/* Scoped styling for the best-fireplace-blower-kits refresh (post ID 1942 only). */
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A wood or gas fireplace throws plenty of heat directly in front of it and not much anywhere else. Most of that...
Mantels can be attached using screws, anchors, glue, clamps- it basically depends whether your mantel has or doesn't have a surround
Standalone floating fireplace mantels (not attached to surrounds) may be attached to a wall with lag screws, or placed onto a backboard.
Mantels that are part of a complete surround for a fireplace can be screwed into...
No — a wood-only stove is not designed to burn coal safely, and the general guidance from stove manufacturers and chimney professionals is not to try it. The reason comes down to how each fuel needs air delivered, not just how hot it burns.
Why Wood Stoves and Coal Don't Mix
Coal needs a steady supply of combustion air from underneath...
Seasoned wood is firewood with a moisture content below 20%, which is the EPA standard (Source)
High moisture content means more firewood popping
Generally, seasoned wood costs $240-285 a cord, depending on the time of year
Experts recommend purchasing a moisture meter to test the firewood before you invest in a winter's worth
If you need to season...
The popping and crackling is usually produced by trapped water or sap that heats up until it becomes a gas.
The gas builds up pressure as it expands with the increasing heat until it eventually has enough force to break out through the wood and escape.
That's what causes the popping or crackling sound and sprays bits of...
Pellet stoves are not required to have a chimney but do require venting. They can be vented through a sidewall.
This gives you more control over the installation process and reduces installation costs.
Pellet stoves don't require a vertical exhaust vent and can be safely run on a horizontal exhaust because it has a forced exhaust system
They...
According to some DIY experts we consulted, you might need a chimney inspection (Source) to get an overview of the issue
One common reason: you might be missing a chimney capÂ
It can actually be quite difficult to eliminate all drafts from your wood fireplace- because depending on the type of chimney, if the chimney has a metal...
/* Scoped styling for the best-hearth-rugs refresh (post ID 1640 only). */
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body.postid-1640 table.vf-compare{width:100%;min-width:560px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;margin:0}
body.postid-1640 table.vf-compare th,body.postid-1640 table.vf-compare td{padding:10px 12px;border:1px solid #e6e6e6;text-align:left;vertical-align:top}
body.postid-1640 table.vf-compare thead th{background:#f7f7f7;font-weight:700}
body.postid-1640 table.vf-compare tbody tr:nth-child(even){background:#fafafa}
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A stray ember doesn't ask permission before it lands on your hardwood floor or carpet.
A hearth rug is the cheap insurance against...
A dirty thermocouple is one of the most common reasons a gas fireplace pilot won't stay lit — soot builds up on the probe over time, weakens the tiny electrical signal it produces, and eventually the safety valve reads that as "no flame" and shuts the gas off. Cleaning it is a straightforward maintenance task most people can do...
Painting your fireplace doors is a great way to update and freshen up your fireplace and breathe new life into an old fireplace.
(Check out how to update a 1970s stone fireplace!)
There are a lot of different options for painting fireplace doors.
You can paint them the same color as the rest of your fireplace, add a frame or molding to...