Fireplace Mantel Trends

Fireplace Mantel Trends
by: Sam Wilhoit

Fireplace mantels are no longer permanent, immovable wood surfaces. With today’s newer manufacturing processes, fireplace mantels have now become fixtures homeowners can use to update, redecorate or define a rooms look and feel.

Fireplace Mantel Focal Point

If you’re considering replacing your fireplace mantel, Georgia fireplace mantel manufacturer Park Pigott suggests first re-thinking your mantel’s importance. “Number one, a mantel is a piece of furniture. It just happens to go around a fireplace,” Pigott says. “A fireplace with a mantel should be a focal point of a room. When you walk in you should be able to say, ‘Wow, isn’t that lovely!’”

Size up your current fireplace mantel. If you have a newer home, chances are it isn’t really even a fireplace mantel at all. “A builder’s idea of a fireplace mantel is a couple of 1 x 4s on the sides, a 2 x 6 on top and couple of nails,” Pigott says.

If you have that kind of structure, don’t fret. It just means the slim boards are that much easier to remove. If it’s a substantial fireplace mantel that just isn’t eye-catching, examine the installation. You’re likely to find you won’t need a contractor to remove and replace it. And since sites like http://Brick-Anew.com offer manufacturing and shipping on fireplace mantels—something that used to be unheard of—it’s easier than ever to side-step that contractor and select a brand-new fireplace mantel on the Internet.

Fireplace Mantel Trends

So what kinds of fireplace mantels are homeowners clamoring for today? It turns out that ornate, even Victorian, fireplace mantels have reclaimed their throne in American living rooms. Pigott says tiger oak, mahogany and cherry are the most popular woods used to create those ornate mantels.

“People want big mantels, like those you found in the 1880s—grand, palatial mantels with mirrors and columns,” Pigott says, adding traditional styles don’t have to contrast with modern fixtures. “You can hide a flat-screen TV behind a mirror on your mantel.”

Economy Fireplace Mantels

If you want traditional style but have a more modern budget, recent manufacturing technology has created an array of MDF, or presswood, fireplace mantels. Easy to install and costing hundreds less, economy fireplace mantels can be dressed up with fireplace screens and tool sets in stunning finishes that offset the mantel’s paint, which is applied in the absence of real wood grain.

Custom Fireplace Mantels

If you want to decide the style, scope and cost of your fireplace mantel, a custom fireplace mantel may be the answer. Previously, homeowners were restricted by the material available at local lumberyards and the cost of carpenters. Now, it’s easy to measure your fireplace, decide on the building material, choose your style and e-mail in a request for an estimate. When your custom fireplace mantel arrives, it’s easy to install as a do-it-yourself project, or hire a local handyman for the job. Custom mantels are so simple to order and install that Pigott says 50 percent of all of his orders are for custom mantels.

With more and more homeowners defining fireplace mantels as major décor pieces, it’s helpful to know that factory-direct accessibility in today’s fireplace mantel industry makes it easier to afford premium fireplace mantels. At Brick-Anew, we’ve been drawing families around beautifully remodeled fireplaces for years. And with our complete line of every kind of fireplace mantel imaginable available on our Web site, your new family gathering space is just a click away. Choose from hand-hewn or manufactured, finished or unfinished, beautiful Asian choi wood or MDF—you’ll find every style fireplace mantel, for every budget.

About The Author
By Sam Wilhoit of Brick Anew provider of fireplace glass doors: Fireplace Glass Doors, Brick-Anew has been a providor of fireplace paint & accessories since 1997. Please link to Brick Anew when using this article.

Vent Free Heaters Are Safe And Economical

Vent Free Heaters Are Safe And Economical
by: Scott Workman

As a distributor of several leading brands of vent-free gas heaters we're often asked "are vent free heaters safe?", "are vent free heaters efficient"? do vent free heaters require a flue?", "what are the benefits of vent free heaters?" and so on.

Vent free gas heaters were introduced in North America over 30 years ago. Since then hundreds of studies have been conducted and numerous articles have been written on the subject of vent free heaters to help dispel many common misgivings home owners and installers may have about using vent free heaters inside living spaces. The good news is that the vent free heater market continues to experience huge growth every year and is poised for continued growth for years to come. As for the above questions, let's get to it.

Why are these heaters called "vent free"?

They are called "vent free" because they are unvented. Vent free heaters have no flue to vent the hot gases outside. All of the heat energy, including by-products of combustion, are vented inside the dwelling.

Why are vent free heaters so popular?

Vent free heaters are 99.9% efficient! That's enough to get anyone's attention. With such a dramatic rise in fuel costs over the past decade, people are looking for solutions to lower their monthly fuel bill. What better way to reduce your heating bill than to install a nearly 100% fuel efficient heating appliance. Unlike a central furnace system, which puts heat into every room in the house (whether those rooms are occupied or not), a separate room heater, often called a zone heater, heats only the room being occupied at the time. This room is typically the family room or great room of the house where home occupants spend a vast majority of their time. With a room heater, heat energy is not being wasted in empty or unoccupied spaces. Therefore, homeowners can turn down their central furance and only heat the room they are occupying. And by using a vent free heater, virtually all (99.9%) of the heat energy is being utilized. BTU input equals BTU output because there is no flue.

What are the effects of the combustion by-products emitted by a vent free heater?

Combustion of gas, either natural or propane, produces carbon dioxide, water vapor and trace amounts of other elements. A very small amount of carbon monixide (measured in parts per million) may be emitted, but well, well below standards of safety set forth by regulatory agencies. A burning cigarette sitting in an ash tray emits up to 10 times more carbon monoxide into the air than a 25,000 BTU vent free heater.

Vent free heaters are by design very clean burning when properly installed and cared for. For optimum combustion efficiency and operational safety, 1 square inch of free outside air per 1000 BTU input is sufficient. This amount of air is normally pre-existing in most homes through natural infiltration from doorways, windows, connected spaces, etc. In unusual circumstances, it may be necessary to crack open a window to allow for adequate combustion air.

A little higher room humidity is the most notable difference between a vent free heater and one that is vented to the outside. Water vapor occurs through the combustion process of the gas. Most people find a little added humidty to be a valuable benefit during the heating season where the relative humidity indoors compared to outdoors is quite low. No need to add a humidfier to the space when operating a vent free heater. Installing the heater in a laundry room or any other already humid environment may produce more humidty to those rooms than is desired.

But are they safe?

Yes. All vent free heaters for home use must have an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS), a safety mechanism built into the pilot assembly. This feature shuts off the appliance should the oxygen level in the room become insufficient for complete combustion of the gas. In any case, vent free heaters over 10,000 BTU's are not recommend for bedrooms, and in some states not allowed in bedrooms at all. And we should point out here that there are still a few states across the U.S. who do no approve vent free at all. This does not necessarily mean they are illegal to own and operate, it just means that they are not yet approved and a building inspector and/or gas utility may "red tag" the appliance. Alwyas check local codes.

Keep in mind that a vent free heater is a "secondary" heat source to supplement your primary heating system. It's not a good idea to use vent free heaters in every room of the house and operate them simultaneously. Doing so may produce excess levels of condensation forming on windows and other cold surfaces. Excess moisture can also be a source of mold growth, which is unhealthy.

A ton of information is available on the internet concerning the use of vent free heaters. Most of this information is very favorable, but you may also find some negative opinions. This is usually the result of misapplication or improper use of vent free. Here at Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc. we actively promote and sell vent free heaters because they are safe, economical to operate easy to install and affordable to purchase. We have sold and promoted vent free heaters for over 20 years and have hundreds of very happy customers. For those who simply don't want vent free, we also offer various models of direct vent wall heaters. The public can view these heaters at Heater Sun Unlimited or Infrared Info.

About The Author
Scott Workman is owner president of Infra-Red Products Supply, Inc., located in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information, visit Heater Sun Limited or Infrared Info.

Cutting Energy Bills with Roof Replacement

Cutting Energy Bills with Roof Replacement
by: Michael Clem

It’s that time of year again - the weather is getting a bit cooler as the fall and winter seasons begin. The dropping temperatures will inevitably affect energy costs, and as you look at ways to keep your energy bill down by winterizing your home, remember to consider the roof.

Taking steps to keep your energy bill under control, such as finding drafts and sealing them, replacing old insulation, and checking your vinyl siding and windows for wear and tear are all futile efforts with an old, battered roof.

The Cost of Your Old Roof

Just as a hat keeps you warm in the winter, your roof functions in a similar way for your home – it holds the heat in. But if your roof is old and worn, if your home has no “hat,” your efforts to heat your home could literally be going through the roof. In addition, an old roof is often leaky, contributing to mold and bacteria overgrowth in your home.

The end result can be chronic allergy problems and even respiratory infections for you and your family, because you are breathing in contaminated air.

A trained professional roofing contractor is best-equipped to identify problem areas on your roof and let you know whether minor repairs need to be done, or if there is enough damage, wear and tear to warrant a roof replacement instead.

The Value of a New Roof

Replacing your roof is an investment, helping to cut your energy costs and increase the value of your home. A 2005 annual report by Remodeling Online Magazine reported the average cost of replacing a roof can range anywhere from about $11,500 to $17,000, depending on where you live in the United States.

And your new roof can prove to be a lucrative investment if you ever decide to move. GAF Materials Corp., (a manufacturer of residential and commercial building supplies including roofing materials) reports that, according to a group of realtors surveyed, up to 40 percent of your home’s curb appeal is your roof. Though its impact is more subtle, the appearance of your roof can attract buyers to your home and increase the resale value of your home when you’re ready to sell.

Before You Shop

Often, a poor-quality roofing job does not show any signs of a problem for years. Getting a new roof is a major investment in your home, so be very careful when you begin to look for a contractor. In addition to making sure you see a portfolio of their previous work, ask for references and make sure you call them.

When looking for a roofing contractor, you want a qualified professional who will use the best materials and back up their work with a good warranty that doesn’t just cover the roofing materials, but also covers the labor to repair those roofing materials should you need repairs done.

If you have a roofing contractor in your local area that is a Certified Master Elite Roofer – only 2% of all roofers in the U.S. carry this distinction – you can rest assured that the work done on your home is excellent quality and is covered under a strong warranty.

Roofing Accessories to Consider

As you talk with contractors, keep in mind that the installation of a new roof involves more than just nailing in your shingles. A good roofing job will include at least a waterproof leak barrier, and ideally an additional layer of protection from the elements, sometimes called “roof deck protection.” Once this foundation is laid, then your shingles will be laid down.

Also discuss attic ventilation with your roofing contractor – without it, in the summer, your attic can get so hot that it actually bakes your shingles. And in the winter, the hot moist air heating your home can get trapped in your attic, soak and diminish the effectiveness of your insulation, and increase your energy bill.

Lastly, if you were ever thinking of getting skylights for your home, now is the best time to plan for them.

Many homeowners wait until their roof is leaking, there is major, visible damage or there is a complete catastrophe before replacing their roof. What these homeowners don’t realize is they are wasting money on their energy bills in the meantime. A new roof will increase the beauty of your home, cut your energy bills, and play a major role in your ability to sell your home at your asking price. Find out the condition of your roof before the winter weather sets in so that you can be aware of its condition and avoid the headaches that come when catastrophe pushes you into the emergency purchase of a new roof.

About The Author
Michael Clem is Operations Manager of Creative Energy of Richmond, Virginia, a home improvement expert in Central Virginia. A Certified Master Elite Roofer, the company is a roofing contractor and also specializes in vinyl siding and vinyl replacement windows. Learn more at: Roofing.

Fireplace Inserts: Better Efficiency, Cleaner Air

Fireplace Inserts: Better Efficiency, Cleaner Air
by: Sam Wilhoit

Fireplace inserts do more than breathe new life into an old, wood-burning fireplace. Fireplace inserts also provide cleaner air in your home and create a more efficient heating system, helping reduce energy bills in the face of today’s skyrocketing gas prices.

What is a Fireplace Insert, Anyway?

Fireplace inserts are steel or cast iron fireboxes that are fitted directly into your original fireplace. Fronted by self-cleaning safety glass, fireplace inserts draw and exhaust heat and fumes through the original chimney or via a pipe directly vented through an exterior wall. Fireplace inserts are safer and more efficient than traditional fireplaces because combustible air is drawn into the firebox through one pipe, and toxic fumes are vented back outside through another. The resulting heat is forced back into the room—sans toxic fumes—via vents in the front, creating a more efficient heating system.

Gas Fireplace Inserts

Stylishly and conveniently updating an older fireplace, gas fireplace inserts use decorative logs and gas jets to suffuse a room with radiant heat. These fireplace inserts can be fueled through your home’s natural gas line or a propane tank (which are also available in varying sizes from smaller propane tanks to large tanks stored underground). Choices abound when it comes to gas fireplace inserts, with options on everything from venting (vent-free, natural vent and direct vent fireplace inserts are available) to blaze preference. For instance, if a yellow flame hearkens back to the hearth of your childhood, a ceramic fiber log set will create luxurious radiant heat with a gorgeous glow and realistic flame. Not that particular? Try the less expensive concrete gas log set and get set for a comfortable haven of warmth.

Wood-burning Fireplace Inserts

Still crave the crackle of a real wood fire? Want a fireplace insert with low-cost fuel? An EPA-certified wood-burning fireplace insert can create a blaze contained within a firebox that uses a glass door rather than a single, permanently sealed glass front. These inserts create a less smoky atmosphere than their traditional wood-burning counterparts while still radiating plenty of heat efficiently. According to the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association, wood-burning fireplace inserts generate nearly 65 percent more heat than traditional fireplaces and cut smoke emissions by nearly 90 percent. An added bonus: wood-burning fires can provide warmth and light when a power or gas line goes down.

Fireplace Insert Fuel Options

It’s not all gas and wood when it comes to fueling your new fireplace insert. Fuel pellets made from compressed sawdust are available for wood-burning fireplace inserts. You can buy heating pellets in bulk, making it easier to budget for your heating costs in advance. Pellet fuel also emits the lowest amount of smoke emissions, according to the HPBA, and is available from specialty and home improvement retailers. If compressed sawdust isn’t for you, coal is another option for fueling your new fireplace insert. Also according to the HPBA, anthracite coal is the most commonly used in supplemental heating, and is a low-cost, readily available fuel for wood-burning fireplaces.

Choosing the Right Fireplace Insert

Have plenty of time for maintenance? No time at all? Want ambiance, not heat? Ask yourself these and other questions before deciding on which fireplace insert to install. Then talk to the fireplace insert specialists at Brick-Anew to help determine the fireplace insert that fits your maintenance level, style, heat output needs and fuel availability. Complete your new fireplace insert with Brick-Anew’s fireplace screens, tools and accessories, and even give your existing masonry a total makeover with Brick-Anew’s patent-pending brick remodeling system. Then lie back in front of your roaring fire and say, “Now that’s a fireplace.”

About The Author
Sam Wilhoit of Brick Anew provider of fireplace glass doors: Fireplace Glassdoors . Brick-Anew has been a providor of fireplace paint & accessories since 1997. Please link to Brick Anew when using this article.

Electric Fireplaces Warm Up Any Living Space

Electric Fireplaces Warm Up Any Living Space
by: Sam Wilhoit

Plug-and-play family? Check. No time to burn? Check. Still crave a soothing fire to relax away the tensions of your fast-paced day? If these questions have you nodding, then it’s time to check out an electric fireplace from Brick-Anew—an inexpensive, portable convenience to add luxury to your modern life.

Benefits of Electric Fireplaces

Today’s outrageously affordable, smartly configured, portable electric fireplaces are glowing in hundreds of thousands of homes, with no original masonry or pre-fabricated fireplace required. That little fact means you can have a radiant hearth and luxuriant warmth in an apartment, single family home, townhouse, condo, cottage—you name it. And its simple firebox, surround, mantel and grate make for a lightweight purchase you can easily carry to that fifth-floor walk-up. Got it inside? Simply plug in to any available outlet and enjoy an instant fire at your fingertips.

What Does Zero-Clearance Mean?

As we mentioned above, electric fireplaces are portable. They also are what’s called a zero-clearance hearth product—which means electric fireplaces are an easy splash of decoration for almost any spot in your home. Have you considered an electric fireplace in your bedroom, den or even sun-room? Just pick it up and move it in and you have an interesting focal point in a brand new place. Electric fireplaces can also be hardwired into your home’s interior walls, although a professional installer will have to do the job. Once in, however, the varying styles in mantels, surrounds, fireplace glass doors, logs and even flames will give your new electric fireplace a personal touch that ensures consistency in your room’s décor. Already got a fireplace? You can install an electric fireplace insert for a convenient, hassle-free hearth.

Not Just for Heat

While electric fireplaces kick out enough heat to warm a smaller space—up to 400 feet—they also employ a unique feature. At the touch of a button, you can enjoy the romance and ambiance of dancing fire-light without the heat. While the “flame” doesn’t mirror a real flame entirely, modern technology provides refracted light and colored light bulbs to create depth, shadow and flicker. Perfect for sultry summer evenings, after a day at the beach, during dinner parties on a warmer night, or no occasion at all, the heat-free setting on an electric fireplace boasts a quick splash of cool ambiance their traditional fireplace counterparts just can’t match.

Size Matters

Want to slide a blazing fire under the television in your entertainment center? Want to warm up that gaping 64’ inch hearth with a reassuring flicker? Got a spot you just can’t figure out how to fill? Sending your teen-ager off to college in a cool clime? The great thing about electric fireplaces is the variety of size in which they’re available. With sizes from 20 inches to more than 60, electric fireplaces are a snap to move and set up—anywhere you choose.

The Only Name in Electric Fireplaces

So who says you can’t enjoy a fireplace in any environment? Whether you have a haven or hide-away, homestead or house, it just doesn’t get any easier than an electric fireplace. Brick-Anew offers a full line of stunning electric fireplaces and an amazing selection of fireplace glass doors, tools, accessories and more. Call the experts at Brick-Anew now to help you choose the perfect electric fireplace and complete your little spot of heaven.

About The Author
By Sam Wilhoit of Brick Anew provider of fireplace glass doors: Fireplace Glassdoors Brick-Anew has been a providor of fireplace paint & accessories since 1997. Please link to Brick Anew when using this article.