8 Great Fireplace Accessories

Fireplace accessories, do you really need them? Don't be fooled by the term. More than the aesthetic view, most fireplace accessories serve a specific purpose and make significant contributions. Imagine this. Fireplace accessories sure aid in boosting up the overall performance of your fireplace. But more than anything else, they keep you safe from potential hazards like chimney fires which, basing from statistics obtained from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, calculated about 25, 000 a year, claiming 30 lives and $126 million in property losses. Listed below are some of the most common accessories and fireplace ideas that you may like to blend into your own homes.

1. Chimney caps- For an accessory, they make such huge contributions. Chimney caps are responsible for preventing any fire-causing materials from flying straight into your roof (or your neighbors') which may be the cause of fire. Also, they keep cold air from flowing down your chimney leading to inefficient combustion and possible carbon monoxide poisoning, among other potential hazards.


2. Fireplace doors- basically ensure that what's in the fireplace stays inside the fireplace. These include hot coals, embers, smoke and ashes which occasionally spew out when the fire is crackling.


3. Fireplace inserts- Considered a great investment by home experts; a fireplace insert allows you to take advantage of the same amount of heat generated by your fireplace for a much lesser cost. An efficient insert can heat up a large portion of your room and will make it possible for you to save as much as 40% on energy cost. Also, with a fireplace insert, your fireplace requires less tending as it will now give you more time between the next reload. Although it doesn't come cheap, experts say you will be able to fee your investment returns within the next 4 years.


4. Chimney brushes- A dirty chimney liner/pipe attracts chimney fire. But sometimes making sure that your flue stays clean can be tricky. Investing in good and flexible chimney brushes is a good idea. They make cleaning your chimney liners/pipes much easier. This fireplace tool is just the thing you need to help you with the bends and difficult angles of your liners or twin wall flue systems.


5. Chimney pipe- This is one of the most important accessories that you can do well in investing in. Chimney pipes simply keep smoke, toxic gases and other fuel by-products from coming back into house. It basically vents them out into the air. Without it, a house or a building is prone to chimney fire. A chimney pipe or liner is now widely used for appliances powered by coal, wood (and sometimes gas) free standing fireplaces among others.


6. Tubular grate heaters have become popular accessories over the years simply because they significantly increase the burning efficiency of a fireplace and allow most of the heat generated to stay in the room rather than letting it escape out into the air. This is accomplished through a fan forced tubular metal heat exchanger which, when heated draws in cold air but pushes back warm air into your home.


7. Grates- Made of metal; they keep the wood, log or gas logs in place, making sure that they are burned efficiently. This not only ensures that combustion is managed effectively but also for safety purposes as the grates prevent embers or burned logs from rolling out, making this accessory a crucial part in the heating capabilities of both fireplaces and stoves.


8. Firewood racks- They make things easier for you as they hold the firewood just within your reach. You don't have to go outside every time you want to start a fire or need logs for your next reload.

A fireplace, a long-term investment, should always be guaranteed in perfect working condition. Fireplace accessories enable you to combine both functionality with decoration to spruce up your interiors and for safety purposes as well. However, when it comes to fireplace accessories, various things should be considered before purchasing any of them.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/6280356

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