Video - By the Fire

Craig with By the Fire shows off his company's simulated stone hearth. This one includes an electric fireplace. We interviewed Craig at the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo.

Be sure to check out the By the Fire website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.


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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Fake Fireplaces Are a Real Option
Less expensive and easier to install than wood-burning fireplaces, a fake fireplace provides most of the benefits of a "real" fireplace and eliminates a good bit of the hassle and mess.

Electric Fireplaces
A wide selection of electric fireplaces.

Video - Thermo-rite Fireplace Doors

At the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo we met with a representative from Thermo-rite manufacturing, the originators of tempered glass fireplace doors.

Visit the Thermo-rite website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.


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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Choosing the Right Fireplace Glass Door
This article explains many available options for fireplace glass doors to help you choose the right one for your fireplace.

Fireplace Mantels
A wide selection of fireplace mantels including unfinished mantels you can stain, seal, or paint yourself.

Video - Twin Star Home

Kevin Killough with Twin Star International met us at the 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo to show off Twin Star's latest product, an entertainment center with a built-in electric hearth.

Be sure to check out the Twin Star website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.


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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Modern Design Options for Fireplaces
This article explores modern design options including mounting a flatscreen television above a fireplace.

Fireplace Mantels
A wide selection of fireplace mantels including unfinished mantels you can stain, seal, or paint yourself.

Video - Pilgrim Hearth

At the 2008 Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo, Fireplace Decorating caught up with the President and CEO of Pilgrim Hearth, Gene Russell. He told us about some of Pilgrim Hearth's newest products including their award-winning fireplace screens.

Be sure to check out the Pilgrim Hearth website, and stay tuned for more videos from the Hearth, Patio & BBQ Expo in Atlanta.


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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Choosing a Fireplace Screen
A fireplace screen can be a stylish and beautiful addition to your hearth. This article shows you what to look for when selecting a fireplace screen.

Fireplace Screens
A great selection of fireplace screens.

Videos - 2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo

The 2008 Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Expo was just in Atlanta this past weekend, and Fireplace Decorating was there! We interviewed many of the exhibitors and learned about some of the exciting new trends in fireplace products and ideas for decorating/remodeling.

Check out these videos from the show:

Pilgrim Hearth

Pearl Mantels

Mantels of Yesteryear

Twin Star Home

Hargrove Hearth

Thermo-rite

By the Fire

Portland Williamette


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Fireplaces and Modern Design
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Fireplace Makeover
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Return on Investment
Getting the best return on investment for your home improvement.

Video - Hand Crafted Mantels

In this video, Greg Ingram from The Mantel Market shows off some of his custom-crafted hardwood mantels. He walks us through part of the process to build a hardwood mantel by hand from a custom design. He also shows an innovative way to hide a a flatscreen television hidden behind a fireplace mirror.

For over 25 years, the expert craftsmen at the Mantel Market in Chamblee, Georgia have been creating unique, custom mantels. They have been featured in Architectural Digest, Atlanta Magazine, Southern Accents, and Better Homes and Gardens.



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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
Videos from the 2008 tradeshow in Atlanta--Fireplace Decorating was there!

Rustic Fireplace Mantels for Modern Homes
Rough-hewn or primitive hardwood mantels bridge the gap between traditional and modern design.

Fireplace Mantels
A wide selection of fireplace mantels including hand-crafted hardwood mantels from North Georgia.

Video - Gas Fireplace Products

In this original video for Fireplace Decorating, Charlie Hanft from The Hearth and Patio Shop demonstrates some new products and trends for fireplaces. He explains the difference between the various options for fireplace gas logs including vented gas logs (the older, more traditional option) and ventless gas logs which are more efficient at heating a room. He shows us a direct vent fireplace with a sealed glass front that warms a room without fumes. He also introduces us to a new product, tempered broken glass for a colorful look in a gas fireplace.

For over 30 years, The Hearth and Patio Shop in downtown Tucker, Georgia has offered personalized customer service in the metro Atlanta area.



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2008 Hearth, Patio, and BBQ Expo
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Logs for Gas Fireplaces
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Gas Logs Update Your Fireplace Efficiently
An article exploring the basic options for gas fireplaces and gas fireplace logs.

Choosing the Right Fireplace Glass Door

If you don’t know what you’re looking at, the many options for glass fireplace doors can be confusing and even overwhelming. What does zero-clearance mean? What is tempered glass? How can you tell if a glass door will fit your fireplace? This article explains many of the available options so you can know which fireplace glass door is the right one for your fireplace.


Masonry or Zero-Clearance?

Before you start shopping for glass fireplace doors, you need to know what kind of fireplace you have. There are two kinds of fireplaces:

• Masonry fireplaces are made of brick and mortar. If your fireplace chimney is made of brick and mortar, you have a masonry fireplace.

• Zero-clearance fireplaces (also called factory built fireplaces) are prefabricated in a factory and are made of metal, although the hearth may be lined with firebricks. If your fireplace chimney is a metal pipe, possibly topped with a round metal chimney cap, you have a zero-clearance fireplace.

It is important to determine which kind of fireplace you have since a glass door for a masonry fireplace will not work for a zero-clearance fireplace and vice-versa.


Zero Clearance Fireplaces: Find the Make and Model

If you have a zero-clearance fireplace, these require a specific size door. This ensures the correct amount of airflow is allowed into the fireplace to keep the unit operating properly. The best way to get the right size door for a zero-clearance fireplace is to find the manufacturer and model number. Look for a metal tag inside the fireplace with the manufacturer and model number.

If you can’t find this information, contact a fireplace door dealer for assistance.


Masonry Fireplaces: Measure to Fit

If you have a masonry fireplace, you will need to measure to ensure the fireplace door you buy is a good fit. There are two options for masonry fireplace doors:

• Inside Fit means the door mounts inside the hearth opening.

• Overlap Fit means the door mounts outside the hearth opening.

The fit depends on the design of the door itself. Inside Fit and Overlap Fit require different sets of measurements. Thermo-rite, a manufacturer of glass fireplace doors, has a free brochure that tells you how to measure your hearth for a fireplace glass door.


Trends and Options for Fireplace Doors

Recent advances have given consumers a wide array of choices from simple doors to designer and decorative products that can make your fireplace sizzle. To get more information about the latest trends in fireplace glass doors, we turned to Ray Repasky, vice president of Thermo-Rite.

According to Ray, custom fireplace doors are the next big thing. “Today, people can choose the glass color, the metal finish and the width of the frame,” he says.

A few of the recent trends in fireplace glass doors:

Finish – Once the most popular option for fireplace doors, brass fittings have recently been less fashionable in home interiors. Many people have turned to earthy finishes such as iron, stainless steel, pewter, brushed nickel and black. These are the same choices that have become more popular for lighting, faucets and other home fixtures.

Design – Trackless fireplace doors with thin frames and folding doors are the top choice. Some frames fit well with a modern décor, while others are more traditional. Many of these fireplace doors can be customized to fit your hearth perfectly.

Glass Color – Now consumers have alternatives to clear glass in fireplace doors. Bronze glass and other colored glass let you see a fire when it is burning, but hide the interior of the hearth when there is no fire. “Many people are discovering the beauty of bronze glass,” says Repasky. “When you aren’t burning a fire, you don’t see into a dirty fireplace.” Other alternatives to clear glass include gray, mirrored and beveled glass for fireplace doors.

Dealers are giving consumers more choice than ever in fireplace products. Whether you are shopping for a masonry fireplace glass door or a zero clearance fireplace glass door, be sure to do your research to get the fireplace glass door that’s right for your hearth, your home, and your budget.


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Fireplace Glass Doors: Conserving Energy, Saving Money
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Real Life Fireplace Remodel
Before and after pictures from Cheryl who remodeled her fireplace with brick paint and new fireplace glass doors.

Fireplace Glass Doors
Masonry and zero-clearance fireplace doors. Many different styles and sizes to choose from.

Fireplace Glass Doors — Conserving Energy, Saving Money

You’ve got your working fireplace going—a nice, warm fire for a cold night. The lights are down a bit to make things more cozy. So why do you need glass fireplace doors?

To get the answer we turned to Ray Repasky. Ray is the vice president of Thermo-Rite, a manufacturer of glass fireplace doors.

“If there are not glass doors on the fireplace, most of your heated air goes up and out the chimney,” says Ray.

The key is air flow. Without fireplace doors, the fire draws air from the room, heats it, and the heated air rises out through the chimney. Although you get some heat radiated from the hearth, ironically the fire is drawing colder air into the room and expelling the warmed air out through the chimney.

According to the Black Hills Power company, the average fireplace is very inefficient at delivering heat, losing most of the heat from the fire. They recommend glass glass fireplace doors to increase the energy efficiency of your fireplace. And energy efficiency translates directly into savings.

With the price of all fuels rising—natural gas, home heating oil, even firewood—many homeowners find that installing fireplace doors helps to keep a room warmer with a fire. “Most people are anticipating the shortage of gas and the expense of gas, so they’re trying to get more heat out of their fireplaces to keep bills down,” Repasky says. “And they’re finding that energy-efficient fireplace doors reduce air flow from the heated room.” The radiant heat from the fireplace and the tempered glass of the doors (which can safely withstand temperatures up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit) warms the room, and less warm air is lost.

Another way fireplace doors save energy and preserve heat is by keeping cold air from blowing down the chimney when you don’t have a fire going. “If you have a glass door on that fireplace, it acts like a storm door,” says Ray. “It’s a proven fact that the room will stay warmer when the door is closed.”

Homeowners with vented gas logs can also benefit from a glass door addition. “If you use glass fireplace doors on wood-burning or vented-gas fireplaces, you can make the room feel warmer than normal.”

Fireplace glass doors are a great way to “go green.” Increasing the energy efficiency of your fireplace helps the environment, and lower energy bills keep more “green” in your wallet!


Related Links:

Choosing the Right Fireplace Glass Door
An article with more information on the various options for fireplace glass doors.

Fireplace Glass Doors
Masonry and zero-clearance fireplace doors. Many different styles and sizes to choose from.

Fake Fireplaces Are a Real Option

Don’t have a fireplace in your house or apartment? Don’t want the hassle or mess of firewood? You can still get the warmth and feel of a fireplace with a an artificial or fake fireplace. Less expensive and easier to install than wood-burning fireplaces, a fake fireplace provides most of the benefits of a "real" fireplace and eliminates a good bit of the hassle and mess.

Artificial fireplaces can be all electric, or they can burn gas or fuel-gel. They are available in a wide variety of materials from the simplest unfinished pine to the finest marble. The prices vary accordingly. Many artificial fireplaces can be placed anywhere in a room, and some are even portable. If you are missing the warmth and comfort of a fire, a fake fireplace (with or without flame) may just be the solution for you.


Gas

With ceramic or cement logs, real flame, and real heat, gas-powered fireplaces are being more and more popular. You can hook the fireplace up directly to your home’s gas line or to an outside tank. This is much more economical than firewood, and the natural gas is clean-burning and produces less smoke and grime.

There are two kinds of gas fireplaces:

• Direct-vent: Gas fireplaces that are vented through a chimney or outside wall.
• Vent-free or ventless: Gas fireplaces that require no vents at all.

Most existing fireboxes can be converted to gas fireplaces. Gas fireplaces can give you the convenience of thermostat control, heatless setting, remote control, and safety glass. Manufacturers offer many different styles of ceramic and cement logs for gas fireplaces.


Electric

Electric fireplaces are convenient, portable, and economic. Generally cheaper than gas fireplaces, you can put an electric fireplace anywhere there’s an electrical outlet. They require no vents. They often have glowing “logs” instead of flames. A portable electric fireplace is the perfect solution for a renter—you can have the warmth and coziness of a real fireplace and still take it with you when you move.


Gel Fuel

Gel-fueled fireplaces (also known as portable fireplaces or vent-less fireplaces) burn alcohol gel in small canisters that you place behind the “logs” after being lighting them. Many gel fireplaces cost less than $500. This price, along with their portability make gel fireplaces popular with renters. Since they usually don’t produce much heat, they are generally used for ambience; you can even try different scents.


Making Your Own Fake Fireplace

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, only one-third of Americans actually use fireplaces for heat. If you are part of the two-thirds majority, maybe you should consider building your own non-burning fireplace? Consider using a hand-carved hardwood mantel that you can finish yourself and install in your home. Fireplaces without working fireboxes can still have a real flame if you use fireplace candelabras. And don’t forget about hanging your stockings on the mantle come Christmas!

Choosing a Fireplace Screen

Fireplace screens provide an extra measure of safety and protection for your working fireplace. Home improvement expert Bob Vila advises consumers to “always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces.” But you don’t have to settle for an ugly screen or a “one size fits all” screen; newer styles offer many finishes, designs, and sizes to fit your fireplace and your living area.

The first step in picking the right fireplace screen is determining which type of screen works best for your hearth. There are two types of fireplace screens:

• Single Plate – Single-plate screens consist of one single panel to cover the fireplace opening. The plate will either be curved so it can stand on its own, or it may include stands. The screen can be glass or mesh.

• Folding – Folding screens are hinged for easy adjustment. They usually consist of a large center panel of either glass or mesh and two smaller, folding panels on either side. The individual panels can be flat or curved.

Get the Right Fit

Screen distributor John S. Adams tells buyers to measure their fireplace opening and get a screen that fits. Ill-fitting screens (too small or too big) look wrong and can potentially create a safety hazard. “The screen should cover the entire opening,” Adams says. “You want good coverage with narrow, fine mesh—not great big holes.”

Since fireplaces come in all shapes and sizes, measure the dimensions of your fireplace opening before shopping for screens. If you are looking a single-plate screens, get a screen with a few inches to spare in both width and height for a snug fit. If you are considering a folding screen, look for one with up to 10 extra inches width and 5 extra inches height. This will allow you to set up the screen to cover the fireplace opening fully without overextending it. A folding screen that is too open may tip over.


Finish the Job

Just like fireplace tools and fireplace doors, you can select from a wide variety of finishes and styles for your fireplace screen. Adams notes that the most popular finish choices are natural iron, brushed steel or pewter, and basic black. Traditional polished brass is still an option, but many consider the look old-fashioned.

Style-wise, you can choose the look that is right for your fireplace and your living area. Do you have a simple, streamlined, modern look? Maybe a simple iron screen would work for you. Do you have mission-style furnishings? Perhaps a fireplace screen with mission-style designs in the metalwork would work for your living area. Or, if you are looking for something more ornate, check out fireplace screens with curved, floral designs.


Stay Safe

“A lot of families are looking for protection for their kids and pets, whether the fireplace is gas or wood-burning,” says Adams. “Even if it’s a gas fireplace, the glass enclosure gets unbelievably hot.” Luckily today’s manufacturers provide a product that is safer than ever and available in a wealth of choices to fit the color and décor of your home.

Choosing Fireplace Tools to Fit Your Style and Needs

How much do you think about the fireplace tools by your hearth? Not that much, probably. Many consider them simply decorations. And most people do not take the fireplace tools into account when updating the living area décor.

Fireplace tools can be very useful for fireplace cleaning and maintenance. You can also make a statement of style with your tools. Usefulness and style—you should always take these two major factors into account when choosing which tools work for your fireplace.


What Are Fireplace Tools? What Do They Do?

You can find the following tools in most fireplace tool sets:

• Poker – The poker allows you to stoke a fire and move logs. The curved hook on the side lets you nab a loose log and pull it back into position.
• Shovel – The shovel allows you to clear cold ash and cinders from the hearth. Don’t let ugly, unsafe as build up in your fireplace. (But remember—do not attempt to remove hot ashes or cinders from the hearth.)
• Broom – The broom allows you to sweep debris or ash from the hearth area. You can use it in combination with the shovel which acts as a dustpan to remove sweepings.
• Tongs – The tongs allow you to grab and move a burning log.

Size it Up

Fireplace tools come in many sizes, so be sure to get the right size for your fireplace. Consider how you are going to use the tools. Will you burn logs frequently? If so, you will probably want a larger set with a durable broom, nothing too polished or fancy. If you do not build fires in your fireplace or if you want the toolset primarily for decoration, you should look at smaller sets. And, naturally, the larger fireplace you have, the larger the tools should be.


Modern Design for Fireplace Tools

Modern design is becoming more popular for homes and fireplaces. Fireplace tool distributor John S. Adams from Iowa says that many homeowners are shopping for modern fireplace toolsets these days to match their décor. Brushed steel, pewter, nickel, and iron (metallic or black) are popular finishes for these streamlined, simplistic tools. The “modern” look fits right in with other contemporary touches as well as modern electronics like flatscreen plasma TVs.


The Classic Look

Many decorators and designers currently consider polished brass fixtures (including lights, cabinet handles, and fireplace toolsets) to be out of style. “Polished brass has all but totally gone away,” says Adams. Decorator Beth Norton even pointed out the “outdated brass” in her Before picture of a condo redecoration. If your living area is less modern and more classic, you should consider the timeless look of antique brass, bronze, or a silver finish including nickel, chrome, pewter, and burnished steel. Of course, polished brass tools are still available if you want the traditional look.

Rustic Fireplace Mantels for Modern Homes

Reflecting an era of log cabin simplicity, rustic fireplace mantels are making a strong return to the mainstream of modern living. With hand-hewn textures, hardy wood and affordability in equal measure, handsome rustic mantels are cozying up fireplaces everywhere—quicker than you can say Abe Lincoln.


Going Back to the Past

Georgia mantel manufacturer Park Pigott says homeowners are specific about styling when it comes to rustic fireplace mantels. Top sellers for Pigott include reproductions of an 1850s Kentucky farmhouse mantel along with Craftsman-style mantels. He also says hand-hewn, crude-looking fireplace mantels from earlier eras are becoming a hit with today’s homeowners.

Popular styles in rustic fireplace mantels include raw, hand-hewn pine planks that can be sanded and stained as a weekend project or bought prefinished ready to install. There are even simpler fixtures consisting of pine logs sawed in half and set into special brackets.

“A lot of people are buying timber frame and log homes today,” Pigott says of the trend to get rustic. “Twenty years ago, most people wouldn’t dream of living in a log house, even if it was brand new. A hundred years ago, you either lived in a log cabin or, if you were wealthy, you lived in a nice house with a nice mantel. If you lived in a log cabin, the mantel was a lot more primitive.”


Creating the Rustic Fireplace Mantel

Even more primitive than the style of rustic fireplace mantels is the tool used to create the look. Called an adz, this is a tool that has been used for centuries in woodworking. It has a blade perpendicular to the handle unlike an axe whose blade is parallel.

“Hand-hewn means shaped with an adz,” Pigott explains. “There are two kinds of adzes: one cuts flat and the other cuts curved.” Pigott says his crew uses the curved variety, which he likens to a hoe with a curved blade. “We start off with a beam that’s been planed down and then do the hewing.”

The process, which creates a dappled look in the rustic fireplace mantel—as if someone repeatedly dipped at it with an especially sharp ice cream scoop—is an arduous one. Centuries ago, a woodsman would stand astride the plank of wood, take a downward swipe with the blade, and then walk backwards, repeating the motion. Today’s process isn’t much different. “It’s a lot of work,” Pigott says.


The Right Wood for the Job

The work doesn’t stop there; once the wood is shaped, it has to be dried in giant kilns, a process that can take up to a month. To help cut down on the drying time, Pigott uses white pine because of its porous quality.

“White pine is softer and dries faster than green wood,” Pigott says, adding oak and cherry woods aren’t suitable for rustic fireplace mantels because they take so long to dry out. “Anything you build out of wood will buckle, warp, split or shrink if it’s not dried properly. Even construction-grade lumber is dried to some degree.”

Pigott says many people who want a rustic beam mantel make the mistake of just cutting down a tree, sawing it up and hanging it. “But once they burn a fire or two, it will buckle and warp.”

Another attractive feature of kiln-dried white pine is the price. “People who buy rustic fireplace shelves typically want something inexpensive,” Pigott says. “A full fireplace mantel can cost from $2,000 to $2,500, but a rustic fireplace mantel beam sells for as little as $250 upwards to $1,000.”