Choosing the Right Outdoor Fireplace

If you’ve been looking to invest in a Chicago outdoor fireplace, then there are a number of things that you are likely thinking about. These are great little items for you to choose for your own yard, so you want to make sure that you pick the right one. Wondering about some tips that you can use in order to make sure that you get the right outdoor fireplace for your needs? Take a look at these questions and be certain to ask them when you’re trying to pick one of these great little investments.

What sort of design do you want to get for your fireplace?

This is the first thing that you’re going to have to think about when it comes to choosing the right outdoor fireplace for your needs. What sort of design are you going to want to get for it, and how is that going to affect exactly what you’re going to do when you purchase your fireplace? Are you looking for something that is going to come off as really simple, or are you looking for something that stands out and is a little more elaborate? What sort of chimney do you want on it? Your design is a huge part of your outdoor fireplace, so make sure that you give that a lot of consideration before you decide.

What sort of fuel are you looking to use with your outdoor fireplace?

There are a ton of different types of outdoor fireplaces out there, and there are almost as many types of fuel that you can use in them. Are you looking for an old style, traditional wood fireplace that you can use and smell the wonderful scent of wood burning? Or are you looking for something a little more efficient, like a natural gas fireplace? You don’t have to be limited to just a few different choices – you have a lot that you can work with and you can feel comfortable with whatever decision that you end up making in the long run. Talk to your installation specialist to see what they suggest for your area and your usage purposes.

Where do you plan on putting it?

This is another thing that you’re absolutely going to have to figure out, even before you look for the design. You don’t want to get one that is too big for the area that you’re putting it in, or that is so small that it’s going to look awkward. Get a size range that you’re comfortable with deciding on and measure it out so that you know exactly what you plan on dealing with when you’re taking care of the issue at hand. On top of that, this can help you with landscaping and designing the rest of your yard as well. Your outdoor fireplace is going to be a centerpiece of your yard, so you want to make sure that you put everything else that you’re using around it.

Are there any restrictions that you’re going to have to worry about?

Some counties, townships, and other municipalities may have some restrictions when it comes to outdoor fireplaces. Because of that, you want to make sure that you know what you’re getting into before you even decide on what exactly you’re going to want to use. Look around at all of the different laws that are in place, ask questions of the appropriate parties, and make sure that you have a firm understanding of whatever it is that you’re going to be dealing with. Your Chicago outdoor fireplace installation specialist is going to be able to give you a good idea of these things as well, so make sure that you talk to them about it; they should know as long as you’re able to tell them your location.

These are just the beginning. If you want to make sure that you’ve got exactly what you need when it comes to an outdoor fireplace, then give our Chicago outdoor fireplace installation specialists a call today. We can give you all of the information that you’re looking for about outdoor fireplaces and help you to decide on which one is going to best fit your needs and your purposes.


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The Benefits of Having an Outdoor Patio Kitchen

One of the most popular trends that is going on nowadays is the outdoor patio kitchen. These kitchens give you the best of both worlds in a number of ways. Not only do you get to enjoy the great outdoors in a unique way, you get to cook (read: barbeque or grill) your food outside. Did you know that there are a ton of benefits to having an outdoor kitchen? Here are just a few of the main ones that come up in conversations about the topic.

It helps to reduce the mess that’s in your indoor kitchen.

Your kitchen is a mess after you finish a cookout, isn’t it? There are so many different things that you have to get done, and if you’re running in and out, you’re tracking dirt and mud all over your floors. If you have an outdoor kitchen, you don’t have to worry about that at all anymore. Instead, you can make sure that you have everything that you need available right in front of you and you only need to run inside once in a blue moon. That makes the cleanup a lot easier after the cookout is over.

It makes cookouts a lot more social and fun.

Don’t you hate when you have to cook and then be away from everyone that you’re having the party with? By having an outdoor kitchen that is ready to use, you don’t have to do that anymore. While you’re standing at the grill or the sink, you can chat it up with the friends and family that you have over for your cookout. You don’t have to excuse yourself and miss out on all of the fun – you get to be right in the middle of it as you’re cooking and hosting.

It gives you a lot of variety in choosing what tools you have available.

Your “outdoor kitchen” is no longer limited to just a grill anymore. There are so many different types of cooking devices and other kitchen gadgets that are available for you to utilize that it’s incredible. You can get an outdoor fridge, an outdoor stove top, and a wide variety of other things that make it that much easier for you to get all of your cooking done outdoors. You don’t have to feel like you’re stuck with only a couple of tools; take a look at what’s out there and put together your dream outdoor kitchen!

So, instead of just settling for a scenario when you run in and out of your kitchen multiple times, your life is going to be a lot easier when you embrace and install an outdoor patio kitchen. If you’re interested in making an outdoor patio kitchens a reality, then you will want to give us a call today. We can help you to get started and help you decide about which product(s) you want to include as part of your overhaul.

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Things to Know About Outdoor Fireplace Installation

So, you’ve decided that you’re going to go ahead and get an outdoor fireplace installation done. That’s an amazing idea – there are lots of different benefits that come with having an outdoor fireplace, and they can make for a great place to enjoy summer fun. What do you need to know about outdoor fireplace installation before you even get started with it, and what can you do to make sure that you’ve got everything together? Here are some things that you should know about outdoor fireplace installation. 
Make sure that the area that you’re putting it in is cleared out of debris and junk.

When the installation specialists come in to take care of installation, you want to make sure that they can do it as quickly and efficiently as possible. So, before they even arrive, take the time to ensure that the entire area is cleaned out. Rake any leaves, pull any weeds, and get any furniture or other objects out of the way ahead of time. That way they can come in, move around whatever they may need to at the last minute, and then install your new fireplace in no time. Who wouldn’t want to be using their outdoor fireplace the same exact day?
 
Plan out an area that is private, but is spacious enough to use fire in safely.

When you’re looking for the area you’re going to use for your outdoor fireplace you want to find somewhere that is nice and private. You don’t want everyone looking at you and your company when you’re trying to enjoy what the outdoors has to offer. On top of that, you also want to make sure that it’s far away from fences, trees, and other objects so that you don’t have to worry about anything catching on fire unintentionally while you’re using your fireplace. Finding that balance is vital for the full enjoyment of your outdoor fireplace.

Don’t limit the area to your fireplace – put together a whole patio area that you can enjoy!

A lot of people will just install an outdoor fireplace and call it done. You can actually set up a whole outdoor oasis as part of your Chicago gas fireplace insert. Put furniture around it, add a patio area, and get creative with the space you have. The more you embrace the space and use it to the fullest of your ability, the more that you’re going to be able to enjoy whatever it is that your outdoor fireplace can do for you. On top of that, you’ll have somewhere warm to snuggle when you and your loved ones are outdoors enjoying the space.

By keeping these things in mind, you’re going to get a lot out of your Chicago chimney repair. With that, you’re also going to have a beautiful addition to your yard that you will be able to enjoy for years to come. Contact us today about getting an outdoor fireplace installed in your yard.




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Should I Get My Fireplace Remodeled?

If you’ve been looking at remodeling your home, you’ve likely been thinking about what parts need to get fixed and what ones don’t. You may be thinking about fireplace remodeling, but instead, you are considering whether or not it would be a good decision for you and your family. Here are some of the things that you’re going to want to consider when it comes to fireplace remodeling and whether it is the right choice for you.

Are you thinking about changing the type of fireplace that you have ?

If you have a fireplace that only burns wood, it may not be optimal for what you want to do with it. You may be thinking about converting it so that you can use gas or coal instead. There are all sorts of options for you out there, and because of that, you may be able to convert it without a lot of cost to you and your family. Look at the options available and see if you could save money during those cold winter months by changing how your fireplace works. You can do this sort of changeover as part of your overall remodeling job if you wish to do so.

Do you still want to keep your fireplace ?

This is a question that you really want to think about, mainly because it will give you a lot of answers about whether or not you should bother remodeling. If you aren’t really using it or you think that you may end up replacing or getting rid of it eventually, then now may be the perfect time to do so. Fireplaces can be a good source of heat, if you’re using them. Otherwise, they could cause drafts and other hazards, so it’s good to just get rid of it if you aren’t going to use it.

What are you going to use your fireplace for ?

This is a good question as well. Are you going to use it as something decorative, is it something that you’re going to use for excess heat, or is it something that you’ll just curl up next to once in awhile? If it’s already doing what you want it to do, then you may not have to get it remodeled at all. You may still if it’s not working the way that you want it to, or if you want to change the aesthetic of the room that you’re using it in, but in general, you may not have to think about it at all.

All of these are important things to look at and think about when you’re dealing with fireplace remodeling. If you aren’t sure about whether or not this is the right choice for you, make sure that you give us a call as soon as possible. We can give you a consultation and help you to decide whether or not you want to go ahead with a complete remodel of your current fireplace setup or if you just want to make repairs.



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Must Haves for an Outdoor Kitchen

A yard is a great thing, isn’t it? There’s so much room for you to enjoy. If you have a patio or a deck, you may be considering putting together an outdoor kitchen that you can use during the summer months. You’re going to need a grill and all the accessories that go with it. Here are a few suggestions about the most important must haves that you need for any outdoor kitchen.

Places to Prepare Your Favorite Meals

If you’re going to be putting together an outdoor fireplace, perhaps the most important is where you’re going to prepare all the food. Some people will prepare their food inside and take it to the grill when they’re ready to cook it. By having counter space that you can use outside, you can do all of your preparation right there, turn around, and pop it on your grill. The simplicity makes it easy, and you get to stay outside and chat with any guests you have instead of being stuck inside prepping the food.
Bar Area + Fridge

The best part of having an outdoor kitchen is having a good time, and to have a good time, you want to be able to get all of your drinks and everything else that you enjoy while you’re out there. So, make sure that you put together a bar as well. Have a fridge in a good spot to keep things cool, as well, including condiments and whatever else you may need in order to throw the best party.

Seating Area with Fire Pit or Fireplace

What’s an outdoor kitchen without somewhere for your guests to kick back and relax? While you’re busy showing off your amazing grilling skills, your buddies can sit around the fire pit, tell stories, and enjoy everything that your outdoor kitchen has to offer them. Don’t skimp on this part – there are so many different things that you can get for your seating arrangements, so get creative with it. Get comfortable patio chairs, get a couple of tables, and have a good time designing it Chicago gas fireplace insert. If you aren’t sure what you want to do with the area yourself, ask your buddies for ideas or use them as resources. You can also do some research on the internet to see what other people have done.

There are a lot of other “must haves” when it comes to putting together your outdoor kitchen, including accessories for your grill, a fun apron, and more. But when you’re putting together a place to do your cooking, you need to have all of the things that we’ve talked about here at Chicago chimney repair. That way, you’ll be ready to flip those burgers in almost no time.


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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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Advantages of Having an Outdoor Fireplace cc

Outdoor fireplaces have become a lot more popular in recent years, especially in rural areas, where there’s lot of space in the yard to be enjoyed. If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not you want to get a Chicago outdoor fireplace, here are some the advantages that you’ll find when you set one of these beauties up in your back yard.

It’s a Great Place to Be Social
Sure, you can always sit around in your living room and chat, everyone has a living room. But, not everyone has a  Chicago outdoor fireplace  in their backyard! Outdoor fireplaces are unique, because they make you feel like you’re inside your home while, at the same time offering you the unique experience of enjoying that under the stars. Enjoy some drinks, play some games, or just sit and chat around the fireplace.

It Lets you Enjoy the Outdoors, Even If There’s a Chill
The outdoors is a great place to be, no matter where you live. There is so much beauty to be enjoyed, especially during the evening hours. But, during the spring and fall, it can get pretty chilly in the evening. A lot of people will just give up and escape to be inside, but with a Chicago outdoor fireplace, you don’t have to do that. You can go outside, get a fire setup in your handy Chicago chimney cleaning, curl up on one of your pieces of patio furniture and enjoy nature as it was meant to be enjoyed – in comfort. You essentially get the best of both worlds, and you don’t have to worry about getting too cold when the sun starts to set (or even when it’s completely gone)!

It’s an Attractive Yard Decoration
Some people forget about the aesthetics related to outdoor fireplaces. If you do it right, you can have a very nice looking yard decoration as well. There are so many choices out there when it comes to outdoor fireplaces, and many of them are made from beautiful stones and bricks, in a variety of colors. If you take the time to choose an attractive piece, while at the same time working to ensure that your seating arrangement is also well organized, you will find that you’re the envy of all of your neighbors that don’t have such cool backyards.

Convinced yet? If you are, then why don’t you get going and get that outdoor fireplace set up for spring, summer, and fall fun? There are plenty of places you can go to in order to get a nice Chicago outdoor fireplace, so don’t hesitate – consider it now and have the best summer ever!

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Are There Still Chimney Sweeps?

Many of us think of chimney sweeps and our minds go back to Mary Poppins, where the cheerful chimney sweeps were dancing around and enjoying themselves on the roof.  Even though those soot covered professionals don’t climb around on our roofs anymore, there are a lot of people who still do the job of chimney sweeping. 

What is a Chimney Sweep?

A chimney sweep is, simply, the guy or gal that comes and cleans out your chimney. There are lots of different things that get stuck in your chimney during the wintertime, so it’s important to clean it out on a regular basis. The cleaning process is a complicated, and often dangerous one and, unless you’re trained to do it, it’s better off just to call a professional in to come and take care of it for you. This actually costs a lot less to do it because the Chicago chimney cleaning already have all of the tools that they need in order to take care of the cleaning process. 

What Do Chimney Sweeps Do?

When a chimney sweep comes to your house, they’re going to do a few things in order to make sure that your chimney is completely cleared out of everything. The chimney sweep will come to the house to open up two different vents: the soot hatch and the sweeping hatch. As you likely know, soot is produced in the chimney when things are burning. The soot builds up after awhile, and as it builds up, it can cause dangers to you and your family. If you don’t clean it, there could end up being a fire or another unwanted issue going on with your chimney. When they open these two hatches, they’re going to use their brooms and other special tools to sweep and scrape out all of the soot that has gotten stuck in there. 

The process is pretty quick, taking about 10 to 20 minutes. Many times, you can get an inspection done at the same time, just to make sure that your chimney is still intact and that there aren’t any cracks or other issues that may come up for you. 

Chicago chimney sweeps play a pretty important role in helping us to keep our homes safe, especially if we are depending on our fireplace or woodstove to be our primary source of heat during those chilly winter nights. If you haven’t gotten your chimney cleaned in awhile, make sure that you call one soon so that they can get you set up and ready to go. 

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What Are the Most Common Chimney Issues?

Did you know that you’re supposed to get your chimney inspected every 4 years? There are a lot of things that can go wrong with your chimney – in this quick blog, we’re going to take a peek at the three most common chimney issues that chimney sweeps and other professionals find during their inspections. 

Residue

This is the reason that you’re supposed to get your chimney cleaned on a regular basis. As you burn wood, or whatever other fuel that you’re using in your fireplace, it produces soot. Some of the soot goes up and out of the chimney in the form of smoke, but a lot of it gets stuck on the inside of the chimney. This residue can build up over time, and if it doesn’t get taken care of, it can be a major fire hazard. You are supposed to get your chimney cleaned out every four (4) years according to the law, but most people do it every year or every other year to be safe. 

Clogging and Obstruction

There are things that can get stuck in your chimney other than soot. Sometimes, an unfortunate animal will end up in your chimney and end up blocking the way. A storm may come and a variety of different things could end up getting stuck in there, making it hard for the air and smoke to go through the chimney. Trash could end up in there too. If you can imagine it, then it can probably end up getting stuck in your chimney. If you notice that something seems to be a bit odd with how the air is flowing through, then you will want to get it taken care of as soon as possible.  

Cracks in the Brickwork

As time goes on, your chimney is going to age as your house ages. The ground is going to shift from time to time, or there are going to be storms that make things a little different. No matter how it happens, the brickwork in your chimney is going to get cracked or broken, or bricks may fall out. Either way, this could be hazardous for your chimney. It could fall apart, or you could end up having one of the above problems happen a lot more easily. If you notice that the bricks are not as they should be, contact a repair person as soon as you can and get it dealt with before the problem gets worse. 

These aren’t the only problems that can come up, but they are definitely the ones that you and your Chicago chimney sweeps  professionals will want to watch out for throughout the winter and during the times of year that you’re getting maintenance performed on your chimney. By keeping these at bay, you can make sure that your family and friends are safe when they’re in your home.  

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