There is no doubt that in the last few years electric stoves have become much more popular, especially when compared to the old fake log electric fires which are much less realistic than the modern electric stove. In fact progressive technology has produced such authentic looking coals or logs, complete with glowing embers that many of these attractive stoves look almost exactly like a real fire.
Portable electric stoves can be placed just about anywhere where there is an electrical point and they are available for use in any season, whether cool days in high summer or freezing winter periods. They are easy to install and convenient to use as no chimney is required, no assembly is required, they are portable, easy to regulate for heat control, economical to run and above all they will enhance almost any room or living space. You can even use an electric stove in an outside office as a simple but elegant solution to getting additional warmth in an otherwise cold area.
Another place where the free standing electric stove can be used to great advantage is in a large period style conservatory where modern heaters could spoil the aesthetics of such a building. Imagine how a black cast iron ‘wood burner’ model would slip seamlessly between the potted palms and early spring bulbs creating a feel of past times but with guaranteed warmth and without the noxious fumes of an old fashioned paraffin heater. Continue Reading »
Never under estimate the importance of your fireplace in bad weather. Bad weather in this country can mean long wet and windy spells when, without proper heating, everything in the home feels damp and cold or, worse still when thick snow covers the ground and icy blasts growl down the chimney. It is during these depressing periods that we really need to be prepared but never more so than when there is a power cut.
Winter means bad weather conditions in most parts of the United Kingdom and bad weather can equate to a power failure for many people so this is the time, more than any other, that you need to be prepared to use your fireplace or woodstove to keep your home warm until your power is restored.
So what do you need to do to be prepared? Simple – be prepared well in advance; long before the weather rages and you lose your power. You should always be ready for it to happen for you can never tell precisely when the power will go down or when you will get it back. Continue Reading »
No matter how beautiful a fireplace is, it can soon lose its appeal if it houses a seriously smoky fire. We all know that terrible feeling of watering eyes and a sharp tickle at the back of the throat that can be induced by a smoke filled room. Any fireplace that allows smoke to escape into the room is very unpleasant and certainly a danger to health as smoke carries odorless but deadly carbon monoxide. Therefore dealing with the cause of your smoky fireplace and then finding the most efficient and cost effective solution to the problem is essential.
Smoke stains found above a fireplace can be seen as tangible proof as can soot stains. If you find soot stains inside your home they indicate air in your home has been exposed to dangerous fumes since soot and carbon monoxide are a natural byproduct of burning wood, gas, coal and oil – any carbon based fuel.
There are many reasons why you may have a smoky fire and one of the most obvious is the size of your fireplace. While large fireplaces can be an eye catching feature, it is essential that adequate care is taken over the planning and construction of something this big to ensure that it will always perform properly without causing a smoke problem. Continue Reading »
When setting up your perfect home you may want to include a beautiful fireplace but what if you don’t have enough room for a standard fireplace or worse still no chimney? Take heart, even in a tiny space you can still install a corner fireplace. In fact corner fireplaces are just perfect for homes without an existing fireplace or even a chimney and quite possible for rooms with less wall space or indeed any kind of space restrictions.
As it is rather unusual a corner fireplace can become a unique and welcoming feature to almost any room. Most corner fireplaces consist of a standard firebox and a mantel, installed at a diagonal; bear in mind though that the fireplace mantel may need to be modified to adapt to this design of fireplace.
Most people seem to prefer a traditional fireplace, regardless of whether it goes in a corner or the middle of the room and wood is usually the preferred burning material since it adds to the overall charm and charisma of this style of fireplace. However, this said, gas and electric are perfectly acceptable options, especially if you have a busy lifestyle or if there is no possible way to put in a chimney. Continue Reading »
In centuries past, long before the days of central heating, a bedroom’s only source of heat was some sort of open fire. Albeit a potential danger when left unguarded, especially near long night clothes, it was nevertheless an essential part of family life. For without a fire in the bedroom its occupants were doomed to be cold and damp; even risking their health and certainly their nocturnal comfort.
These days a bedroom fireplace can be installed to add some charm to your sleeping quarters. Fireplaces needn’t be confined to a family or living room and a beautifully designed fireplace can transform an otherwise dull or plain bedroom and give it a completely romantic facelift. There is something incredibly seductive about firelight!
If you decide to add a fireplace to your bedroom there are several things to take into account. First and foremost you will need to decide what type of fire you want. Do you want a real live fire or do you want a convincing fake fire? Continue Reading »