Fireplaces, how to choose?

Cold? A fireplace is a good solution!

Since several years ago, fireplaces or wood burning stoves are used for cooking and heating, and it seems that over time, it will always be a winter trend, due to its aesthetic and functional duality.

Fireplaces differ from other heating appliances, because in addition to warming up, they prove to be important elements in decor and nice focus elements, which often make us forget about television!

The combustion process, through the dynamics of the flame is undoubtedly an attractive point that makes us spend hours looking at it. It's also a good excuse to gather friends and family in a cosy atmosphere.

There are many types of fireplaces, from the most traditional to the most daring, so it is very important to know their differences.

Image via altius

Traditional fireplaces (wood)

Traditional wood burning fireplaces are covered with non-flammable materials such as masonry or metal and can be made on site or bought ready-made. In both cases, it is necessary for a technician to make the extraction of smoke through the chimney.

It is true that they produce a lot of heat, but we cannot forget that there is a lot of dissipation, that we could even say that the efficiency in heat production is inversely proportional to its size.

They are hardly ecological, since the combustion of wood produces excess carbonates contributing to the degradation of the ozone layer.

Even with some disadvantages, the choice for this type of fireplaces has a strong traditional and romantic association ... It’s so easy to imagine an evening by the fireplace, looking at the fire and listening to wood crackling!

Image via remontkvartiri

Heat recuperators (wood)

Heat recuperators or wood burning stoves are more efficient than fireplaces in using heat, also working by wood combustion, but enclosing the heat, leading to less waste.

Heat recuperators or wood burning stoves reduce wood consumption and also reduce odours and smoke inside the house. These also allow channelling hot air to multiple compartments, working as central heating.

Gas fireplaces

The gas fireplaces intended to replace traditional wood combustion, avoiding the consumption of wood and therefore avoiding ashes and dirt.

With a single button press you can adjust the temperature steadily ... it can be very practical to use, especially appropriated to the bustle of contemporary life.

However, it should be noted that gas consumption costs are higher than traditional fireplaces.

Electric fireplaces

This type of fireplaces work as electric heaters, you simply press the button and the fireplace is on. It requires no chimney, and produces no smoke or odours, however it needs an outlet to be installed.

This fireplace has no combustion, and the visual effect of fire is given by ceramic logs imitating tree trunks or even by 3D images.

In this case, as the electric fireplace eliminates air moisture, it is advised to keep a container filled with water on site, which can be a good addition to the decoration.

Bioethanol fireplaces

Bioethanol fireplaces offer several appealing advantages.

They can be very clean, as they do not produce smoke or ashes, and are very effective in heating as they do not have chimney, so there is no heat loss.

One of its most important features is that these fireplaces are "environmentally friendly", by using a renewable energy source - ethanol (or alcohol).

If you choose this type of fireplace, note that ventilation is critical, so there must be air exchanges with other spaces or through a window.

Suspended fireplaces

Suspended fireplaces are extremely contemporary, either by design or technically. They are versatile in adapting to any space and they can definitely have a leading role in the decoration of your home!

Portable fireplaces

And what if you could take the fireplace with you anywhere you want to! To the living room, to the kitchen, to the bedroom and even into the bathroom while taking a relaxing bath, looking at the burning flames...

Today everything is possible with portable fireplaces that require no chimney and cause no odours or smoke.

Image via vertijet

Have you chosen yet?