AVOID THESE COMMON MISTAKES WHEN BUYING FIREPLACES

AVOID THESE COMMON MISTAKES WHEN BUYING FIREPLACES

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION IMPORTANCE OF FIREPLACES IN CANADA Considering a country with cold winters and moderately cool spring and fall months

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fireplaces have always been considered an essential part of every home in Canada. A fireplace is the cozy corner of your home that provides warmth on the coldest nights. A place where you’ll sit and spend time with your friends and family, a place considered to be the ultimate comfort zone in every house during winter. But as the interiors of contemporary homes are changing, so are the types and designs of fireplaces being installed.

There are various fireplaces with stunning designs that are available in the market today.

These fireplace designs are safe, save energy, and are environmentally friendly. Modern fireplaces can provide up to 84% efficiency where older ones can only reach up to 30%.

People can now choose the ideal fireplace for their home among different modern variations such as Gas fireplaces, wood fireplaces, electric fireplaces, and ethanol fireplaces. Gas and electric fireplaces are often preferred for providing warmth as well as for ease of use.

Electric fireplaces are ideal if you are somehow space-restricted. On the other hand, if you prefer real flames with natural sounds then wood fireplaces are the right ones for you.

CHAPTER 2: COMMON MISTAKES WHEN BUYING FIREPLACES & HOW TO AVOID THEM You need to check for various factors before buying a fireplace for your home. This is a purchase that needs a proper selection of the type that suits your needs, the perfect size, and easy installation, and proper budgeting. Check out these common mistakes and how to avoid them before buying the ideal fireplace for your home today.

● Selecting the wrong type of fireplace Each type of fireplace design is made to provide specific performance. That is why it is important to be sure of which type of fireplace is suitable for your home. Determine for what purpose you are looking to buy a fireplace before finalizing. If you want a fireplace design solely for heating, then you better go for closed combustion units as they are more like wood stoves and provide excellent heating.

But if you want more of a decorative one that goes well with your interior irrespective of how much heat they produce, then a modern wood fireplace would be a great choice for you. Gas fireplaces also provide a variety of vented and non-vented models. Vented models with natural-style log sets look stunning but the heat production is less due to venting, where Non-vented models, on the other hand, provide supplemental heating but in some cities, they are not allowed.

● Installing the fireplace by an unqualified installer Fireplace installation can be a hectic job and requires proper skill and training. Homeowners often make the mistake to hire an unqualified person for this job or even try to do it by themselves sometimes. That is why always make sure the person is experienced and

industry-trained in that specific type of fireplace. Most of the companies and local fireplace installation services provide such trained individuals for a hassle-free installation.

● Replacing your old fireplace inaccurately If you’re thinking of replacing your old fireplace with a new designer model, make sure you have a proper chimney or vent system that matches the current one. New models such as vented gas fireplaces or modern wood fireplaces require specific venting properties to operate safely and efficiently. Make sure to look for these factors before buying the fireplace of your choice. Also, in terms of fireplaces, not all of them fit every size, so it is important to check these matters when you are buying a fireplace for your home.

● Buying the improper size This is rather an important factor that homeowners often overlook. If you are going to buy the choice of your fireplace look for the BTUs for the fireplaces. BTU or British Thermal Unit is basically the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1lb of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Most of the time people buy a fireplace from a store solely based on the size of it. You cannot determine how the fireplace is going to perform just by looking at its size.

Rather look at the BTUs for the fireplaces that you’re interested in buying .

● Not having a proper budget Buying a fireplace is not something people do frequently so having a proper budget before purchasing is absolutely necessary. Not only do you have to consider the price of the fireplace itself but also the fees required for the installation. Most of the time the companies provide installation services for new fireplaces. But also, you can get your fireplace installed from a local fireplace installation service provider.

● Buying without an in-home preview When you are buying a fireplace for your home make sure to have a clear picture of how this new installation will look in your room. So, it is always a better idea to opt for a company that provides in-house installation.

● Not abiding by local codes There are specific codes for installation as well as how to use fireplaces in homes in most of the municipalities and areas. Do not ignore such guidelines and also the safety instructions that are provided by the manufacturer. These codes are for your safety. So irrespective of what type of fireplace you are opting to make sure you are following proper local guidelines provided by the government.

CHAPTER 3: CONCLUSION Adding a modern fireplace in your home can completely change the whole look and feel of your existing room décor.

Fireplaces are more likely to be the center of attention of your room that not only gives you warmth, a cozy place to sit and relax but can also bring a significant impact on your guests.

This is an amenity that does not only save energy but also a must for every home especially if you are based in a country that goes through some of the coldest winters.