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Masonry and Modular Masonry Fireplaces

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:16 GMT

Fireplaces have been around a long time!

If you are older than 40 years old, a masonry fireplace is probably the type of fireplace you remember from your childhood. A modular masonry fireplace has only been around for about 30 years. Both masonry fireplaces and precast modular masonry fireplaces can be built as vent free fire boxes.

A masonry fireplace is the most expensive type of fireplace you can build. It requires a special foundation and is very labor-intensive.

A precast modular masonry fireplace is the next most expensive product you can install.

Those cost considerations are why factory built fireplaces are, by far, the most widely installed type of fireplaces installed.

Let me explain the difference between a masonry and a modular masonry fireplace…a masonry fireplace is constructed of brick or stone. A better word for modular masonry fireplace is a precast fireplace. Modular masonry or precast fireplaces go together like Legos. They are usually cast from concrete which would contain a lightweight insulating material. At first look, both masonry fireplaces and precast fireplaces look the same when you are looking at the firebox.

A big difference between a brick chimney and a precast modular masonry chimney is that you cannot modify, in any way, a precast modular masonry fireplace. Although precast modular masonry fireplaces have proven to be pretty durable, if a component in the system besides the fire brick or siding material gets damaged, there is not a repair available.

Below we will expand a little bit about the two different masonry products. A masonry fireplace is allowed to be constructed of any standard brick or stone. A precast modular masonry fireplace uses components that are produced in a factory. You are not allowed to modify or change or repair any of the components. (Note: Precast modular masonry fireplaces sometimes are installed with factory built sheet steel chimney.)

The biggest advantage to a home owner of a masonry fireplace versus the precast fireplace is that a masonry fireplace can be modified, repaired and virtually any aftermarket insert from gas logs to inserts (wood, coal, gas and pellets) can be installed. All components of a standard brick or stone built masonry fireplace can be repaired or replaced. A masonry fireplace can be modified generation after generation versus a factory built fireplace. Think about it, most fireplaces are the only appliance in your home that are built in behind very expensive masonry and or stone. To replace a factory built fireplace which has a lifespan of around 30 to 35 years the entire facing of the fireplace usually has to be removed.

The most common problem that affects usability of both types of fireplaces is water penetration from rain. Although not required by code in most areas, all masonry structures should have a proper rain cap installed. Additionally, the crown/wash (flat top of the chimney where the flue liner passes through) of the chimney should be inspected annually if not completely covered.

In regards to a masonry fireplace… The quality of the Mason installing your fireplace is everything. We run into more issues with masonry fireplaces than any other type of fireplace due to improper construction techniques. The good news is, these problems can be repaired.

A regular brick mason, especially today, is not the person you want to build your fireplace. You want a fireplace mason. A fireplace is more than just a firebox with a hole on top. A fireplace mason is a very technical trade… imagine spending $30,000 for a fireplace that doesn't work!

It is getting harder and harder for us to recommend a masonry or modular masonry fireplace for new construction unless the customer wants to install a wood stove insert in that fireplace. You can get the same look nowadays by purchasing a factory built fireplace at a fraction of the cost and get the real firebrick look! And when that factory built fireplace wears out, you can replace it for less than you could have built the masonry fireplace in the first place.

Stay safe and warm.

Guess How Long a New Wood Stove Can Burn

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:14 GMT

30 Hours!

We beat them with technology again! The EPA has upped the ante on how clean wood stoves must burn. There are new stoves out there as of last year that will burn up to 30 hours!

Manufacturers have figured out how to build hybrid wood stoves. These are available as wood stoves or inserts. The way they work is to have two ways to burn the smoke. New wood stoves and inserts, the ones that have hybrid technology, burn mainly the smoke. The smoke first travels through secondary burn tubes within the stove. Then the remaining smoke is burned in the catalytic combustors. The effect is an extremely long burn time with virtually no visible smoke whatsoever coming out of your chimney system. These new wood stoves will burn approximately 33% less wood than a regular catalytic wood stove. If you are thinking of replacing your old wood stove you may burn

over 50% less wood.

Now the good news! The government likes these stoves so much you can get a tax credit!

The Hearth Patio Barbecue Association announced this in one of their recent newsletters.

"Beginning in 2023, consumers buying highly efficient wood or pellet stoves or larger residential biomass heating systems may be eligible to claim a 30% tax credit – capped at $2,000 annually – based on the full cost (purchase and installation) of the unit. The credit runs through December 31, 2032. The 10-year term and 30 percent credit have been big components of HPBA’s advocacy push of the Biomass Thermal Utilization (BTU) Act over many years."

Top Hat Chimney Sweep's is heavily involved with government affairs for our industry. We all want to see cleaner air and more efficient appliances. Jeff Simmons, the founder of Top Hat Chimney Sweeps, helped lobby for the tax credit. He was able to talk to Alabama's senators and congressman to lobby for this much needed legislation.

The tax credit covers only those stoves that are the most efficient. There are stoves that qualify that are freestanding as well as inserts. Most pellet stoves also qualify for the tax credit.

You do need to be careful when you choose one of these new stoves. Some manufacturers rushed to meet the new requirements and the stoves do not operate very well. There have been complaints of not being able to get the fire started and maintaining a fire. You do need to realize that these new stoves burn the smoke. Green wood will not work in any of these stoves. It's like pouring water in your gas tank. It's very hard to burn the gas vapors when they are full of moisture. Contrary to what our grandfather's said, new wood stoves burn longer with dryer wood.

Consider stopping by our retail showroom located at 1280 Financial Court, Auburn, Alabama 36830 to get an idea of the products available or just schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can contact us at www.tophatchimmeyalabama.com or call us at 334-750-5897.

The Hipster 20: Cool name for a cool stove

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:13 GMT

Hipster 20 Stove

Quality is guaranteed with every feature of the Hipster® 20 stove. The innovative TruHybrid® combustion system provides more heat from less wood. This wood burning stove complies with all current EPA requirements and is approved to be sold across the USA and Canada. The HIPSTER® 20 is one of the few wood burning stoves that qualifies for the US 25-C Tax Credit. It boasts a HHV efficiency of 79% with emissions of only 0.6 gram/hour!

The constant and steady heat from the HIPSTER® 20 is smoothly delivered without the peaks and valleys felt from a steel stove. This is due to the combination of cast iron and soapstone, both well known for the ability to absorb and slowly radiate heat for hours. In fact, burn times can be as high as 24 hours on a single load of wood! The HIPSTER® 20 firebox will take up to an 18” log. And, the ceramic glass stays remarkably clean thanks to the air-wash process. The stove is also backed up by an impressive limited lifetime warranty.

This is the perfect wood stove for the south. Being soapstone lined, the stove will give off a slow even heat and will not run you out of the room. Even on high it will burn for 8 hours. Of course, we will never need that in our neck of the woods.

Utility bills have gotten out of sight! My gas bill last month was over $500. I am contemplating on trying to convince my wife to now burn wood. We are exclusive dealers for this wood stove.

Please be sure to visit our showroom located at 1280 Financial Court in Auburn, Alabama. Or you can view this stove and others on our website . You can schedule online or you can call us at 334-749-3559. We can schedule a consultation in the comfort of your home!

High Efficiency wood Burning Fireplaces

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:11 GMT

If you have availability to free or close to free firewood, you're heating costs will be reduced around 80% to 95%

If you want to help the environment and you live in Alabama, burn the renewable resource known as cord wood. Did you know that when you burn wood in a wood stove it produces the same amount of carbon dioxide as it does when it rots in the forest?

And if you replace a tree for everyone you burn you are actually reducing the carbon footprint you have left on this earth.

I've been in the industry a long time. I have several friends that heat with wood that work at the EPA. Hard to believe? Not so, they know the facts. People that are concerned about air quality are concerned about particulates. Modern high efficiency wood burning fireplaces produce less than three grams of particulates an hour. They contain relatively new technology that allows the stove to burn smoke in addition to the cord wood. No visible smoke exits the chimney when the stove is up to temperature. The only thing you can see is a plume of water vapor.

Let me give you some facts about Alabama's forested lands:

This is an excerpt from the Alabama forestry's commission's " Forest Facts".

"Trees have always been a touchstone for Alabama's viability. The state has one of the most productive timberlands in the world.

Alabama's forest resources are a critical component as a subset of North America's production of wood products. Approximately 93% of Alabama timberland is owned by families, private individuals or companies."

They further state some forest facts:

Cleaning the air : private forest landowners are sequestering The emissions of 6 million cars annually driven on Alabama's roads
Growing oxygen: private forests produce enough oxygen for 214 million citizens to breathe each year
Forests to faucets: 60% of Alabama's surface water travels through private lands.
Safe drinking water: Alabama's residents get more than half of their public drinking water from Alabama private lands
Storing carbon: Alabama forests are estimated to have a 'sea' of stored carbon with a volume of approximately 1.16 BILLION metric tons.

I'm beginning to sound like a tree hugger… I am! But not in the way most folks think. We love our forests and our wildlife. We love our abundance of clean water and our freedoms. We either love to hunt or we love our loved ones who do hunt.

It is nice to know that one of the owners of our company, our CEO, Trent Simmons, is an owner of timberland himself. He feels like a steward for a major water tributary that runs through his property into one of Opelika Alabama's public drinking water tributaries.

Okay, enough about the virtues of burning cord wood.

Modern day high efficiency wood burning fireplaces are simply amazing!

Many of them can burn 12 to 24 hours without reloading wood. These new wood burning high efficiency fireplaces have a glass that is large and stays virtually clean.

Some of these high efficiency wood burning fireplaces have the ability to transfer heat to additional rooms besides the room in which they are installed.

We would suggest that you talk to a NFI Certified wood burning burning specialist about your next high efficiency or mid-efficiency wood burner. There is a big difference between a mid-efficiency fireplace and a high efficiency fireplace!

The biggest thing someone considering purchasing a high efficiency wood burning fireplace needs to know is that they will not operate as advertised with green wood. Remember… They burn mainly smoke. Much like an internal combustion engine, they gasify the wood. Imagine what your car would run like if it had a lot of water in the gas.

The old timers said it best "wood warms you twice… once when you harvest it and again when you burn it".

Stay safe and warm!

What is a High Efficiency Direct Vent Gas Fireplace?

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:09 GMT

It's actually a tested and listed wall furnace!

Imagine a gas fireplace that can heat multiple rooms, is very efficient, can look like a wood burning appliance, does not have any odors and can provide the perfect amount of thermostatically controlled heat…

It's called a direct vent fireplace. I love these things! As a seller of gas fireplaces, we just don't get any dissatisfied customers with this product. Please realize, we sell the best of the best. They are extremely realistic.

The vent system is ingenious! It uses venting that both supplies the fireplace with air for combustion of the fire and exhaust for the flue gases. No possibility of odors or carbon monoxide! Another great option for a NetZero home or a tightly constructed home.

If there is a downside, a customer without any previous knowledge of the product would think it's too expensive. To the customer who bit the bullet and purchased a good one, they are the happy campers!

These products have so much versatility. They can be purchased with the look of a standard wood burning fireplace, look like a linear wood burning fireplace or can be set up with modern looking interiors and media (glass, stones, and more).

This is a perfect product for the Southeast if you purchase a model that has a way to dump heat. What do I mean by dump heat? Well, like I said earlier, these things are heating machines. They are tested and listed to the wall furnace standard. People like them so much they want to run them all the time. Many of our units, offer a way to dump the heat to an an unheated area in your house, like the garage. You can even purchase units that allow the heat to flow to two adjacent rooms with optional heat distribution systems. The units can distribute heat to a room above, below or adjacent to the room it is installed.

Other options available are interior lighting. They can be used as night lights or you can operate the unit with the lights on to highlight the interiors of the fireplace. Multiple different looking log sets are available. The fireplaces are available with a madrid of interior liners. The inside walls of the fireplace can look like brick, ledgestone, simple black, a tile look and even reflective sidewalls and back panel to give the illusion of even more flame!

Most of these units are set up thermostatically so that they can be used as intended…A primary heat source within the house.

The utility companies suggest that you zone heat. In other words, why run the central heat when, during the day you are in the common living areas. Why not just heat the daytime living area and let your central system heat the rest of the house at night.

If you invest in one of the better units. The unit will heat power or not. They will come with a battery backup to power the burner. Granted, the fan on the system will not operate during a power outage but these fireplaces do not use glass in front of the logs or modern media. They use a product called pyroglass or ceramic glass. This type of glass does not stop any of the heat.

Remember to consider this product as an option for new construction, remodeling or if you live in an area with inconsistent power.

Stay safe and warm!

My Fireplace: I Think it's an Insert

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:07 GMT

Call it what you like!

The fact is, what is pictured above, if it has any black metal showing and no fixed glass or heavy cast/steel doors, is what we call, as professionals, an open wood burning or vent free factory built fireplace. It could be wood burning or have gas logs in it. It could even have bifold glass doors.

Our terminology for an insert is an additional appliance, not including gas logs, that is inserted into an open wood burning fireplace. This is where things can get confusing.

There are several types of factory built fireplaces that cannot have inserts installed. They are vent free gas fireplaces, direct vent gas fireplaces, high efficiency fireplaces with fixed doors and b-vent gas fireplaces.

To make more sense of fireplaces you cannot install and insert into, you need to know that some fireplaces have dedicated interiors, like integrated gas burners. These cannot be removed. The entire system would have to be replaced if you wanted to change use.

Types of inserts are; high efficiency wood burning inserts, direct vent gas inserts, b-vent gas inserts, vent free gas inserts and biofuel (pellet) inserts. All of them are "inserted into an operational wood burning fireplace".

Fireplace inserts (wood or gas) are typically installed in fireplaces that no longer serve their intended function or a fireplace that a customer wants to make more efficient.

Updating and inefficient fireplace with a wood or gas insert can be a huge upgrade to your home.

If I have confused you, you're not alone. There are so many things available that it is always a good idea to have your fireplace professionally inspected by someone that is certified by the National Fireplace Institute as a Fireplace Design Specialist .

At Top Hat Chimney Sweeps we have our Certified Chimney Sweeps also certified as NFI Design Specialists. We can help you decide what type of fireplace, gas logs or fireplace insert is best for your needs.

Feel free to browse our web site, visit our retail outlet at 1280 Financial Court in Auburn Alabama or call us at 334-749-3559.

Stay safe and warm!

Is a Fireplace Candelabra Right For You?

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:06 GMT

You may not have thought about it!

There are a few reasons why you may want to purchase a fireplace candelabra.

Maybe you've had your fireplace inspected recently and gotten the bad news it is not usable. A fireplace candelabra can be a great product to put in your fireplace when you get this terrible news and you cannot afford the repairs. There are many styles of candelabras available that look great inside and unusable fireplace

Keep in mind, that it may be a good idea to repair that fireplace when it comes to resale of the house. Look at the excerpt below:

"Return on Investment

A homeowner can often recover over 100 percent of the expenses associated with adding a fireplace upon selling their home. According to the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, adding a fireplace to home can increase the resale value of the home by as much as 6-12 percent."

Another reason to put a candelabra in your fireplace is when the fireplace is not being used to burn wood. Think about it… You can add warmth to your home even in the summer without the heat. A candelabra is a beautiful addition to the fireplace during the warmer months.

As a chimney and fireplace professional, the last thing I ever want to hear is I hate fireplaces. But guess what… a few people have bad memories about fireplaces. They just don't want them or want to use them. When they purchased the house, it happened to have a fireplace. They didn't purchase the home for the fireplace. They just liked the house. The key to making a candelabra look good in your fireplace, just to paint the firebox the color of your choice and install a stunning candelabra. It won't matter that you don't like fireplaces!

Stay safe and warm.

Factory Built Wood Burning Fireplaces

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:04 GMT

Is this fireplace for you?

Factory built wood burning fireplaces first came on the market in the 1970s. The cost of a masonry chimney had gotten extremely expensive.

Since no one knew how they would perform in the long term, they were built like tanks… at least for a few years.

Today's factory built wood burning fireplaces are available in a wide range of sizes and interior looks. From this point on in this I will refer to it as a prefab. A prefab can range in fireplace opening size from 30" to 50" and are available in a wide range of fireplace heights.

Unless you have a custom home or purchased your fireplace from a specialty fireplace retailer, you probably have what is called a builder model prefab fireplace.

You may ask… what is the difference between a builder model prefab fireplace and a specialty prefab fireplace?

Builder model prefab fireplaces typically have a actual opening that is about 4 in less in total than the black part of the fireplace that shows behind your surrounding material. In other words, many 36-in fireplaces have an actual opening of around 32 in. Also, builder model fireplaces usually do not have much height to them. Most of them have a height opening around 14 ½"to 19". The interior brick panels will usually be a whitish color. Also the quality of the damper assembly, grate, screen mesh, brick panels and thickness of sheet metal are just enough to pass the UL tests for safety. You can expect a builder model fireplace to last less time than a specialty prefab fireplace.

In contrast to a builder model prefab, a specialty prefab will feature an opening that is true to the name of the fireplace. They will have a true 36-50 in opening. The height of the fireplace will be dramatically higher than a builder model fireplace. This alone makes the fireplace look much more realistic. A typical brick chimney fireplace will have a height around 28 to 30 in tall. Specialty prefabs also usually have higher quality components and a choice of brick panels. Many times you can choose from standard stacked brick, herringbone brick or a colored fire brick. The grate will be of much better quality than a builder model fireplace and will last much longer. A larger specialty fireplace is always a good choice (36" to 42").

Factory built fireplaces are very affordable versus a true masonry or modular masonry fireplace. For instance, today the standard brick fireplace chimney will cost around $30,000.00. It will require digging down into the Earth two to five feet for a proper foundation. They are very heavy structures.

Prefabs, both builder model and specialty units, do not require special foundations typically. This can change if you choose a real stone or brick profile on the fireplace. Not including the surround, installation of a factory built fireplace will cost around $10,000 to $18,000.

Both types of fireplaces are increasing in price at a rate that I have never seen before. Price increases are currently rising about every 90-180 days.

When choosing a prefab fireplace here are a few things you need to consider:

How often will you use your fireplace?
Are you going to burn wood or a gas appliance?
Is the fireplace a focal point of the home?
Do you want a small or large fireplace?
How long will you be living in the home?

We almost always suggest that when building a home, if it is within your budget, to purchase a specialty fireplace. As mentioned above, they are built better. If you think you will not use your fireplace much, a builder model fireplace is extremely affordable.

Another thing to consider is if you plan on installing a gas product in your fireplace. Most builders as well as most people are not aware that some fireplaces are not allowed to have vent free gas logs installed in them. It will say in the fireplace manual and on the label that is attached to the fireplace what gas appliances can be installed in it. Many people find that after a year or so their fireplace is just not producing the amount of heat they would like. If you were fortunate enough to have installed a specialty prefab, you have many more choices on the different gas appliances that are available. As I mentioned before, builder model fireplaces have an actual opening size less than the size they were advertised at. Most builder model 36"the prefab fireplaces will only allow for an 18-in gas log set. Conversely, a specialty 36-in fireplace can usually handle a 24-in gas log set. Additionally, you may find over time that your fireplace is not producing the amount of heat that you would like and you could be averse to the odors from vent free or just not like the product. If you purchased a specialty 36 in prefab you can also install a direct vent gas insert inside your fireplace. Direct vent gas inserts are heating machines.

If the fireplace is going to be the focal point of your home, you definitely will want to select a specialty fireplace with a tall height. Some people want to make their fireplace look like a masonry fireplace with real fire brick inside the unit. There are several specialty prefab fireplaces that offer real brick panels for the inside of the fireplace. The only way that you can tell it is not a real masonry fireplace is by looking up the damper and seeing if it has a metal pipe.

Let me conclude by mentioning that both builder prefads and specialty prefabs are available in stainless steel for damp or high humidity areas. Unfortunately, in our area, many contractors install interior fireplaces on an outside patio, deck or balcony. This is a bad idea. In Alabama and Georgia we have very humid weather. Even if the patio, deck or balcony is covered, we recommend a stainless steel model for the fireplace. A standard fireplace will rust if placed out of a conditioned environment.

I hope this article helped you understand more about prefab fireplaces.

Stay safe and warm.

Electric Fireplace?

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:03 GMT

This is the fastest growing segment of the fireplace industry!

I've been in this business close to 40 years. I would have never suggested to a customer several years ago that an electric fireplace would be a good option for their home.

Things have changed! Electric fireplaces are no longer just light bulbs and colored foil reflecting light around the log set. Today's fireplaces are absolutely beautiful. Electric fireplaces are available in a standard rectangular format or linear. Some linear fireplaces can span an opening wider than 6 ft. As homes have gotten tighter and tighter, this is a great option to install if you don't want to mess with gas or wood. Matter of fact, wood or gas can be too much heat for a newer efficient home. The better electric fireplaces can be set up with either modern media such as glass, stones and geometric shapes. They can also be switched out very easily to a wood burning look thanks to the different colored LEDs that are available in the units.

They also provide additional heat to the room they are installed in. The better units will heat up to 2000 ft². They can be set up with a wall thermostat or a handheld remote that will allow the unit to operate with or without heat. You can also change the look of the flame.

If you are striving to install a NetZero home, this is an absolutely fantastic option. There is no chance for air infiltration anywhere around the fireplace. There's also no chance of spilling dangerous fumes.

Since we are talking about built-in electric fireplaces, It is important to choose a very well constructed fireplace. Don't try to save money by getting a cheap electric fireplace. Keep in mind, this thing will be framed in place. Very few appliances in your home are fixed in place. It needs to last a long time.

Look for a fireplace that contains both modern media (glass, stones, etc) as well as a wood burning look. The better electric fireplaces that we carry come with both media types so you can change the mood.

In a well-built modern home, extra heat is not necessary. But if you live in a household like mine, one of you is cold-natured and the other one is hot natured. This adds just the right amount of heat to the room for the person that feels cold all the time.

Compared to other fireplace options, they are one of the least expensive types of fireplaces, to install. And since most of the time, they are installed in new construction, the need for an electrician is not an added expense.

It's something to consider!

Dedicated Vent Free Fireplaces

fulfillment@aletheiadigital.com (Aletheia Digital Fulfillment) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 19:28:01 GMT

Dedicated vent free fireplace.

This is the least expensive option you can get for real flame and heat. It is great for a first-time home, apartment or people that move around. Most of these products, are available with a cabinet style mantle. This is great for people whose budget tight. The cabinet style mantle is usually available in several finishes and can be easily disassemble and move to another location.

There are several problems with this type of product. First of all, it is vent free or ventless. Nothing in the system can be changed out. You cannot change gas logs, you cannot change ignition options and you cannot change fuel types.

This is what we call an entry level product for people that do not have the income to buy a better option.

Stay safe and warm!