Fireplace & Chimney

Human beings’ discovery of fire is a game changer because it enabled people to cook, stay warm, innovate hunting tools, protect themselves from predators or convene around it as a community. The importance of fire hasn’t changed until today. At home, people still retained fireplaces to stay warm and build memories as they sat around it.

Different Kinds of Fireplaces

There are two basic fireplace types: masonry fireplaces and factory-made fireplaces.

1. Masonry Fireplace

A masonry fireplace is made of bricks, stones, and different mortar materials. Its strength relies on the masons building it and the architect of the house. 

Advantages of Masonry Fireplace

• It is a more traditional type of fireplace, and many people still choose masonry fireplace because of its durability. Masonry fireplaces can last a lifetime, and they are also aesthetic. Its design of authentic stones and bricks brings warmth, literally and figuratively.  
• To ensure that your masonry fireplace will last long, it is important to keep the crown in good condition to ensure protection from water coming from the rain and snow. The refractory mortar is also something to check from time to time to ensure that fire is properly contained. Sweeping of accumulated soot is basic.
• Masonry fireplace is composed of a foundation, ash dump, hearth, firebox, damper, lintel, smoke shelf, smoke chamber, flue, and mortar crown. 

Disadvantages of Masonry Fireplace

• Because this kind of fireplace lasts a lifetime and its design is built-in together with the house, it will stay as is until you decide to reinvent your house as a whole. 

2. Factory-made Fireplace

Factory-made fireplaces became famous in the 1960s, and it is more commonly used in modern homes nowadays. Some variations of factory-made fireplaces a freestanding fireplaces, glass fireplaces, and steel fireplaces. 

Advantages of Factory-made Fireplace

• This type of fireplace is perfected, engineered, and tested inside a factory. Factory-made fireplaces are engineered to be readily installed anywhere in the house any time. Clear out a specific place in your house where you plan to install and, and it can be done quickly. Its design is also easily customized because different materials can be used. 

Disadvantages of Factory-made Fireplace

• One thing to remember about factory-made fireplaces is that models change every now and then. There is a wide range of designs, and these can be upgraded or phased out, so when repairs are needed, it may be difficult to find pieces for your fireplace. 
• A factory-made fireplace is composed of a hearth, fireplace, chimney, firestop, flashing, and chimney gap. 

 

Choosing between a Masonry Fireplace and a Factory-made Fireplace

Choosing which fireplace you’ll have in your future house really depends on your goal as a user. If you want a more traditional one that brings you back in time every time you light it, choose a masonry fireplace. If you want your home to look more modern, and you renovate periodically, choose factory-made fireplaces as they are easy to install and easy to remove.