Why Should I Consider a Direct Vent Gas Fireplace?

You’re moving into a new home, and you’ve decided that you want to invest in a nice, warm fireplace for your family to enjoy during the winter months. There are so many types out there, though. Which one do you choose to install in your house? Would you go with a traditional wood burning fireplace, or are you going to consider a more economical, easy to care for gas fireplace? In this article, we’re going to take a quick look at some of the main reasons that you may want to consider what is called a direct vent gas fireplace. 

What is a Direct Vent Gas Fireplace? 

A direct vent gas fireplace gets the air from the outside. It pulls it inside through a vent, and that air makes the spark which gets the fire going rather quickly. This is in contrast with an indoor vent gas fireplace, which just uses the air from inside your house to get the flame started.

Advantages of a Direct Vent Gas Fireplace

Here are some positives that come up in conversations about direct vent gas fireplaces when comparing them to other types of gas fireplaces that are out there. 

-          You aren’t losing a lot of heat when you use a direct vent. With other types of gas fireplaces, you use a chimney and a flue, both of which make the air in your home go out and up. This basically sucks the heat out of your fireplace. Direct vent systems don’t do that.

-          Direct vent fireplaces can actually prevent a lot of accidents from happening. With other types of open fireplaces, the fire can end up getting a backdraft because of air pulling back (because of fans and other things), which can cause a fire accidentally. Direct vents have less openings like that, so it’s less likely.

-          Direct vent fireplaces are actually incredibly efficient for reasons other than the heat, which we mentioned above. Since they are a type of gas fireplace, they actually distribute the heat a lot better than say, wood, or another type of fuel. Propane and natural gas burn more evenly and, because of the way these fireplaces are set up, you will find that your house stays warmer too. 

-          The installation isn’t as difficult, either. Because you don’t need a flue (the gases are not as hot, so you can put pipes through walls instead), you don’t need to redesign your whole home around putting in one of these fireplaces. They can be put pretty much anywhere that you want them to go, and they won’t cause you to have to tear the whole house apart to make sure that everything is done correctly. 

It’s not the answer for everyone, but it’s definitely an option to consider if you’re looking at purchasing some sort of gas fireplace for your home. There are definitely advantages to it, and because of that, you can feel comfortable getting one to warm up your home during those cold nights. If you aren’t sure about your options, contact someone who can give you information about them – they’ll help you figure out the best setup for your needs and the space that you have. 

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A Simple Guide to Brick Fireplace Restoration

Restoring furniture, fixtures, or any other part of your home can be a fun and affordable way to add to the longevity of these items. With a brick fireplace, though, you may think you’re out of options. They tend to be fairly simple in their construction, but not exactly open to restoration the same way a table, chair or even light fixture is. Fortunately, brick fireplace restoration is definitely possible and just as easy as other options. Here’s a guide to some simple methods you should try.

Consider a Coat of Paint

Perhaps the easiest form of fireplace restoration is simply adding a coat or two of paint to it. For a brick fireplace, make sure you start with a primer and you’ll most likely need a latex paint for it. However, with these two affordable materials, you can:

•             Paint the fireplace a different color

•             Weather it for an older look

•             Dry brush it for an especially rustic appearance

These options will restore your fireplace by giving it a brand new and fashionable appearance.

Remove Build Up

It doesn’t take a scientist to understand that a fireplace faces a lot of wear and tear. Between the soot and smoke that may escape at times and the intense temperatures, fireplace restoration may not mean more than just giving it a good bath. 

Should your elbow get sore without any results to show for it, consider moving on to using a vinegar solution. All it takes is a mix of half vinegar and half water. Use a spray bottle to apply it to the brick and then let it sit there for a few minutes. This will allow the acid in the vinegar to work its magic. When the time is up, use your scrub brush or sponge to clean the area.

Straight vinegar will work in extreme cases, but many people find the smell to be a bit much to deal with when the cleaning is through.

Of course, you can also find cleaners specifically made for brick and grout at any home improvement store. Obviously, these solutions will cost a bit more than the DIY one above or dish soap, but especially stubborn issues may call for it.

Consider the Mantel

Whether or not your Evanston fireplace restoration plans involve cleaning or painting the brick (or both), you should consider what to do with the surrounding area too. For example, most fireplaces look great with a mantel (this isn’t always the best idea for a modern look). You can choose from all kinds of materials and installation typically takes little more than a drill.

If you already have a mantel, it might just need a little TLC too. Taking a page out of the advice above, clean it up or paint it and the fireplace may benefit too.

Give It a New Job

A lot of homes with fireplaces aren’t actually homes to people who use them. If that’s the case with you, fireplace restoration may take on a completely different life. Your fireplace doesn’t actually need to be used for fires. It’s your home, after all; use it for something else! There are a number of fun ideas to consider.

Many people use fireplaces to display flowers. Pick ones that come in red, orange and yellow and the finished product will even resemble the flames that used to call your hearth home.

Putting candles in your fireplace is also a fun way to put a new twist on it. You can still light them, of course, but they’ll look plenty cool all on their own as well.

If your room has a classic look to it, an antique summer cover can also be a really cool way to make use of that space. You can save money, too, by purchasing a modern version made to look old.

Fireplace restoration doesn’t need to cost a lot or be a ton of work. The above fireplace restoration options will all give yours new life that could change the look of the entire room.

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