Tag Archives: price information

Introduction to Gas Fireplace Inserts

Posted by Mark on May 27, 2011 Comments Off

Gas fireplaces have increased considerably in popularity during recent years. Often-cited factors for this trend include the facts that they are much simpler to operate and to clean than traditional wood-burning fireplaces and that they are usually also much cheaper to operate. Different types of gas fireplaces are available on the market, mostly as pre-fabricated products for easy installation in the home: there are gas logs -simulated pieces of wood that include a gas burner-, free-standing gas fireplaces or heaters and finally gas fireplace inserts. The inserts are designed for installing the gas fireplace into an existing fireplace location, either within a building wall or attached to it (“zero clearance”). We will take a look at three relevant topics in turn: how does a gas fireplace insert work, what are the typical price tags attached and where to turn for specific gas insert products.

How do gas inserts work? As stated before, a gas fireplace insert is built into an existing fireplace cavity which was usually used before as a wood-burning fireplace. This conversion is for all practical purposes permanent: in order to use wood as fuel again, all gas fireplace parts would have to be removed – it is not possible to switch between wood and gas use within a single fireplace. The gas insert consists of simulated logs built into a metal housing which is closed in the front by glass doors, except for the case of ventless gas inserts. Most efficient gas fireplace inserts include a fan to create an air current which removes heat from the firebox. Another important point to consider is that the chimney of the existing wood fireplace needs to be relined with a vent approved for use with gas fireplaces. This could either be a direct vent, which both delivers the combustion air into the firebox and removes the exhaust air through a second pipe. Or it could be a natural draft vent, which uses room air for combustion and depends on the upward draft from the hot exhaust to create a continuous air flow through the fireplace. Ventless or vent-free fireplace inserts are also available. As their name implies, they do not require a chimney, but instead are basically an open fire within the room.

The centerpiece of the gas fireplace installation is the gas burner, which is either supplied with natural gas from an existing house installation or with bottled propane or natural gas. A major reason for converting an existing fireplace for gas use is the increased convenience in operation compared with a wood fireplace. Efficient gas fireplace inserts come equipped with several options for controlling the fire – among them thermostats, wall switches and remote controls.

What does a gas fireplace insert typically cost? While it is difficult to give a definitive answer due to the wide variety of available products, an average standard unit will sell in the range between $1000 and $4000, requiring another $1000 for professional installation. It is important to note that direct vent constructions are typically more expensive than naturally vented fireplaces, adding another $500 to the overall price. Gas fireplace inserts prices for ventless units are significantly cheaper, starting in the $500 range.

Three major manufacturers of gas fireplace inserts are Lennox Hearth Products, FPI Fireplace Products International, especially with their Regency product line and Napoleon Fireplaces. It is difficult to say which are the best gas fireplace inserts, as this decision really comes down to individual preferences.

To sum it all up, gas fireplace inserts are most likely the best choice for the owner of an existing wood fireplace who wants to enjoy the true “fireplace atmosphere” while experiencing the added comfort and reduced cost of a gas fireplace.

The Portable Outdoor Fireplace – Types and Characteristics

Posted by Mark on May 10, 2009 Comments Off

As described in the introductory article on the outdoor fireplace, a portable outdoor fireplace falls into one of three main categories: the chiminea, the portable fire pit and the simple fire ring. The main advantage of portable outdoor fireplaces compared with built-in ones is the increased flexibility in moving them to whatever location you want in your garden as well as their significantly lower price.

The chiminea is the most common type of portable outdoor fireplace in the U.S., while in Europe the portable fire pit is more prevalent. Chimineas are traditional Mexican ovens which were already in use centuries ago to provide heat and a place for cooking to their owners. They consist of a bowl-shaped firebox with an opening to one side and a long, narrow chimney on top. The bowl shape ensures a good air circulation within the firebox, while the long chimney helps to keep the smoke away from the people sitting around the outdoor fireplace. The construction results in heat being radiated out of the opening in the side in one direction only, which makes it ideal for warming up during cold nights. The main decision to make when selecting a chiminea is the material used for its construction. Chimineas are made either out of metal, mostly cast iron and aluminum or out of clay, often also described as ceramic or terracotta.

Both kinds of chimineas have their own distinctive advantages and disadvantages. A clay chiminea typically comes fully assembled and therefore requires no further work before startup. It is fairly heavy and somewhat difficult to move. Its main characteristic however is the brittleness of the clay, which causes it to break much more easily than its metal counterpart. The weak point is the bottom part of the firebox, which can develop cracks and even fall out after heavy use. Also, clay fireplaces must never be used while still wet, for example after being exposed to rain. Models offered on the market should therefore be carefully checked for manufacturing quality and durability. Due to their fragility, they are also fairly maintenance-intensive, as they should be protected from humidity and cleaned regularly. On the other hand, their main advantage compared with metal-made models is their ability to store heat better as well as keep the temperature on the outside much lower.

The cast iron and aluminum chiminea usually does need some simple assembly after delivery, however it is much more durable than clay models and requires less maintenance, apart from the necessary rust protection for iron ones. There are large variations in weight, with iron models being very heavy, while aluminum ones are easily transportable. Both types get very hot during operation.

The price tags for a chiminea starts at about $170 for clay models and $380 for cast metal-made ones.

A portable fire pit is most often made from iron or aluminum, however some clay models are also available. They most closely resemble traditional campfires and radiate their heat in all directions. While most models are built as solid units, some are a real collapsible, portable outdoor fireplace which can be folded up when not in use. Fire pits can be found starting from about $100 upwards.

Fire rings usually are used only to contain a fire which burns on an existing fire-proof surface. A large variety of models is available, however, most are unlikely to be used in a residential garden.

Built-in Outdoor Fireplace Designs

Posted by Mark on May 10, 2009 Comments Off

If you are looking for an outdoor fireplace which is closely integrated with the design and layout of your patio and garden while giving you the full flexibility of designing an individual solution, then a built-in outdoor fireplace design is likely to be the right solution.

The simplest option is a version of the fire pit which is integrated into the ground. These models are available in several varieties based on metal and stone-made bowls and can be purchased starting from about $500.

Most people looking for built-in outdoor fireplace designs are however thinking of an individual model designed to look very much like the more common indoor fireplace. These fireplaces need to be built on-site, which can be done in two ways: either as a completely individual do-it-yourself project or with the help of a pre-configured fireplace kit. These kits are available from several manufacturers and can be installed by yourself or by a local professional fireplace builder. Often, the manufacturers are happy to point you to available help in your area.

A large variety of options exists for a built-in outdoor fireplace. First of all, it can be either a freestanding construction or it can be attached to a wall or the house itself. Also, the choice of building materials is correspondingly large: The majority of these fireplaces is made from bricks and/or concrete, while the smoke chamber and the flue can be manufactured from metal, often aluminum or copper. Given the available options, the price range for these fireplaces is open-ended. A reasonable lower limit can be set at about $5,000. Fundamentally different from these options are the possible outdoor gas fireplace designs, which are very similar to the options for indoor gas fireplace inserts.

However, the outdoor fireplace designs not only concern location and material, the style of the fireplace is also very important, as it should reflect the style of the surrounding garden and house. Many outdoor brick fireplace designs such as English or Eastern brick are available. Outdoor stone fireplace designs like Old World Traditional are also very common. Yet, far more options are available, for example Southwestern Adobe, and are shown in many books on the subject. Common to all built-in fireplaces is their basic setup, which consists of a firebox, a smoke chamber and a flue. The only significant difference to indoor fireplaces is the missing damper, which is not needed for an outdoor construction.

One word of caution: if you decide to build an outdoor fireplace yourself, you should be aware of the fact that safety is of critical importance to avoid serious injuries or damage from fire during operation. This is especially true for any outdoor gas fireplace designs. It is also important to check for local regulations before starting such a project, as the rules for outside fireplaces vary significantly between different towns and regions. While an official permit is required only in some places, it is generally advisable to contact your local authorities beforehand.

In summary, make sure you have a clear understanding of the following topics before starting: location, material, style, fuel, use (grill or heating only), maximum costs and legal regulations. This will help you get the most out of your individual fireplace.