firepatio

Remodeling Your Fireplace

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 16:10:06 GMT

Thinking about a fireplace remodel but not sure where to start? We are here to help! Get expert advice from fireplace replacement experts (US) to help you start and finish your project strong.

Every home remodeling project requires a leap of faith. From owning your design vision, to having confidence that the budget you’ve set aside will last to believing in the professional partner you’ve hired, trust is involved every step of the way.

When it comes to a fireplace remodel, you can trust that Heat & Glo’s factory-trained network of authorized dealers has the experience and know-how to make your dream fireplace a reality. Like any successful client-contractor relationship, communicating honestly and efficiently with your fireplace pro is key to a successful fireplace remodel.

We spoke with four fireplace replacement specialists from around the country, who collectively replace more than 1,000 fireplaces annually, to find out what they wish you knew before, during and after your project, to ensure your fireplace makeover goes smoothly.

1. Capture what you’re currently working with.
“Gather all the information you can on the fireplace you currently have [manufacturer, model or serial number]. Is it sealed or not? Is it a masonry fireplace or a bump-out? Does it use natural gas or liquid propane as fuel?”— Michelle Theriault, Superior Hearth, Spas & Leisure, Avon, Connecticut

“Take a couple pictures: One facing the fireplace and another facing away from the fireplace. The away-facing picture gives us an idea of the size of the room the fireplace is in. Proportion is important to the overall look and we never want to overheat a small space or put too small of a unit in a larger room.”— Marci & Mike Buckiso, The Fireplace & Patio Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

2. Get everyone on the same page by sharing your style.

“We love seeing examples of design styles you like, as well as photos of the other rooms in the home to understand the overall look and feel. If you’ve done other remodeling projects recently, we’d love to see photos of those as well!”—Elyse Rethlake, Fireside Hearth & Home, Roseville, Minnesota

“Many customers share their Pinterest and Instagram photos showing the overall look they’re going for which helps us focus on a solution faster.”— Marci & Mike Buckiso, The Fireplace & Patio Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

3. You can’t replace just the inside or the front.

“Many customers come in looking to just replace the insides or add a new front because that is the part that looks dated. Or the focus will be on updating the wall finishing or mantel, but they’ll leave the fireplace as-is because they don’t know how it can and should be replaced.” —Elyse Rethlake, Fireside Hearth & Home, Roseville, Minnesota

“People believe it’s just the part they physically see that needs to be removed, but often, everything comes out when replacing a fireplace, including the current finishing, sheetrock and even the mantel.”–Lavina Griffin, Complete Home Concepts, Riverside, Missouri

4. Fireplace replacements are a coordinated effort.

“A full replacement can involve a fireplace crew as well as a plumber, an electrician, a drywall contractor and a trim carpenter. To make it all seamless, we coordinate these trades for the customer, but it helps if the customer is flexible on providing access over several days to keep it all flowing smoothly.”— Marci & Mike Buckiso, The Fireplace & Patio Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

5. And while we can do a lot, we can’t do it all.

“With so many fireplaces now having TVs above them, some customers think we are also A/V people. We once had a customer run out and pick up a TV in the middle of a project and then ask our installer to hang it for them. We’re simply not qualified to do that kind of work.”— Marci & Mike Buckiso, The Fireplace & Patio Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

6. Get ready for an unbeatable ROI.

“I absolutely love the response once we complete a turnkey job. It is a total makeover for the home.” —Lavina Griffin, Complete Home Concepts, Riverside, Missouri

“Our replacement projects are usually in the $7,500-$15,000 range. When you think of it, it costs as much to build a garden shed and this project delivers so much more value to the home. Overall, a fireplace remodel is a bargain compared to kitchen or bath projects.”— Marci & Mike Buckiso, The Fireplace & Patio Place, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Ready to get started on your dream fireplace makeover? Request a quote today!

Congrats on your new fireplace

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 17:17:32 GMT

Here's what to do first

It looks great, it matches perfectly with your décor and yes, everyone is going to love it. But before you start spending cozy evenings curled up in front of your beautiful new gas fireplace or insert, you need to run a quick “burn-off” cycle.

Why do I need to do this?

Ben Englund is a senior product manager with Hearth & Home Technologies , the maker of Heat & Glo fireplaces. He explains that fireplaces, just like grills or ovens, are manufactured with paints and oils that need to be cured or baked off. “If you don’t run through this cycle before you begin regular use, you run the risk of unpleasant odors happening whenever you turn on the fireplace,” he says.

Step-by-step guide

Englund suggests starting by opening windows in the room where the fireplace is located, and perhaps opening some other windows on the same floor to create cross-ventilation. Turn on overhead ceiling fans or other ventilation if possible. “Certain products have a stronger smell than others, so you want to make sure you’ve got the air moving around before you start,” Englund says.
Turn your fireplace or insert on the “high” setting. If you begin to detect a strong odor or notice white smoke coming from the fireplace itself, don’t worry. “It’s not a leak or an exhaust issue; it’s truly coming from the surfaces of the fireplace,” Englund says.
After three hours, turn the unit off. Let it cool completely.
Once it’s cooled completely, turn the fireplace on again and run it on the “high” setting for an additional six to eight hours.
Time to enjoy a fire! “These steps ensure that you’ve gone through a complete cycle of heating up and cooling down, which allows the metals to contract and expand,” Englund says. “Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to go.”

On your “fire-versary”

After the first year of use, it’s recommended to clean the inside glass of your fireplace or gas insert. Contact The Fireplace and Patioplace, we can send someone out to check performance, clean the glass and confirm that everything is running correctly.

Love Outdoors

bruce@redlabmedia.com (Bruce Letterle) — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT

THE FIREPLACE THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY YOU LIVE OUTDOORS

THE BRAND-NEW COURTYARD IS THE PERFECT BLEND OF ARTISTRY AND FUNCTION AND EASY TO ENJOY AT THE FLIP OF A SWITCH.

If you really want to know about the best fireplaces available on the market, ask an industry professional what they have in their home. For Monica Turner, Hearth Expert and product manager for Outdoor Lifestyles, the new Courtyard model has not only caught her eye and captured her imagination, but it’s going to have a place in own outdoor living space this summer. “I love this fireplace so much that I’m installing it in my own backyard—I really must have it at my home,” she says. “It’s like having an outdoor getaway in your own backyard.”

While there are many options for outdoor fireplaces in the marketplace, Heat & Glo’s Courtyard provides a whole new level of “wow” factor. “The ultra-realism and the details are incredible,” Turner says. “It’s got an incredibly authentic wood-burning look, but, because it runs on gas, it can be started and stopped with the flip of a switch.” She notes that the IntelliFire™ Ignition System with wall switch constantly monitors ignition and ensures safe functioning.

AUTHENTIC BRICK, REALISTIC LOGS

Turner is enthusiastic about homeowner’s many options to make the Courtyard their own. “The brick finishes are stacked brickand herringbone, both of which look terrific,” she says. “That herringbone pattern is a trend we’re seeing more and more in interior design, so it’s great to be able to carry that through to the outdoor ‘rooms’ of a home as well.”

The logs are also something about which Turner is particularly proud. Log configurations include high-definition and standard options. The high-definition option includes an eight-piece campfire-like arrangement and logs inspired by black locust bark. The standard definition includes a five-piece log set with a poplar bark look. “The texture and styling make them look like actual wood burning logs,” Turner says.

Fans of a more modern look can swap the logs for contemporary crushed glass, available in five colors.

READY FOR THE OUTDOORS

Another impressive feature, Turner says, is the ease of placing a Courtyard—available in 36- and 42-inch widths—just about anywhere you’d like. “It can go on a deck, up against an exterior wall—there are so many options,” she says. And because it’s been put through Hearth & Home Technologies’ rugged reality testing, the Courtyard is proven to perform in the toughest weather conditions, including snow, ice and high winds. Rust resistant stainless steel construction also means this is an outdoor investment will look good for years to come.

“Customer feedback has been amazing so far,” Turner says. “They love the look of the fireplace, and they love the simplicity of it. It’s really the perfect blend of artistry and function.”

Courtyard At-A-Glance

Courtyard 36
Courtyard 42
Appliance Width: 47-3/4"
Appliance Height: 44"
Appliance Depth: 18"
Viewing Area: 42 x 30-3/4"
BTUs: 55,000
Estimated Hourly Operating Cost: $0.61
Recommended Maintenance: Annual

Ready to learn more about how the Courtyard fits into your outdoor living plans? Connect with us today !

Winston Quick Ship

bruce@redlabmedia.com (Bruce Letterle) — Tue, 20 Feb 2018 05:00:00 GMT

Winston has what you want fast! Need a dining set? Seating set? Need to fill up your patio for a party fast? Choose Winston Outdoor Furniture and their Quick Ship line.

http://www.winstonfurniture.com/quick-ship

Winston Quick Ship collections are shown in the frame finish and fabric that Winston stocks for immediate shipping. In addition, all deep seating cushion collections offer 5-6 Special Order fabrics for immediate shipping. Contact us for more information .