Fall is on its way, which for many means that it’s time to start thinking about setting up a fire in the fireplace. With a lot of choices out there – where do you start? Finding perfect fireplaces Australia can be daunting if you’re not sure of the different features and types. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources out there with information to help you find the perfect fireplace for your home.
What to look for in a fireplace
Here are the six things to look for in a fireplace:
- Is it firewood only? If so, you need a fireplace that can only accept wood as fuel. Otherwise, you’re going to have excess heat and smoke escaping through the chimney.
- Is there a damper on the flue? This will ensure that the fire won’t get too big or hot and that all of the smoke passes through the chimney.
- Are there no electrical components involved whatsoever? All of the heat from the fire will pass through the chimney. No flames, no venting systems, nothing that you don’t absolutely need for a fireplace should be involved in the design of this system.
- Are there no bars or screens to allow for access for maintenance and repair? So many people pick a fireplace without a single thought given to how they will fix it when it breaks down. A very large firebox makes it much easier to exit when you have to clean it or repair it. It’s much easier to reach the fire by standing outside of the fireplace and reaching for the pipe inside rather than trying to climb over a bar, say in an American fireplace.
- Where are the controls? This is one thing that people do get wrong with modern fireplaces Australia. The whole reason they’re so easy to use with remote control is that they’ve got everything built into them; all of the controls are right there on the front of the fireplace. They are not hidden behind the grates or behind some other obstruction in the way. The only time controls should be hidden if they’re going to be too difficult to reach and manipulate, especially if they’re under a grate that you can’t get at easily.
- What kind of chimney? This is also pretty easy to overlook in modern fireplaces Australia; but there are two things that you need to consider when choosing a fireplace for your home. First, will the chimney you have in your house be able to handle the amount of heat that is going to come out of your new fireplace? If it can’t take the heat, you’re going to need a larger chimney (or additional ones), and there’s really nothing that can be done about that. Second, what kind of chimney do you want? There are two different kinds of chimneys: traditional and vent-free.
Purchasing a fireplace is an important decision that affects the entire ambience of your home. You have to make sure you get as much out of your purchase as possible. Paying attention to the price and quality of the unit is important, but don’t forget about the installation price. If you’re looking for a cheap fireplace, look for one that comes with installation included.
