subject: The Old World Charm Of Fireplaces [print this page] Depending on the age and location of your home, you may already have a fireplace. Since they were used to burn coal and wood for warmth, many old fireplaces are still around. On blustery days you probably want to keep a hearth warm for your loved ones, but the older fireplaces may not be as energy efficient or safe as today's newer models.
Newer construction allows for inset gas fires that tap directly into their own line from your home. Gas lit fireplaces only need natural gas, and you do not have to go out and chop wood and stock the wood pile or wood shed for the winter. Gas fireplaces are also safer because you can cut the gas vent off with a flick of the power switch and no crackle of the wood will send a spark onto your living room rug. You don't need to stand by to tend or stoke the fire or even have water ready to put out small fires that used to start without warning. Inset gas fires are just that safe.
There are many different kinds of fireplaces out there that utilize the inset gas fires. A popular design is the "two in one" model which is built into a wall but has clear access from one room through to the next. The fire then can be enjoyed for its warmth and beauty in two adjoining rooms! These are very stylish and classy and can often be seen in upscale restaurants and more modern homes.
Other types of fireplaces are throwbacks to the wood stoves of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. While these can burn on propane gas, they can also burn on corn husk pellets or wood too for added charm to your cottage or home. Whatever options you are looking for, every one of these can add warmth while conserving energy and money every month during the colder seasons.
Hole in the wall gas fires have the modern chic design in mind. Chrome and glass come together in decorative and functional wall art creating a non-tradtional center piece for gatherings. For added convenience, they come in all sizes to fit all widths and heights of walls; some models are even energy efficient for the eco-conscious homeowner.
If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your home, then you should also have a nice mantel to go with it. A fireplace becomes the centerpiece of any room that it is situated in, so it is important to have a nice mantel to frame it. There are no rules that dictate what your fireplace mantel can look like, so feel free to be creative. Basically, there are two major designs for mantels. The first desing hangs on the wall, or on the stone facade that your fireplace is created with. The other is a free standing mantel.
