Fireplace Information Blog

Many homeowners who have never replaced their chimney liner are probably unaware if they even have one already. When a fireplace needs a new chimney liner, it's recommended you go with a stainless steel option because of its durability overtime. There are several benefits to installing a new chimney liner, the biggest of which is safety.

One of the biggest complaints about fireplaces from homeowners is that from time to time, an odor can be smelled coming from the chimney. Not only does this bad smell fill up your fireplace but also the rest of your house. Closing the windows and turning your AC on is often a solution most people opt for. However, without a doubt, that won't work. In fact, it makes the stench even worse!  For you to eliminate this smell, you will have to start at the source. For a fact, all chimneys produce a little odor that is unnoticeable due to the air that eliminates the odor on the top side of the stack, but when something smells out of place, here's what to do.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL

Hiring a professional is the easiest way to deal with the stench that comes from the fireplace. The professional will conduct an annual chimney cleaning and safety inspection. Of course, this isn’t the cheapest option, but it’s the most effective.

The cost of relining a chimney varies. Typically, the cost can be anything between $2,500 and $7,000. Ultimately the cost will be determined by the type of lining you would want to have installed. Knowing what lining is can help you understand the cost involved.

Types of Chimney Liners

Surprisingly, if you live in an old home, the chimney might not have a lining of any kind! For several decades, liners have been a constant requirement for operating fireplaces. This is attributed to the fact that they do a better job of channeling gases up through the chimney top. Houses that lack a liner will not be able to do this effectively. The liners also help in fire prevention by blocking heat from getting to materials that are combustible. The types of liners are:

Clay Tile Liners

The least costly

For generations, the fireplace has been the staple in many homes - especially around the holidays. Back in the day, the fireplace, or even just a simple fire pit, had a sense of community and safety around it, which still carries through today. The fireplace is that one part of the home where you all gather around and enjoy each other's company - of course, the kitchen is also good for that, but does anyone really talk while they're essentially inhaling the holiday feast? Probably not.

The warmth and comfort delivered by a wood burning stove is a comfort for many. Napoleon Wood Burning Stoves are the gold standard when it comes to bringing this technology into the 21^st century.

Napoleon Wood Burning Stoves – The Story

Founded in 1976 in Ontario, Canada, Napoleon designed their first wood burning stove and quickly became a leader in the market space, eventually branching out into gas stoves and other fireplace products.

Types of Napoleon Stoves

There are a number of types of napoleon wood burning stoves for heating your home. Beyond the obvious heating features supplied

One byproduct of wood burning fireplaces and stoves is the creation of a chemical compound called creosote. A fireplace or stove with even a modest accumulation of creosote can result in a highly dangerous chimney fire, which can burn at around 2,000 degrees, seriously endangering your home and any occupants.

Exactly What is Creosote?

Any wood burning fire produces byproducts of combustion, in short, the residue that is left over when the wood burns. Some of these include seemingly innocuous smoke water vapor, particles of wood and assorted minerals or other substances found in the wood.

The chimney is there to help expel

There is very little that is more disconcerting than noticing that your house is beginning to fill with smoke, and you have no idea why. What began as a roaring fire designed to keep you warm, has taken on a more ominous face. After securing your loved ones, your quest to find out what went wrong begins. Upon careful investigation, you come to the conclusion that your chimney damper isn’t operating efficiently. The good news is that this can be easily corrected.

What is a Chimney Damper?

You need to understand the role of a chimney damper to understand what it is supposed to do and how to help make that happen. Many confuse the chimney damper with the flue,

Winter is a time for scarves, warm boots, and toasty gloves. So making sure that your chimney is properly insulated makes sense right?

If you are preparing your home for the wonders that are a home winter fire, then taking the time to check your fireplace for proper insulation will not only guarantee a warm winter fire but also provide you with the confidence you deserve when burning an open fire.

Protect your Home and Your Passion for Fire

Your home's first defense in an unwanted disaster is the chimney liner. Liners are not just for decoration; they serve a real purpose. They are used to redirect unwanted fumes, smoke, and potential hazardous

Old man winter is just around the corner. Is your fireplace ready to get to work? If you own a fireplace and want to make sure your home gets the most out of the heat output, you must make sure your fireplace is properly prepped.

Inspect your Fireplace

The first step in any fire is to prep the area and make sure it is safe. Sweep the chimney out, check your chimney chase cover, update your fire alarms, and take the time to thoroughly go through your fireplace before winter. This will give you the best fire and maintain a safe environment.

Use a Chimney Sweep

Never underestimate the power of a broom. Well, in this case, a professional

Just like with any aspect of your home, chimney caps offer you a chance to express yourself.  The outside of your house can be just as beautiful as the inside with the right maintenance and the right choices, and just because your chimney cap is a functional and useful part of your house doesn’t mean that it can’t be stylish as well.  Coordinating the colors and styles of your roofing, chimney, chimney accessories, window accents, and more design aspects that go into decorating the outside of your home is exciting.  Here are some suggestions as to what your chimney cap can say about your home.

Traditional

If your home has a chimney to begin with, consider yourself lucky that you live in traditional enough a home that it has a fireplace.