Community Chat

[jlkz]

@monicakm 

When we added on the new master suite, we included a gas fireplace to use in the winter months.  It was vented with a fan.

No problem other than after it was on for about 15 minutes we had to turn it off....as large as the room was, it became way too  hot !  It Is an attractive addition though with the large screen TV above it...and that rarely is watched as its more comfortable with the recliners and TV in the great room.

[bmorechick]

@monicakm 

@Kachina624 

Yeah something sure isn't right with it and it's been an issue since they built the house. Supposedly, someone came out and reinsulated around it but no difference.  It was a gas fireplace from the get go and it has a vent on the outside wall.  I think air blows through that vent so thats why she got the snap blanket around it.  I was sort of leery about the builder anyway but it's been 20 years that she's been in there so...

There are glass doors in front of it but they don't stop the draft.  

Like I said I'm not a fireplace person so I know nothing. Now a backyard fire pit yeah. We cut our own trees and stack wood for that and we love it. Hubs is the chainsaw master and I'm the wood hauler and stacker.  Now that's an all day workout 🪵🪚

[JeanLouiseFinch]

This is something I need to look into.  In the 34 yrs. we've lived in this house we've never bought firewood.  At first, we cut up all the trees that were cleared away to dig the foundation and build the house.  Over the years we've had others cut down here and there.  We still have a pile of firewood to use.  I love having a fire but it's time to make a change so DH doesn't have to haul logs up to the garage.  He's not getting any younger and I don't want anything to happen to him.  Maybe we'll burn what we can this year and use as much as possible.  Then do the modifications next summer. 

[Lucky Charm]

@jlkz  Do you know appoximately how much square footage your new master suite is?

We're doing a small addition and now I'm thinking this will be overkill.  The natural gas fireplace we were looking at puts out 33K BTUs.  Not sure if we can adjust....road trip to the fireplace people on Monday, just informed husband.

Thanks in advance.

[Coastalcarolina]

This is so interesting.  I was the exact opposite.  When we were deciding on our next home, I wanted specifically two things.  A freestanding soaking tub and a wood burning fireplace.

When we moved in, DH installed gas logs.  I was heartbroken that he was against a real fire.  But I listened to his concerns and agreed with him.  That being said....ours were ventless, but I hated the smell of them.  For several years we used them, and there was some soot that you could see on the mantle, so I knew it wasn't good for his breathing issues.

Now I have an electric fireplace insert with a heater.  ☺️ 
If I want to see a fireplace with wood burning,  I put one on my Tv from YouTube 😄

[Kachina624]

@Coastalcarolina. I bought my sister an electric insert as a house warming gift when she moved into her townhouse.  She loves it, and when I visit, I find it as warm and cozy as a real fire.  So much easier than either logs or gas.  Cheaper to operate too.

@monicakm. You might consider this for your bedroom.  Inserts can be used with or without heat.  Very intriguing to watch, just like a real fire.

[jlkz]

@Lucky Charm 

Master suite addition:  bedroom area is approx. 25 x 25 with 2 walk-in closets and master bath additional.

[jlkz]

@JeanLouiseFinch 

When we enlarged our enclosed back patio and created a great room, we installed a removable glass fireplace along the former outside stucco wall.  It was small and took firewood that would produce a compact fire that lasted about 30 minutes....just enough to warm the room up in the mornings.

Evenings were cozy and we kept the fire going for a while.  Then when spring arrived, we took the whole thing apart and stored it.  DH would put it together in the early fall.

All went well until one night I found that I couldn't bend down enough to tend the fire when a small piece of firewood tumbled down and almost out.  Scary....

At that point, I said this is the end of the glass fireplace:  it no longer is safe for us.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

Wow, @jlkz.  That had to be scary!

[jlkz]

@JeanLouiseFinch 

When the arthritis started in the knee cap area a while before, I was a little apprehensive about my future ability to deal with fire tending.  Then the following year it became apparent that bending to pick something up of the floor was getting more difficult for me: the fireplace could be dangerous.

Then one night as the fire did a normal "collapse" and needed attention, I couldn't get in position quick enough.  DH heard me and took over.  Over dinner that night we decided it was finally time to retire it and be safe.

We both miss the coziness of the room with the small fire roaring behind the glass, but the time had come.  Now when I look up at the slanted ceiling ( it's 15' high by the stucco wall ), the silver top part can still be seen as it goes through the roof.