of soapstone fireplaces is their heat absorption. The stove or fireplace will absorb heat from the fuel quickly, but then it releases that heat absorbed slowly over time. This means that you will gain a heat benefit from the stove or fireplace for many hours after the fuel has burned, with no need to refuel the fire.
With all of these attractive benefits, the icing on the case with a soapstone stove or fireplace is the beauty of the stone itself. Some of the most beautiful stone in the world originates in Brazil, and the stone features veining not unlike marble.
You can select different colors of stone to complement or contrast with your home's interior decor. Generally speaking, when this rock is oiled the base color of the stone becomes darker in color and the veining is often emphasized because of the contrast in shades. You might select a soapstone fireplace with a dark green base with emerald veining, or a light grey base stone that features darker charcoal-colored veining. These are just a few of the wealth of different stone looks available for your new stove or fireplace.
Where To BuySoapstone fireplaces and stoves also are environmentally friendly. If you have allergies, you know that indoor air quality is a huge factor in feeling well and not having a sniffly nose or runny eyes. A soapstone fireplace burns its fuel completely. This means that there is very little smoke produced, leaving your indoor air clean to breathe. It also means that very little ash or soot is produced, making cleaning of the soapstone fireplace very easy and not messy, as is the case with a traditional fireplace.
Another money-saving aspect of soapstone fireplaces is their heat absorption. The stove or fireplace will absorb heat from the fuel quickly, but then it releases that heat absorbed slowly over time. This means that you will gain a heat benefit from the stove or fireplace for many hours after the fuel has burned, with no need to refuel the fire.
With all of these attractive benefits, the icing on the case with a soapstone stove or fireplace is the beauty of the stone itself. Some of the most beautiful stone in the world originates in Brazil, and the stone features veining not unlike marble.
You can select different colors of stone to complement or contrast with your home's interior decor. Generally speaking, when this rock is oiled the base color of the stone becomes darker in color and the veining is often emphasized because of the contrast in shades. You might select a soapstone fireplace with a dark green base with emerald veining, or a light grey base stone that features darker charcoal-colored veining. These are just a few of the wealth of different stone looks available for your new stove or fireplace.
RAIS Geo 126 & 161
Robeys.co.uk
All Rights Reserved. No copyright without permission.
Monday, 16 March 2009
Shabby Chic Fireplaces 'Get The French Look!'
Shabby Chic Style
If you love the elegant style of French interiors or the more modern alternative of 'shabby chic' you can achieve all of this with a beautiful fireplace.
First of all you will need to work out some measurements of your fire opening and take these with you when you visit a showroom or look online. Take the time to look around reclamation yards and flea markets for those bargains and you might even find a real gem! These days many fireplace shops will sell fireplaces new that look old, in order to achieve this look.
Stone fireplaces are a timeless classic, something like the Maria Limestone works well and is really popular. Teamed with a wood burning stove or cast iron gas fire, the look is elegant as well as functional.
As the focus is on shabby chic here, the beauty is nothing really needs to match decor wise. You can choose from pastel colours for curtains and soft furnishings, use prints and mix old with new. As long as the look feels gentle and even a little retro, shabby chic can come to your home.
Where To Buy?
- Reclamation yards
- Flea Markets
- Car Boot Sales
- eBay
- FDC Salisbury
- By The Fire, Westbourne
- Ferndown Fireplaces
- Cast Fireplaces.co.uk
Also, I often have fireplaces for sales that have been removed from people's houses. I only re-sell those that are in good condition and all gas fires are tested before hand. I put most of these for sale on ebay at ID: fireplacesnthings. Go online or contact me for more information.
where to buy
You can view your ideal fireplace at one of the many fireplace showrooms in your area. In Dorset there is:
- FDC Salisbury
- By The Fire, Westbourne
- Ferndown Fireplaces, Ferndown
- Ace Reclamation, Ferndown
The internet is full of ideal purchases see:
www.castfireplaces.co.uk
Of course eBay is an ideal choice for second hand fireplaces and accessories.
If you are unsure what you can have in your home, please contact us for information.
Services
Fire & Fireplace Installation
- Removal of old fireplaces
- Preparation of new fire & fireplace openings
- Run gas pipes
- Adapt and make good brickwork and plastering
- Electric fire installation
- Solid fuel fires & stoves installation
- Fireplace installation
- Gas Fire Installation
We have over 20 years experience and our expert service is guaranteed. We are Corgi registered and are happy to answer any questions.
Chimney Services
- Flue Liners
- Chimney Cleaning
- Cowls fitted
- Smoke tests
- Re-pointing
Also see Sooty the Sweep for chimney cleaning services.
All Rights Reserved. No copyright without permission.
Testimonials
Mrs Titherwell, Poole
" I absolutely love my fireplace and I am so glad I had it installed before the cold weather set in, it was a treat at Christmas and we use it all the time. Thank you."
All Rights Reserved. No copyright without permission.
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