Fake Fireplaces
By Sam Wilhoit
If your home doesn't have a fireplace, you can still experience warmth and ambiance with a "fake fireplace."
Less expensive and installed without invasive and costly construction, gas fireplaces or their electric or gel-fueled counterparts are preferred by many homeowners for their convenience, portability and style. These portable fireplaces also can provide an instant, decorator touch with an assortment of mantels, tools and accessories to fit any personality. And because the image of a hearth and its fireplace tools conjures feelings of comfort and security, an artificial fireplace can transform your living room into a warm gathering space whether a fire is lit or not.
Gas, electric and gel fireplaces come in an array of "surrounds" (the wood, metal or marble enclosing the firebox) from unfinished pine to Italian marble and are available for every budget. Usually offered in "straight" or corner styles, most artificial fireplaces can be placed anywhere within a room. And with Brick-Anew's complete line of fireplace accessories, you'll not only have the tools necessary to manage your new artificial fireplace, you’ll pull together a total new look for your living room.
Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces come in two styles. Direct-vent gas fireplaces are vented through an outside wall, and vent-free or vent-less gas fireplaces require no venting at all. These fireplaces typically have ceramic "logs" that glow, and a real flame that's fueled by direct access to the home's gas line or via a hook-up to an outside tank. Gas fireplaces have one more advantage—they can be installed into an existing wood-burning fireplace, and offer convenient technology like a remote control, thermostat control, heatless setting and safety glass.
Electric Fireplaces
Electric fireplaces are convenient for their price and portability. Cheaper than gas fireplaces, homeowners can place them in any room where there’s an electrical outlet. They don't require venting, usually have logs that glow rather than flames, and are fueled just by plugging it in.It has advantages for the renter, too. With its easy portability, the electric fireplace is the perfect way to create the comfort of a hearth and mantel on a smaller scale to make a temporary living space feel like home.
Gel-Fueled Fireplaces
Gel-fueled fireplaces are a growing trend. Also called portable fireplaces or vent-less fireplaces, gel fireplaces are economical—many are available for less than $500. Gel fireplaces are fueled by small canisters of alcohol gel lit and placed behind the "logs". Also popular with renters for their small-scale heating, gel-fueled fireplaces are used primarily for ambience, and the canisters are available in a variety of scents to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Making a Fake Fireplace
The U.S. Fire Administration reported that only about 1/3 of the population actually uses fireplaces for heat, so it makes sense that many do-it-yourself web sites offer instructions for building a non-burning fireplace with simple hardware store items like pine lumber, wood glue and the like. Completely fake fireplaces that don’t burn anything can still warm up a room, especially if set with Brick-Anew's fireplace candelabras. And during the holidays, where else are you to hang stockings and holiday cards if not on a mantle?
A gas, electric or gel-fueled fireplace is one solution to providing instant warmth and ambience. At Brick-Anew, we understand how a fireplace can instantly transform a cold living room into a warm, inviting, family gathering space. After all, we’ve been in the business of bringing families together around beautifully renovated brick fireplaces for years. And if you’re thinking about purchasing an artificial fireplace, we can help pull your new look together with fireplace tools, screens or accessories.
By Sam Wilhoit of http://www.brick-anew.com/ provider of
fireplace glass doors. Brick-Anew has been a providor
of fireplace paint & accessories since 1997.