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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Picking a Grill for Your Outdoor Patio Kitchen

You’ve got the area all set up. You’ve determined exactly what you’re going to do with the different spaces in your outdoor patio kitchen. But you still haven’t found the centerpiece – the most important thing. The grill! How can you choose the best grill for your outdoor kitchen? Here are some of the best tips that you can use while making that decision. 

Gas, Charcoal, or Something Else? 

This is always the first question that you want to ask when you’re looking at grills. Are you going to get a grill that cooks with gas, are you going to get a grill that cooks with charcoal, or are you going to get creative. If you’re going all out, you may be considering making an outdoor oven of some sort (brick ovens are actually getting really popular, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility for people to do). But, it depends. Some people love the delicious taste that comes with grilling with charcoal. Others prefer the speed, convenience, and precision of the gas grill. It’s all about you and how you like to grill. 

How Much Food Are you Making at a Time?

Now that you know what you’re cooking with, you’ve cut your choices down a bit. The next thing that you want to take a look at is the size of the grill that you’re getting. Obviously, you’re going to be limited by the amount of space you have for your outdoor patio kitchen, but you also want to consider a couple of other things. Are you going to want to buy a huge grill when you’re only cooking for a few people at a time? Or do you plan on throwing a party and cooking up burgers for all of your buddies at the same time? These should also factor into your decision when you’re figuring out how big your grill is going to be. 

How Do You Make Your Grill “You?” 

The last step is personalizing that grill so people know that it’s yours. You could do this in any number of ways. You could get it customized with something that is unique just to you. Or, you can get it in a color that you really like.  Also make sure that you accessorize well. A lot of people will get a special grilling apron that they only use when they’re using their outdoor patio kitchens. You can also get grilling tools that you get personalized as well. It’s all about having fun and making this grilling and kitchen space unique to who you are. 

 

What are you waiting for? The grill of your dreams is out there, waiting for you to purchase it and add it to your outdoor patio kitchen! Do your research ahead of time, and then go out there and nab the one that is going to best fulfill your needs and your desires when it comes to grilling for your family and your pals.

What You Need to Know about Gas Fireplace Conversions

A fireplace in the home adds a touch of class to whatever room it graces, and, of course, can be a great option for keeping warm during the winter. However, many people would like to update their older fireplace, just like they do for other features of their home. Fortunately, a gas fireplace conversion is an easy and relatively affordable option that has become quite popular in recent years.

The Problem with Older Fireplaces

If you’re on the fence about the idea or you haven’t even considered it, there are a couple reasons why most people would rather do without their old fireplace. One is simply that it’s inconvenient. In the age of smartphones and Wi-Fi, no one wants to be troubled by manually loading up a hearth with wood and getting a fire started. This process not only takes longer than most would like, but also can also cause quite the mess.

Many people aren’t too fond of their chimney either. The old-fashioned kind can demand regular cleaning, especially if you have a pest problem. Squirrels, birds and even bats love a good chimney. That access to the outdoors can also cause unnecessary heat loss in your home.

After a gas fireplace conversion, these issues disappear. Starting a fire is as easy as turning on a light and many models these days even come with a remote. There’s absolutely no mess involved either way. Your chimney has no access to the home, so you’re not losing heat and you actually don’t even need the traditional kind that so many pests like to call home.

Options for a Gas Fireplace Conversion

One of the underappreciated benefits of a gas fireplace conversion is that it can give your room a whole new look. If you’re trying to modernize things, obviously you’re not going to get very far if your room features a fireplace from decades ago, for example. By switching out the fireplace, you can make it match any style you want for the room.

Your options for a gas fireplace include:

•A gas fireplace kit

•A vent-free gas fireplace

•A gas fireplace insert

None of these involve any changes to the structure of your home or room. However, in terms of their energy use, the way they’ll affect the inside of your home and their general aesthetic, there are some things worth considering. So let’s look at each of these models a little closer.

A Gas Fireplace Kit

For a long time, this was the most popular option for gas fireplaces. Essentially, it looks just like a traditional version, including a collection of logs and sometimes even a grate. While it looks cool, this model needs a damper that’s kept partially open at all times. Otherwise, someone could activate the fireplace and flood their home with carbon monoxide. However, having a damper open at all times means your home is losing the air you’re paying for—whether heated or cooled. The only other option would be to install airtight glass doors, but those could easily cost in excess of $1,000 all by themselves.

A Vent Free Gas Fireplace

One way to solve this problem is to install a vent free gas fireplace. There’s no exhaust going up your chimney, so you keep all the heat in your room. Unfortunately, this means you can really only run the fireplace for three to four hours. All the combustion ends up inside and this includes the moisture released. So this model also isn’t a good idea for homes where people have asthma, allergies, or heart problems. As you can only run it for a few hours at a time, this isn’t the best model for heating a room either.

A Gas Fireplace Insert

This final option is going to be your most expensive. You’re looking at spending about three times as much for this model. Open fires also aren’t an option with this version, but that also means no loss of air. Plus, you can run this fireplace for hours at a time without fear of moisture issues.

So if you’re still considering a gas fireplace conversion, those are your options. They’ll run between $1,000 and $3,000, for the most part, but if you love the look of a fireplace and the heat it provides, you’ll probably find it worth it. A gasfireplace conversion can also be handled in a day, meaning you won’t have to wait long for the finished product either.

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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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