It’s cold, snowy, icy or rainy and raw outside. You’ve had a long day. You’re tired. You’re chilled. It’s right there, in front of the fireplace. Nothing beats a crackling fire and the comfort and warmth that envelopes you. That is, if you’re standing right by it! Leave the room, and you can feel the temperature drop! Most people use fireplaces as a backup or for aesthetics, meaning your primary…

It never fails: it’s a cold, dark day, and all you want is the warmth and comfort of a blazing fire. And all you get is frustration and a spark of flame that is quickly snuffed out! Sure, just turning a dial or pushing a button is easier, but nothing beats the heat of a fireplace or wood stove… That is, if you can get it going. Fear not, with a few tricks of the trade, you can skip the…

What fireplace is best for your home. With so many options out there for fireplaces, choosing the best one for your home can be difficult. The three main options that are out there are wood-burning, electric, and gas fireplaces. There are a lot of differences between them and the best option will depend on your specific need. With this in mind, below are the pros and cons of each option.…

Can you put a fireplace insert in an existing fireplace? Open-air, wood-burning fireplaces have been the traditional choice but they are far from perfect. While some enjoy having an actual log burning in the fireplace, gas and electric fireplace inserts can be more efficient on both energy and space. In addition to being more efficient, they are also safer as the flame is either contained…

The importance of smoke chamber parging. One important area of your fireplace that you may not think about very often is the smoke chamber. The smoke chamber sits just above the fireplace damper and is an open area where the fireplace first starts to channel smoke and other gases upward and out of the chimney. Just like any other part of the fireplace, it can become damaged and need…

How does a flue on a fireplace work? Your chimney is one of the most critical components of a Indianapolis home with a fireplace. While it’s not the most glamorous element of your home, it’s important to keep it in excellent condition. To be able to safely enjoy your fireplace, you must understand how your chimney works and how to best care for it.  Today, we’ll review the most important…

Is a damper and a fireplace flue the same thing? Having a fireplace is incredibly beneficial for the cold Indiana winters, but it also comes with a big responsibility. To keep your fireplace working and safe, you must perform the proper fireplace and chimney maintenance. Keeping track of all the different parts of your fireplace can get confusing for the typical Indianapolis homeowner.…