Fires & Fireplaces

The increasing popularity of outdoor fire features, such as fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas, is extending the enjoyment of outdoor living spaces year-round. These additions are becoming integral to luxury home design and outdoor entertaining, allowing individuals to utilize their yards earlier in the spring and later into the fall. Tim Dewson of Dewson Construction Company notes that people are consistently seeking ways to enjoy their outdoor environments, and fire features provide an excellent incentive. Carol Christensen, a casual furniture buyer for Waterloo Gardens, observes that nearly all high-end hardscaping projects now incorporate a fire element. Gathering around a fire pit has evolved into a social event, facilitating casual drinks among adults and offering a fun activity like making s'mores for families. Traditionally, outdoor fireplaces were constructed from masonry. However, recent innovations include prefabricated stainless steel fireboxes, which serve as a durable base for both wood-burning and gas fireplaces, costing approximately $1,500. Homeowners can then customize the surround with materials such as stone, brick, or stucco. Another modern option is "crystal fire," a circular marble-top cocktail table that can transform into either a wine cooler or a natural/propane gas-fueled fire pit. This unit, priced around $1,500, features multi-colored glass that glows when lit, offering a visually stunning effect and versatility for outdoor comfort. Selecting an appropriate fire feature involves balancing aesthetics, practicality, and safety, often guided by local ordinances. The scale of the property and personal entertaining style are key considerations. Fireplaces emit significant heat and are ideal for creating outdoor rooms, while fire pits are more suited for communal activities like toasting marshmallows. Both can be equipped with cast-iron racks for cooking, though grease splatter can stain stonework. Dewson has designed free-standing fireplaces for elaborate outdoor rooms, complete with built-in seating, wood storage, and pergolas. These often match the home's existing stone or brick, with complementary or contrasting hardscaping. Zach Davis of Davis Young Associates highlights details like chimneypots that mirror the main house and raised hearths for better flame visibility and easier maintenance, as seen in a project combining a fieldstone fireplace with a bluestone patio. Less expensive alternatives include clay chimineas, typically under $500, which are portable and evoke a Southwestern aesthetic. However, they require logs to be cut to size and need to be stored indoors in cold weather to prevent cracking. Cast-iron chimineas are more durable but less mobile. Like fireplaces and fire pits, chimineas can also be gas-fueled, offering convenience and vent-free operation for both indoor and outdoor use. Safety is a critical concern, with wood-burning units requiring placement on stone surfaces, while gas units can be safely integrated into wood decks. Gas options eliminate the need for log splitting, kindling, or ash shoveling, making them suitable for urban settings or areas with close neighbors, as they produce less smoke. While gas offers convenience, many still prefer wood-fueled fires for their primal appeal, crackle, and distinct smell. Flammable gel packs provide a third alternative, with the amount of gel depending on the unit's size. Professionally designed and installed masonry fire pits can cost upwards of $10,000, and comprehensive outdoor entertaining areas with fireplaces, pergolas, and patios can reach $50,000. More budget-friendly options are available from retailers like Target, offering models from $49 portable fireplaces to $600 stone tables with copper fire pit inserts. Home Depot sells a $3,400 stand-alone outdoor wood-burning fireplace convertible to gas. Crucial safety tips include never using wood-burning units in enclosed spaces due to carbon monoxide risk, insulating metal or clay chiminea bowls, building small initial fires in clay units, avoiding placement near flammable materials, and never burning chemically treated wood or using gasoline to start fires. Fires should never be left unattended, and units should not be moved for at least 24 hours after use due to retained heat. Always check local ordinances regarding outdoor fire units. #OutdoorLiving #Fireplaces #FirePits #Chimineas #HomeDesign #OutdoorEntertaining #Hardscaping #PatioDesign #LuxuryHomes

Adding a fireplace can enhance a home's ambiance and warmth, and various options exist to suit different budgets and needs. Before commencing installation, it is crucial to consult local building codes to understand specific requirements, such as minimum clearances for vent pipes and restrictions on fireplace emissions. Fireplaces are broadly categorized into direct-vent gas, wood-burning masonry, and zero-clearance (prefabricated) types. Direct-vent gas fireplaces offer the easiest installation process, as they can be mounted on any exterior wall and vent directly outdoors. The installation typically takes one to one and a half days. While these fireplaces do not provide the sensory experience of a wood fire, they deliver significant warmth and can be operated with a simple switch, making them convenient and low-maintenance. Regular maintenance is still essential to ensure safe operation. Wood-burning masonry fireplaces are the traditional option and generally the most expensive due to their complex construction. These require a chimney extending through the roof, which necessitates sufficient vertical space, potentially limiting placement options, particularly in two-story homes. The chimney typically requires a 12- to 14-inch enclosure, which can be integrated into a room corner or a spare closet. These fireplaces are built with brick or stone fireboxes and chimneys, often complemented by a wood mantel. Zero-clearance or factory-built fireplaces represent a more budget-friendly and simpler installation alternative. These lightweight, often linear units are designed for modern aesthetics and require less extensive construction work compared to masonry fireplaces. Their enclosures remain cool, allowing for installation in various locations, including directly over hardwood floors and close to existing walls. Zero-clearance fireplaces are versatile in fuel type, accommodating propane, natural gas, firewood, and pellet stoves. When deciding on a fireplace location, prioritizing frequently used rooms like the family or living room can maximize enjoyment. However, for heating efficiency, smaller, easy-to-heat spaces such as a primary bedroom or office might be more practical. Regardless of the chosen room, reinforcing floor joists is necessary to support the fireplace's weight. Critical considerations include the firebox dimensions, thickness, damper opening size, and the type of chimney and liner. Adherence to local building codes is paramount for all these specifications, as well as for maintaining minimum distances from combustible materials. Masonry fireplaces and their chimneys often require structural modifications to the house framing to handle the added weight. Installation costs vary significantly by type. A new metal prefabricated gas or wood-burning fireplace typically ranges from $1,900 to $5,600, excluding labor. Electric fireplaces are less expensive, costing between $100 and $2,200, plus labor. A masonry fireplace installed in an existing home with a 12-foot chimney can average $3,500 to $5,600. While electric fireplaces can be a DIY project, complex installations involving wood-burning fireplaces with chimneys or direct-vent gas fireplaces generally require professional expertise due to the intricacies of building chimneys and installing gas lines. #FireplaceInstallation #HomeImprovement #GasFireplaces #WoodBurningFireplaces #ZeroClearanceFireplaces #MasonryFireplaces #HomeRemodeling #BuildingCodes #HomeHeating

This article highlights numerous restaurants and cafes across Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania that offer the cozy ambiance of a fireplace, making them ideal destinations during colder months. The piece emphasizes the appeal of fireplaces as focal points in dining spaces, providing warmth, comfort, and a sense of homeliness, akin to a ski lodge experience. The BrewHaHa! coffee shops are featured prominently, with their locations in Greenville and Trolley Square known for impressive fireplaces. The Trolley Square location boasts a large fireplace with a stone chimney, designed using El Dorado's Crescent Peak Shadow Rock, which is celebrated for its textured appearance and craftsmanship. The owner, Alisa Lippincott Morkides, considers fireplaces the heart of a room and a key element in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for friends and family. Customers frequently gather around these fireplaces, with popular seating spots like the leather couch in the Wilmington BrewHaHa! even showing indentations from frequent use. While most BrewHaHa! fireplaces are gas-powered, Morkides expresses a desire for a wood-burning one in the future, despite fire code and maintenance challenges. The article also showcases historic establishments like the Dilworthtown Inn near West Chester, Pennsylvania, which has roaring fireplaces that enhance its colonial atmosphere and romantic ambiance. The inn, dating back to 1754, frequently uses images and videos of its fires on social media to attract patrons. The Well Coffeehouse and Marketplace in Hockessin stands out for having a wood-burning stove in its log cabin setting, surrounded by comfortable chairs and sofas. Several other restaurants are mentioned for their fireplace offerings. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill in Newark features two blazing fireplaces, one inside the main dining area and another on the outdoor patio, with the aroma of wood adding to the experience. Jessop's Tavern in Old Castle, an establishment with parts dating back to the 18th century, has a gas fireplace near the front door, offering a perfect spot to enjoy its "Olde English fare." Cantwell's Tavern in Odessa, housed in an 1822 Federal building, boasts six gas fireplaces, with customers often requesting fireside tables, especially in winter. The Lemon Leaf Cafe in Smyrna, formerly the Inn at Duck Creek, has five gas fireplaces across its six dining rooms, providing a historic and cozy setting. Heirloom in Lewes, located in a Victorian structure from 1899, retains its original fireplace. Further south, The Governor's Cafe in Dover, situated in a 19th-century structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, offers seating near its gas fireplace, providing a comfortable space for patrons to enjoy beverages. The Perfect Blend in Newark has two fireplaces, which owner Jeanne Kress notes are popular spots for customers. Harry's Savoy Grill in Brandywine Hundred, a fixture since 1988, has two fireplaces in its main dining area, including an 80-year-old original, with additional fireplaces added to patio rooms. Harry's Seafood Grill on the Wilmington Riverfront features a two-sided fireplace, warming both the main dining room and the bar area. Buckley's Tavern in Centreville, recognizing the popularity of its main dining room fireplace, added a second one in the bar area in 2006. Finally, the Back Burner in Hockessin includes a dedicated "fireplace room" with seating arrangements around the hearth. The article concludes with a list of additional establishments featuring fireplaces, encouraging readers to explore more options and to share their own favorite fireplace restaurants. The overall theme underscores the enduring appeal of fireplaces in creating inviting and comfortable dining experiences. #RestaurantFireplaces #CozyDining #DelawareRestaurants #PennsylvaniaRestaurants #WinterDining #BrewHaHa #HistoricInns #FireplaceDesign #DiningAtmosphere

HETAS has issued updated information regarding the essential practices for fixing stone fire surrounds, following incidents where surrounds detached from walls, causing significant risk and serious injury. This information was first published in RGE's August 2018 issue. The updated guidance aims to prevent such occurrences by detailing appropriate mechanical fixing methods. The technical committee responsible for the BS 1251 standard, which governs open fire components, revised the 1987 version in 2015 to include new requirements for mechanical fixing. These revisions ensure that fireplace surrounds can adequately support the load of items placed on the mantle and remain securely attached to the wall, even if accidentally pulled. Understanding the type of fire surround is crucial for correct installation, including proper positioning, materials, and fixings. There are three primary types of surrounds: slabbed, cut stone, and boxed section. Slabbed surrounds are single-component structures, usually made from materials like marble, stone, or ceramic tiles on a heat-insulated cement backing. They must have a minimum total thickness of 48mm, with at least 30mm of cement mix for stone and marble, and 40mm for ceramic tile. Cut stone surrounds are multiple-component structures typically made of stone, featuring two vertical legs supporting a horizontal lintel and mantle. Boxed section surrounds are also multiple-component structures, crafted from natural stone or marble, with compartments and a split back panel to accommodate thermal expansion. All types of surrounds should be manufactured in accordance with BS 1251 to allow for appropriate mechanical fixing to the building's structure. If there is uncertainty about a surround's compliance, installers should contact the manufacturer for clarification or seek advice from specialist organizations like Hetas or the Stone Federation of Great Britain. Fixings must be secured directly to the brickwork of the building, necessitating the removal of any plasterboard or other finishing materials to ensure proper bonding. The 'dot dab' adhesive method is explicitly prohibited for affixing surrounds. For slabbed surrounds, manufacturers typically integrate appropriate clip or eyelet-type fixings directly into the product. These usually involve two mechanical fixings on each side of the surround and two more within 300mm of the top, which can be either fixed or swivel types depending on the construction. Cut stone surrounds require more complex, heat-proof bracket fixings appropriate for the backing wall's construction. These must be fixed directly to the chimney breast wall or to another stone structure that is itself mechanically fixed to the breast wall. Manufacturer instructions are essential for specific details on location, type, and bedding joints. Boxed section surrounds incorporate fixing wires on each side, similar to slabbed surrounds, with uppermost fixings within 300mm of the top. The shelf at the top has its own fixing points to secure it to the chimney breast wall, and manufacturer instructions should always be followed, especially considering the size and weight of the shelf overhang. Fixing brackets are generally supplied by the surround manufacturer and are typically made of heat-proof stainless or galvanized steel designed to be fixed into the surround. A critical step before installation is assessing the condition of the chimney breast wall to confirm it can support the surround's weight. Key points for installers include ensuring compliance with BS 1251, referencing manufacturer instructions for fixing types, locations, methodology, and jointing/sealing compounds, and assessing wall and hearth structures for weight capacity. Finally, upon completion, installers must assess and inform occupants of any potential risks, particularly when children or infirm individuals are present. Additional guidance is available from hetas.co.uk and hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/fireplace-surrounds.htm. Hetas, a not-for-profit organization, offers a Competent Person Scheme for installers, registration for retailers, technicians, and chimney sweeps, and approves appliances and fuels. Further detailed guidance is available for download. #FireSurrounds #HETASTechnicalGuidance #HomeSafety #InstallationStandards #BuildingRegulations #MechanicalFixings #BS1251Standard