Sweetgum isn't a popular firewood, primarily because it is hard to split and it only produces moderate heat, at 20.6 million BTU's per cord
It also burns fast, produces lots of ash, can smell bad when burning and some say that before the logs get burning, there can be a lot of smoke
If you do have some...
Madone is an excellent firewood that burns really hot, provides stellar coal beds if you're burning overnight, and doesn't crackle or spit
It's great for indoor (and outdoor) fires and is as popular as maple and oak as firewood
It smells really good and if you properly dry it, it will burn for a really long time
It...
Boxelder wood is decent as firewood, though if you want it to last through the night, you'll need to mix it with other, longer-burning wood
This is a low to medium quality type of firewood- many people chop these trees down to eliminate the boxelder bug that can potentially invade your home
It's a difficult to split wood...
Cherry is a moderately good heat producer, but it's beloved because it's easy to split and dries quicker (seasons in 6-12 months) than your typical hardwood
So if you cut it in early spring and have it ready for your winter fuel needs
Cherry firewood produces 20 million BUTs per cord
It produces a pleasant aroma- so people...
No, willow is not good firewood because as a hardwood it doesn't produce a lot of heat and if it's not adequately seasoned it can produce plumes of dense smoke
It's preferred as outdoor fireplace firewood- the smoking and the poor heat quality mean you shouldn't be it in your fireplace or stove
As a light hardwood, it...
HGTV recommends a depth of 7 inches for most mantels and a 5-1/2 to 7-1/2 inches for thickness
This permits enough room to accommodate decorative objects like picture frames
Remember that the top and the sides of your mantel should also be the same depth
Check out these recommended dimensions from DIY With Christine:
 The fireplace mantel is a...
Hearth pads are essential safety elements for wood stoves
You'll want to figure out whether you need ember protection, thermal protection or both- your stove's manual will list the requirements (click here to learn more)
That doesn't mean they can't be DIY'd into gorgeous statement pieces that match your home's decor
Jump down to some hearth pad ideas...
Whether you're installing a fireplace from scratch, or adding a fireplace to an existing home, it's important to have the tools and accessories that will make your fireplace look and work its best.
Who doesn't like sitting next to a fireplace with a blanket and an interesting book? It's one of the best experiences one may ever have in the...
Generally, mesquite firewood will ignite around a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius, which is 572 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is hot-burning firewood, providing temperatures ranging from 800 to 950 degrees Celsius (which converts to 1472 to 1742 degrees Fahrenheit
Learn if mesquite is good firewood here
Most homes today use a standard heating system for providing warmth through the cold...
A chimney throat refers to a contracted opening between a fireplace and the chimney. This part allows for a seamless flow of smoke out of the flame box.
If you intend to build a safe smoke chamber, consult an expert to guide you.
Acquire the best but cheap materials for your chimney throat. You may go for brick...