My Links : - Cheap Fireplace Store Sleeper Bed - Campfire Cookware - Full Sleeper Sofa
See Also : - Cheap Fireplace Store - Campfire Cooking - Sleeper Bed
Image : http://www.flickr.com
Do you enjoy having friends and family over to hang out in your backyard? Do you miss those good times in the spring and fall when it is just a bit too chilly to spend the evening outdoors? By building an outdoor wood burning fireplace you can bring all the warmth and comfort of summer to any evening gathering. Building an outdoor fireplace is a lot easier than you might think. There are just a few tips you should follow when doing so.
First, make sure that the location you select is far enough away from your house as well as any trees in your yard. While the area will be somewhat protected by design, you do not want to take any chances of a gust of wind causing a fire by spreading ash.
So settle on your location and remove any brush and grass in the area. Smooth out the ground to prepare the surface for building. You will start by laying your pavers in the design you have chosen. This will serve as the foundation for the outdoor fireplace. Next you should pick up a 55 gallon drum or something similar for the fire. You can find a used one at a salvage yard if you are trying not to spend any additional money. If you go with a used or recycled option, make sure that the item has been cleaned thoroughly so that any toxic materials are removed.
Dig the pit to place the drum in. Once you have set the drum it is time to continue stacking your pavers around the drum. You can find complete outdoor fireplace plans in your local hardware store that will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Recommend : - Cheap Fireplace Store Sleeper Couches
Image : http://www.flickr.com
An open fire or wood burning stove can make an attractive central feature to your home. Many designs are available in both classic and contemporary styles, suiting homes both old and new. However, many people overlook the importance of using the correct type of fuel and good fire building practices. If you have an open fire or wood stove, the following advice will help you build efficient smoke-free fires every time.
The best fuel for a real fire is hard wood which has been allowed to dry. Kiln-dried logs make excellent fuel, as does split hard wood which has dried out over a couple of years. Splitting a log lets the air get to the wood, enabling it to dry out. Avoid using whole logs, as these will contain moisture and will burn less efficiently whilst producing large amounts of smoke.
Only hard wood should be burnt. Soft wood, such as pine, contains a large quantity of resin and will only burn for a short period. If your fire has glass doors, soft wood will also blacken the glass extremely quickly, as well as blocking the chimney.
Avoid buying bags of firewood from supermarkets, smaller shops and garages. These logs usually haven't been properly dried and seasoned, and so will result in a room full of smoke. They can often contain a mixture of hard and soft wood too, which will produce a fire which quickly burns out.
Beware of using scrap wood that you may have laying around, as this can be unsafe. Whilst it may be tempting to burn wood from old fence panels and broken-down pieces of skirting-board, remember that these will have been treated with acidic chemicals. Not only will this cause a great deal of smoke, they will also damage the metal of the chimney and fire.
To obtain the best level of efficiency from your fire, simply follow these steps;
Use only hard wood as fuel. Hard wood includes Elm, Apple, Ash, Oak and Silver Birch
Do not use soft wood, or wood which has been treated with chemicals
Ensure the wood you burn is well-seasoned and has been split
Use clean newspaper and dry kindling or firelighters to start the fire
If using a wood stove, refuel sufficiently on the mound of charcoal on the base of the fire
When it is safe to do so, remove the ashes from the stove into a metal container which has a cover. You can then either store this outside or even spread the ashes on the garden.
One last issue to take into account is that the efficiency of your fire will depend on its type. Open fires are not very effective at heating rooms; They can burn through around six logs each night and achieve at best around 20% efficiency. A closed wood burning stove on the other hand can produce a great deal more heat, with efficiency rates of around 80-95%.
Recommend : - Cheap Fireplace Store Cheap Little Tikes Playhouse - Campfire Cooking -
Image : http://www.flickr.com
Having a fireplace is definitely a plus for people who live in colder temperatures. And, it can also be an aesthetic highlight in the homes of people who do not have colder temperatures but like the idea of having this addition to the home that induces warmth and family gatherings. There are many accessories that you can use with your fireplace to make it more efficient and friendly. Of course, the log holder is one such accessory, which adds to the appearance of the fireplace, giving the whole area a neater and cleaner look.
A fireplace log holder is used to store wood prior to it being placed in the fire. There are also fireplace carriers and baskets that serve a similar purpose to log holders. In many cases, the firewood holders, carriers and baskets are designed creatively to appeal to the aesthetic eye as well as the functional needs of consumers. Not to mention they safely store the wood until it is ready for use.
If you anticipate that you may be needing wood in a very short time from now, it is a very good idea to have firewood holders at home so you can have your supply of wood ready just when you need it. These holders come in a wide range of sizes, shapes and designs to conform to just about any fireplace you can think of. Bear in mind that some wood burning fireplaces actually require more wood than others, so you would need to get the type of holder that will provide enough wood for your particular fireplace.
Fireplace log holders also keep the wood safe from the ground, where they could potentially be exposed to becoming wet. And of course, once the logs become damp, they serve absolutely no purpose to the fire. The log basket also helps to keep insects and other pests away from the wood and protect it from rotting.
You can find a log carrier for firewood in various materials, including copper, wrought iron, leather and regular iron. It really just depends on what your needs are and what is attractive to you. And when you are not so interested in using your log holder for firewood, you can also simply use it to exhibit a bunch of long stemmed flowers. The firewood holder doubles quite well as a holder for flowers and can contribute to the overall attractiveness of the room in whichever way it is used.
Generally, you can get a log holder from $10 all the way up to $200, depending on the brand as well as the material and the size that you are looking for. And, one of the most popular brands available is Woodland Direct. The manufacturers have been able to create log holders in various designs to suit a wide range of clients.
A log holder is a perfect accompaniment to any fireplace because it allows and offers functionality as well as attractiveness. Consider investing in one if you have a wood-burning fireplace or if even you just want to give the impression or appearance of having one.
Friends Link : - Cheap Fireplace Store Little Tikes Swing Along Castle
Image : http://www.flickr.com
A wood burning fireplace insert may just be the answer to your family's quest for lower utility bills. Inserts are not cheap, but normally will be less expensive than the cost of regular utilities. Plus there is immediate benefit. Do the research and then you can make an informed decision about whether a fireplace insert is right for you and your family.
During the research phase, consider the following:
1. What is the present condition of your fireplace? Is the ventilation adequate? Can you see any cracks? If the fireplace is not sound structurally, now is the time to get it repaired. While you have a contractor repairing the fireplace, have them check around to see if there are any problems with the foundation in general.
2. Is the insert just for show or is it going to be put to good use? If the area you are trying to heat with the insert is not an area that is used anyway even if it were heated, don't bother with the extra expense. Close the door to that area of the home during the cold months. If an insert really would increase your usable space in your house and that space would actually be used, then it's time to really start to search for the best price on an insert.
3. Get a contractor to do the installation if you are not willing or able to learn how to do it yourself. The clearance area for ventilation is extremely important for proper installation. A correctly vented fireplace will not produce a health hazard. Each fireplace has its own unique characteristics which is why each installation of an insert is just a little bit different.
Sometimes, it is just a whole lot less aggravation to have the installation done by someone who does it for a living. Contractors know the different quirks and nuances because they see them every day. They know how to handle each unique installation. It will be cheaper in most cases to have a professional do it right the first time.
