Aesthetics
can mix safely with functioning fireplace
When
renovating or installing a fireplace, homeowners should be aware of
the many options they have and planning required for each type of
option.
For
example, it’s possible that your fireplace will be used in an air
conditioned home in Scottsdale, Ariz. mainly for aesthetic purposes
since it rarely gets cold enough in Scottsdale to require a blazing
fire. Plus, the owners have envisioned the fireplace area as a place
to place pictures of family and other treasured heirlooms. As the
fire place is to be used primarily for aesthetic purposes, an
enclosed or other kind of has supplied or fire log fed fireplace
will do fine, even if it is not what people who live near ski resorts
would think of as a “real fireplace.” A real fireplace used to
warm the home brings the potential for real danger and each year in
the U.S. thousands of homes are destroyed by careless fireplace fires
or chimney fires.
So
before planning a renovation, ask yourself how much of the purpose of
the fireplace is decorative and how much functional. How many
irreplaceable valuables do you want near the fireplace. Check your
homeowners policy for any provisions against loss for accidental loss
due to fireplace malfunction, and language regarding the effect of
comparative negligence on the part of the homeowner if a fire causes
loss of personal property.
If
tackling an installation for the first time, make sure your project
is up to code. Otherwise, failure to maintain a proper fireplace
could impair your ability to recover under your policy should a fire
result.
Also,
determine right away whether you intend to be the installer of the
project, or whether you would rather hire out to a contractor the
choice of a system, i.e., wood burning, gas heating, or whether you
have the skills to do the job yourself.
If
this is your first experience with installation of an HVAC system of
any kind, figure in the time and effort necessary to get up to speed,
and whether you necessarily want your first such project to be the
family fireplace. On the other hand, someone who is handy and used to
working with systems around the home, whether they be electrical
plumbing and the like, might find fireplace installation right up
their alley. If you’re a DIY, check with the local authorities,
including homeowner associations and city county licensing types to
make sure you are installing something that is up to code so that you
don’t run into problems later on.
To
avoid chimney fires, keep the chimney swept at least once annually.
In a wood burning fire place, creosote and soot can combine into a
combustible coating that can be lit by a spark and a subsequent
chimney fire. The upward air draft inside the chimney supplies oxygen
to the fire, so chimney fires spread rapidly.
That’s
why
an
industrial
strength
fire
extinguisher
should
part
of
every
decor
scheme.
Fire
extinguishers
and
other
fireplace
accessories
can
be
found
at
toolhq.com.au.
In
short, before undertaking an installation or renovation, think about
whether you want the fireplace for heat warming or aesthetic
purposes. Consider whether you want to do it yourself or contract out
the job and make sure the installation is up to code, and covered in
your homeowners insurance.
Knowing
the
answers
to these
questions
in
advance
will
mean
a
smoother
installation
and
greater
enjoyment
from
your
fireplace
system.
Jay
Preston is Author and Brand Manager at ToolHQ,
Australia's premiere source for power tools.
MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR FIREPLACE?
MAY I ALSO SUGGEST THESE IDEAS FOR YOUR FIREPLACE?
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