Blog

Relaxing by a warm fire is one of the joys of the holiday season. It’s a centuries-old tradition that never seems to go out of style. But having an open fireplace can be dangerous. Hot embers from the crackling flames can fly out of the fireplace creating a fire hazard igniting nearby furniture, flooring, and […] Read more

Regular chimney cleaning is one of those chores that comes with ensuring the safe and efficient operation of wood-burning fireplaces and heating stoves. Chimney cleaning logs have been growing in popularity. While many homeowners use them, some mistakenly believe it is a substitute for manual chimney cleaning. Chimney cleaning logs, also known as creosote sweeping […] Read more

All chimney types do the same job of channeling combustion gases from solid-fuel fires to the out-of-doors, though several factors determine how efficiently a chimney works. The type of appliance you have primarily determines which type of chimney is required for your home. Although there are many more design options when it comes to chimneys, […] Read more

By official classification, there are three types of creosote. If you run a wood-burning heating appliance, you should be familiar with all three types, how they are formed, how they can be removed and the dangers they can present. Any time wood burns, creosote is produced. It’s a flammable byproduct of smoke that remains in […] Read more

The top of the chimney is not only the highest point of your home, but it’s also where smoke and gases are expelled from the flue. It’s also an accessible entrance for moisture, small critters and debris to find their way inside the chimney. That’s why experts recommend that homeowners install a chimney cap. The […] Read more

When it rains, it pours, as the old saying goes – and that’s great for the garden and the lawn, but not for your chimney. In fact, next to a chimney fire, water is a chimney’s worst enemy. When the summer storm season arrives, here’s how to protect your chimney. “New” damage may be old […] Read more

One of the most overlooked components of a home is one of the most significant: the chimney. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that since they only use the fireplace a few times per year that the chimney doesn’t need an annual inspection. This is simply not true. The primary function of a chimney is to expel […] Read more

When the weather is warm the deals are hot on new stoves, inserts, and fireplaces, including stylish new linear fireplaces. The tendency is for homeowners to put off preparation for winter until summer’s end, when things start picking up for the hearth industry. Spring and summer are the ideal times to get the best deals […] Read more

Few materials look as lovely when surrounding a fireplace as natural stone like granite, fieldstone, limestone and marble. There’s just something rustic and hardy about this material, yet the sense of elegance is unmistakable. The only problem with stone is that it tends to become sooty and gritty over time. Here are some expert tips to keep your natural stone fireplace looking great inside and out. […] Read more

Many homeowners are updating their fireplace with aesthetically pleasing glass doors. While a mesh screen or an open fireplace may make you feel closer to the action, they are neither safe nor efficient. They increase fuel consumption and increase the risk of fire or smoke damage. A blazing fireplace is like a brick oven with […] Read more