While an unusual concept to grasp, these pieces are designed to fit in with your home decor. Available in a variety of finishes and styles, you can combine both form and function to maximize the space of your living room, den - even your bedroom! When working with limited space, it’s essential that you find furniture that serves double duty and these TV stand fireplaces are a perfect way to do that! Most models on the market today feature storage space for multimedia equipment and accessories, while some even have space for your DVDs, video games, CDs and other media. You can even purchase a corner TV stand with a fireplace insert to fit in a smaller or unconventionally shaped room. Way more attractive than a space heater, a fireplace TV stand is a stylish solution to watching TV wrapped in blankets.

In addition to these TV stands being ideal for smaller spaces, they are also eco-friendly! Electric fireplaces, in general are much safer on the environment than gas fireplaces. While they might not have the same charm as a wood burning fire place, they are safer and easier to maintain. Easy to install, you simply have to plug it into a standard 120-volt outlet and you’re good to go. The fireplace can be easily removed for cleaning and features an LED insert with special fire effects to make it feel even more like the real thing. Classic Flame prides itself on its vent free fireplaces, bringing that same technology to this line of TV stand fireplaces. Most feature an electric heater and blower as well as thermostatic and dimmer control. Some even allow you to turn off the heater and still use the fire for visual affect.

TV stands are designed, in part to eliminate clutter and organize your multimedia equipment. A fireplace TV stand does just that with the additional benefit of providing a source of heat that’s both clean and pleasing to the eye.

A variety of possible installation methods and ease of use are two factors leading to the increased popularity of gas fireplaces. Improvement in the appearance of the logs and flames has also played a part in the trend toward gas fireplaces. They also burn cleanly and allow for controlled heating of specific rooms.

Unlike masonry fireplaces, gas fireplaces can be installed in a number of different configurations. The standard gas fireplace is vented just like a bricks and mortar wood burning fireplace. However, gas fireplaces can also be installed with a direct vent system. A direct vent gas fireplace makes it possible to have a fireplace in a home without the need for a chimney. Gas fireplaces designed for direct venting are constructed with a metal firebox which allows them to release their exhaust through a wall vent rather than a chimney. Such units make it possible to have gas fireplaces in homes which previously were not suitable for any kind of fireplace.

Gas fireplaces have always had the advantage of not having to haul and store firewood. Options available on newly improved models have also made the starting mechanisms on gas fireplaces more dependable and easier to ignite. Many styles now come with thermostats as well which allow a homeowner to control individual room temperatures. By using a gas fireplace to heat a specific area and turning down the overall furnace, a homeowner may be able to significantly reduce his/her home heating bill.

All gas fireplaces are kinder to the environment than their wood burning counterparts. They produce less air pollution of all sorts and their exhaust is not as dense as the smoke produced by wood. A well vented, well maintained and well operated gas fireplace is also more energy efficient than a similar model that consumes wood.

In the past some thought that gas fireplaces did not have the same visual appeal and ambience as a wood burning fireplace. In recent years there have been significant improvements in these areas. The logs and flames in gas fireplaces have taken on a truly realistic cast even to the point of having embers. For those who crave the various scents emanating from a wood fire there are a wide variety of sprinkle on powders which produce appealing fragrances.

All in all, when considering fireplace options, many homeowners will find that gas fireplaces make the most sense. They can be integrated into a wider variety of home construction than fireplaces requiring chimneys. Gas fireplaces are also easier to operate and maintain. In addition, they produce fewer pollutants and in many cases are generate more heat. Finally, manufacturers of gas furnaces have answered previous complaints about the appearance of their products with a new generation of aesthetically pleasing products.

Real flames and easy set up are not the only benefits of a gel flame fireplace. It also scores high environmentally. Heat efficiency is another hallmark of the gel flame fireplace. To top it all off, a gel flame fireplace compares favorably in cost to electric fireplaces and generally costs much less than gas and wood burning fireplaces. Prices start as low as $400 and move upward to $1,500 or so. When coupled with the fact that a gel flame fireplace requires no professional installation or structure modification, these costs make for an appealing package.

The basis for a gel flame fireplace is a ceramic log placed in a steel support. This log assembly is then placed inside a flameproof firebox which in turn can be housed in a wide variety of beautiful fireplace designs. The fire in a gel flame fireplace is fueled by an alcohol based gel delivered in canisters. When the canisters are placed behind the ceramic log and lit, a clean, bright, popping flame appears.

Gel flame fireplaces do not have vents or chimneys. The heat of the flames is therefore entirely directed toward the room in which the gel flame fireplace sits. As a result, a gel flame fireplace achieves maximum heat efficiency unlike standard fireplaces in which much of the warmth flees up through the flue. Gel canisters burn for two and a half to three hours at an average cost of less than five dollars per container. For a truly hot fire up to three canisters at a time can be burned.

The housings in which the gel flame fireplace fireboxes are placed come in a wide variety of models. Corner units and gel flame fireplaces which duplicate traditional fireplace mantles are the most popular. Gel flame fireplaces which incorporate bookcases are another distinctive style as are brands emulating wood burning stoves. Accessories such as screens and curtains, hearth tools and candle stands are also available.

All in all, a gel flame fireplace represents an inviting middle ground between the synthetic fire of an electric fireplace and the costly, high maintenance fire of a gas or wood burning fireplace. While this novel take on the fireplace will never replace the more conventional hearth, it certainly can be an interesting alternative for some homeowners.

A safe fireplace screen incorporates several features. Although it would seem obvious, fireplace screens should be fireproof. A person should always check to make sure that the fireplace screen he/she can’t live without is also fire retardant. Many unique fireplace screens can be discovered at antique shops. If they can’t be fire treated, then fireplace screens bought in such places should be backed up with other screens or doors which protect against fire hazards.

Stability is another important feature for fireplace screens. They should stand up, not lean against the fireplace opening. The base of a fireplace screen needs to be wide enough to provide a firm and dependable anchor. Fireplace screens should also provide full coverage for the fireplace opening. If the fireplace screen is not going to sit flush against the opening then it should have sides which bend back to catch any errant sparks. Solid fireplace screens of treated wood or glass provide optimum coverage as do wire fireplace screens if the mesh is sufficiently fine.

Before going out to buy a fireplace screen, make specific measurements of the opening to be covered. Calculate the measurements to the nearest sixteenth and remember to measure not just the top and/or bottom but the widest portion of the opening as well. Pictures of the fireplace can also be helpful in deciding on a final purchase.

Another important but many times overlooked component of buying the proper fireplace screen is knowing what kind of fireplace the screen will protect. Fireplaces are generally masonry but they may also be constructed of prefabricated metal. A hands and knees inspection of the fireplace interior will yield the answer. The inside of a masonry fireplace will be brick. The inside of a prefab fireplace will consist of metal. A prefab interior may require special accessories including a special fireplace screen. If such is the case, take additional pictures of the fireplace interior and write down any identifying information such as a manufacturer name and model numbers.

Still, fireplace safety includes many practices other than having an effective fireplace screen. Keep the area around the fireplace free of debris and never place too many logs on the grate. The best fireplace screen may not be able to withstand a tumble of burning logs. Place a fire extinguisher close to the fireplace and store extra wood away from the fireplace itself. Never, never leave a burning fire unattended. Make sure the chimney is free of build up and have it inspected by a chimney cleaning professional at least once a year.

It is more convenient than a wood burning fireplace and provides fuel and cost efficiencies far beyond those of a traditional unit. The variety of ways in which a propane fireplace can be vented also make it suitable for homes which cannot accommodate a chimney.

Wood burning fireplaces require buying, hauling and carting massive quantities of wood over the course of a fire burning season. The fuel for propane fireplaces is delivered to the site by professionals. In addition, conventional fireplaces require kindling and other fire starters; even with these materials, starting a wood fire can be a time consuming and dirty process. A propane fireplace can be started with the flick of a switch.

While burning a standard fireplace produces smoke and ash. A propane fireplace burns cleaner both in the home and for the environment. Fires burned in wood burning fireplaces are difficult to extinguish and may not be fully out when a person is ready to leave the room. They also require clean up which can be both messy and unsafe. The fire in a propane fireplace goes out as soon as the fuel supply is turned off. The gas logs require no post fire cleaning. Long term maintenance of a propane fireplace is also less burdensome than that of a wood burning fireplace.

A wood burning fireplace necessitates a chimney. Propane fireplaces can use chimneys for their exhausts but they can also be direct vented. Direct venting allows a propane fireplace to be installed in virtually any type of construction. Use of a gas insert propane fireplace even allows for vent free set up.

Much of the heat from a wood burning fireplace is dissipated up the chimney. In fact, a conventional fireplace is a notoriously ineffective method of warming a home. Propane fireplaces are can be up to 99% heat efficient. A large top of the line propane fireplace generates up to 40,000 BTU. Properly operated and maintained a propane fireplace of this side can heat an entire home. In addition, the cost of propane versus wood as a fuel is considerably less.

Thus, any homeowner would be wise to consider installing a propane fireplace in his/her home over one which consumes wood. Propane fireplaces consume less fuel and burn more cleanly than their wood counterparts. The initial installation of a propane fireplace is easier as are ongoing cleaning and maintenance. Finally, a home can be more efficiently and more cheaply heated by a propane fireplace when compared to a wood burning fireplace.

If a room has just become a little tired or stale changing the mantel decorations might brighten it up and make the room sparkle again. However, changing the entire fireplace mantel is not as difficult as it might first appear.

Fireplace mantels with mirrors can also be radically changed just by removing the mirror. Conversely, adding a mirror to a fireplace mantel adds a dramatic touch. Mirrors are particularly effective when used in small rooms and tend to make the area seem larger. Installing tile above the fireplace mantel or as an inset to the mantel is another option that rejuvenates the area.

Refinishing a fireplace mantel can change the entire tone of a room. A moribund, lifeless room can be enlivened by lightening the finish of the fireplace mantel. Modern wood stripping products and one step dripless finishes make refinishing fireplace mantels much less of a chore than it used to be.

When a totally new look is the desired end result, it may be necessary to remove the old fireplace mantel and replace it with an entirely different unit. This decision can result in a room with an entirely new function. Ripping out stodgy, heavy, old fashioned fireplace mantels and substituting them with modern models can turn a ho-hum room into a family gathering place. Likewise, tearing out a low end standard design fireplace mantel and replacing it with a custom designed hearth can add thousands of dollars in value to a home.

While there are many excellent prefabricated fireplace mantels that can be purchased for reasonable prices, many homeowners are choosing to update their homes with one of kind fireplace mantels. Unusual fireplace mantels can be found in antique stores or at estate sales. Salvage yards are another good resource for unique fireplace mantels. Some homeowners are even opting to build their fireplace mantels themselves from scratch.

When seeking to revitalize their homes many people overlook the enormous lift that refurbishing their fireplace mantels may provide. Renovating a mantelpiece can be simple and cost effective. Done correctly, upgrading a fireplace mantel also adds marketability and worth to any home.

People have fireplaces for two primary purposes: Heat and enjoyment. However, a fireplace is actually a poor and expensive source of warmth. Fireplace inserts heat a room, even a house, much more effectively and much more economically. Some families, though, hold onto their fireplaces even in the face of low efficiency and high cost because of the atmosphere which a fireplace provides to a home. Fireplace inserts can supply the same ambiance as a fireplace with the added benefits of controllable heat and lower cost.

Fireplace inserts slide into the existing fireplace. The amount of modification required to the current structure depends upon the type of insert selected. Most fireplace inserts use gas, wood or wood pellets as their fuel. They may be vented or non-vented. In recent years, however, laws have mandated that all fireplace inserts which make actual use of the fireplace chimney are connected to the bottom of the flue. Once inserted, the unit will fill the entire opening of the original fireplace. Some fireplace inserts are designed to extend out onto the hearth. Glass doors on the fireplace insert allow for continued enjoyment of the flickering flames. Blowers in some models further enhance the heating capacity of fireplace inserts.

For those who have altogether tired of the work and expense of an open hearth, electric fireplace inserts are available. These self contained models provide thermostat controlled heat as well as realistic logs and flames. Because electric fireplace inserts require no vent and plug into standard electrical outlets they are oftentimes much less expensive to install than gas or wood fireplace inserts. Many are also equipped to provide a flame effect without heat for those nights when a fire is desired but the weather really doesn’t call for one.

Fireplace inserts can be excellent investments for those who wish to upgrade their current chimneys. They are cleaner, more easily maintained and cost less over the life of the home. Prudent people who own homes with fireplaces might consider making the smart jump to fireplace inserts.

Before the start of another cold season it might be wise to consider replacing that drafty, dirty, money sucking fireplace with an efficient, less polluting, cost effective fireplace insert. Most families use their fireplaces for warmth and a homey environment. A fireplace insert provides more heat at less cost as well as the appeal of a bustling fire.

A fireplace insert fits into the mouth of the current fireplace. It will be constructed of cast iron or steel. If the fireplace insert sits flush in the fireplace opening then the open space will be sealed off with a face plate. A fireplace insert can also hang out over the fireplace itself onto the actual hearth. This type of insert resembles a wood burning stove. Most varieties have glass doors which allow the homeowner to see the fire just as it would be in a fireplace.

Gas, wood or wood pellets supply the fireplace insert with fuel. Modifications to the current fireplace chimney will have to be made to comply with fire codes. Initially the exhaust from a fireplace insert was just dumped into the pre-existing chimney; since the nineties though safety standards have required that there be a connection between the fireplace insert and the chimney flue. The extent of the chimney alterations will depend upon the type of fireplace insert selected. Some fireplace inserts are vented, some are not. There are also units that operate with the flue closed and those which require that the flue be open.

Buying and installing a fireplace insert will run in the range of $1,200 to $3,000. The savings to a home’s utility bills will allow this sum to be easily recouped over the life of the insert. Those who want similar benefits at a lower price might consider an electric fireplace insert. Choosing either the more costly fireplace insert or a more economical electric fireplace insert will generate more heat and lower cost while still creating a welcoming ambiance.

Fireplace doors also serve an important safety function. In addition, they can increase a fireplace’s fuel efficiency.

Fireplace doors in conjunction with inner screens or curtains are among the most important lines of defense in fireplace safety for all types of fireplaces and even for fireplace inserts. Flying sparks are captured by fireplace doors. With wood burning fireplaces in the event that logs tumble off of the grate fireplace doors act as a break to keep the logs from rolling further into the room. Fireplace doors also suffocate a wood burning fire when it’s time to put the fire out.

In order for fireplace doors to function as safeguards and to decrease heat loss they must be properly installed. A handy homeowner can save $100 or more by making this a do it yourself project. However, if unsure that he/she has the know how it is best left to a professional. The cost savings on the fireplace door installation will soon be lost to the heating bill if the set-up is not done correctly. Off the shelf fireplace doors come in standard sizes which fit most standard fireplace openings. Fireplaces made of stone or other uneven building materials may require that their fireplace doors be custom fit.

Securely fit and properly used fireplace doors enhance both the safety and the energy efficiency of any fireplace or fireplace insert. Once a homeowner has ascertained that the chosen fireplace doors are both safe and conserve heat then they will be an acceptable purchase.

Fireplace doors in conjunction with inner screens or curtains are among the most important lines of defense in fireplace safety for all types of fireplaces and even for fireplace inserts. Flying sparks are captured by fireplace doors. With wood burning fireplaces in the event that logs tumble off of the grate fireplace doors act as a break to keep the logs from rolling further into the room. Fireplace doors also suffocate a wood burning fire when it’s time to put the fire out.

No matter what type of fireplace or fireplace insert a home has fireplace doors increase its energy efficiency. Properly positioned doors help to direct heat outward from wood burning and gas log units. Fireplace doors keep the heat inside fireplace inserts and thus make the units and the rooms they are heating warmer. At the end of the day or evening tightly closed fireplace doors keep accumulated room heat from escaping up the chimney. The fireplace doors should always be shut when no fire is burning. Even with the damper closed it is possible for interior heat to be lost via the vent.

In order for fireplace doors to function as safeguards and to decrease heat loss they must be properly installed. A handy homeowner can save $100 or more by making this a do it yourself project. However, if unsure that he/she has the know how it is best left to a professional. The cost savings on the fireplace door installation will soon be lost to the heating bill if the set-up is not done correctly. Off the shelf fireplace doors come in standard sizes which fit most standard fireplace openings. Fireplaces made of stone or other uneven building materials may require that their fireplace doors be custom fit.

Securely fit and properly used fireplace doors enhance both the safety and the energy efficiency of any fireplace or fireplace insert. Once a homeowner has ascertained that the chosen fireplace doors are both safe and conserve heat then they will be an acceptable purchase.

Outdoor fireplaces enhance a family’s enjoyment while they are living in their home. In addition, an outdoor fireplace increases both the marketability and the value of a house if the owner decides to sell it.

In recent years many people have bought small outdoor fireplaces which are sometimes referred to as chimeneas. These can be great fun and certainly extend the season for enjoying outside activities. Units such as these are easily maintained and stored, portable and relatively inexpensive. Apartment dwellers and homeowners with limited yard space will have many hours of pleasure from this type of outdoor fireplace. It is, however, the larger, permanent and more fully featured outdoor fireplaces which add to a property’s worth as a piece of real estate.

Permanent outdoor fireplaces fall into two categories: Reflective and chimney style. Reflective outdoor fireplaces are designed in the style of ovens. They have no chimneys. The heat from a reflective outdoor fireplace is absorbed and then pushed outward. Chimney style outdoor fireplaces produce warmth in much the same way as indoor fireplaces. Each style has advantages and both types of outdoor fireplaces are available in a wide array of plans and materials.

Reflective outdoor fireplace enthusiasts insist that these oven like structures provide more consistently directed heat than chimney style outdoor fireplaces. They also provide a wide hearth which makes it possible for several people to sit comfortably within the direct line of the heat flow. Most models adapt easily to corner, wall and freestanding installation.

Currently the chimney style is probably the most prevalent outdoor fireplace. These outside hearths are constructed in a manner very similar to traditional interior fireplaces except that they do not require dampers. Many chimney style outdoor fireplaces are coupled with cooking and barbeque units which further elevates their functionality and pleasure quotient.

Both styles of permanent outdoor fireplaces begin at about $1,500 and go up from there. While these prices may at first seem steep homeowners should consider the many benefits which may be accrued from an outdoor fireplace. A well designed, well located outdoor fireplace virtually adds a seasonal room to the house. Not only does this allow the home’s occupants to enjoy an extended period of outdoor living, it also greatly increases the property’s market value.