Simple Way to Get More Heat from Your Fireplace

For some people, a fireplace might as well be a video of flaming logs. Their primary interest is the welcoming ambiance a fireplace's blaze presents. If, however, you expect your fireplace to provide heat in exchange for your log-carrying, fire-building efforts, (or in the case of gas logs, in exchange for your gas bill), it's time to maximize your fireplace's heat output.

There are various contraptions designed to return more of a wood or gas fireplace's heat into the room and stanch the flow of that precious heat from escaping up the chimney. Many of them involve fans and vents and considerable expense. But one of the most time-honored, hassle-free, and least expensive methods of increasing a fire's heat output is making a comeback: the fireback.

A fireback is a sheet of metal, sized in proportion to the fireplace, that's placed against your back fireplace wall. Firebacks can be set on the hearth's floor and just leaned against the back fireplace wall, but often they are secured by placing them in supporting braces which keep the fireback from sliding. Firebacks come in two main styles: the cast iron fireback and the stainless steel fireback.

The traditional cast iron fireback, popular in earlier times and making a revival now, is a sheet of heavy, black, cast iron. Often they are cast with a design, such as a fleur de lis or eagle, to add a decorative touch to this functional fireplace accessory.

The cast iron firebacks work on the same principle as heating radiators. The metal is heated (by hot water in the case of radiators and by the fire in the case of firebacks), and then that heat is radiated into the room.

Although attractive and functional, the cast-iron firebacks are too heavy for many people to manage easily. Their weight also adds to their shipping costs, and therefore to their total price.

A more modern fireback design, one that is growing in popularity, is made of a sheet of very gently curved, tempered stainless steel. These stainless steel firebacks warm your room in two ways. First, like the cast iron firebacks, they radiate the heat of the fire forward into the room. But they also reflect the heat, as well as the light, of the fire into the room.

Stainless steel firebacks weigh only one-sixth as much as a similarly sized cast iron fireback, so they are easier to manage and less costly to ship. But their main appeal may be their price: They cost only a fraction as much as their cast iron cousins. Whereas a cast iron fireback, depending on size, can cost $250 to $700, the stainless steel versions usually go for $50 to $150.

Both cast iron and stainless steel firebacks dramatically increase the room-warming capacity of your wood or gas fireplace fire. The addition of this simple fireplace accessory to your hearth can mean warmer toes and lower heating bills.

*****Susan Penney appreciates simple ways to make our homes renewing spaces for our families. She invites you to visit http://www.FireplaceMall.com for fireplace accessories to serve your fire-less or your fire-filled fireplace.

---

Work From Home and Make Money from On-line Rewards and Incentives Programs

You'll be amazed at how much free money you can... Read More

So Youve Decided to Finish Your Basement!

When a family decides to finish a basement space, there... Read More

Materials For Building Window Shutters

Shopping for window shutters can become confusing because of the... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Understanding Your Local Planning Officer - They are Only Human

This time of year often sees an explosion in new... Read More

Architect or Building Designer ? Who Do You Choose?

Thinking of building a new home or complex? Will you... Read More

Remedies for a Wet Basement

A wet basement can be just a nuisance or even... Read More

Sofa slipcovers - Give your home an instant makeover!

Sofa slipcovers are designed to be easy to fit over... Read More

Kitchen Remodeling Guide

A kitchen can make or ruin a family life. A... Read More

Where Did We Get Clocks From Anyway?

A clock is simply a device that measures time. Typical... Read More

Make your Sauna a Focal Point

A sauna has been used throughout history in every part... Read More

Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow!

A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even... Read More

What Does It Take To Be An Interior Designer?

When trying to decide if Interior Design is right for... Read More

Light Up Your Life With Feng Shui

Feng Shui (pronounced Foong Shway or Fung Shoy) is the... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Agricultural Plots of Land for Sale - The Latest Mug Punter Scam?

The first part of most years brings a flurry of... Read More

Understanding Air Purifiers

Purchasing an air purifier can be confusing, and you do... Read More

Garage Doors

You may think choosing garage doors is straight forward, however... Read More

Duct Cleaning - Proper Principals and Practices

As a qualified duct cleaning contractor I have discovered that... Read More

New Trends in Design & Comfortable Living

For the past several years I have seen the emergence... Read More

Ceiling Fans ? That Dont Require The Ceiling

The trend in remodeling homes is to expand the outdoor... Read More

A Place For Everything And Everything In Its Place

Tax season is over...The spring holidays have passed... Hopefully by... Read More

Top Tips When Planning a Conservatory or Sunroom

General advice.Negotiate fairly with suppliers. Don't expect to get all... Read More

Things to Consider when Buying a Hot Tub or Jacuzzi Tub

We recently purchased a new Hot Tub and Gazebo from... Read More

Remodeling Your Home: How Much Is Too Much?

The classic way for homeowners to increase the value of... Read More

Kitchen Remodel - How to Survive

You have decided to make the plunge and begin to... Read More

Hardwood Floor Care Will Keep Your Hardwood Looking Fantastic

Hardwood is still the homeowner's favorite choice of flooring and... Read More