Thursday, September 8, 2011

Create a stunning focal point for your home; ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


AS darker nights approach, our thoughts turn to pulling on the curtains and settling down in front of a cosy fire.


Liam Clough (pictured) at the new Leeds Road showroom and below examples of the stoves, fires and fireplaces now on displayHe said: "We take care of everything from start to finish with our team of experienced fire and fireplace installers.'' Liam, who has worked in the industry for a number of years before setting up on his own, says his priority is always to meet the specific needs of his customers.For a great choice of stoves, fires and fireplaces, it's well worth taking a look at the newly opened Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces in Leeds Road, Huddersfield."Whether you want a focal point, an efficient fireplace to heat your room, or a combination of both, Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces will aim to provide you with a solution,'' he said.If the focal point of your sitting room is in need of an update, now is a great time to take a look at fires and fireplaces and organise a date for installation before cooler days arrive in autumn and winter.Liam said: "At the moment stoves are really popular, mainly because they are multi-fuel and will burn coal or wood etc. Homeowners are buying them to save money as gas prices continue to rise.'' Products and services offered by Liam and his team also include repair and service of gas fires and stoves, repair of stone fireplaces, surveys, advice and consultation, fireguards and bespoke fireplaces.The Leeds Road showroom is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.The showroom is situated next to the Topps Tiles showroom and there is customer parking outside.Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces also stocks contemporary hole-in-the-wall fire designs.CAPTION(S):Opened by Liam Clough just over a month ago, the showroom is already attracting a lot of interest from local homeowners keen to find a new focal point for their home.A range of about 30 fires and stoves are always on display in the Leeds Road showroom along with a range of fireplaces in various designs using marble, wood, granite and limestone.Take a look at the website www.yorkshirestovesandfireplaces.

Liam Clough (pictured) at the new Leeds Road showroom and below examples of the stoves, fires and fireplaces now on display




Chimney Safety Institute of America Recommends These Simple Steps to Ensure Post-Irene Home Heating Safety


PLAINFIELD, Ind. -- Though the immediate threat of Hurricane Irene is past, millions of homeowners in the Northeast will deal with water and wind damage for weeks, if not months, to come. The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) offers these simple steps to help ensure safer home heating after the storm:


Chimney inspections and preventative chimney maintenance is best left to a qualified chimney professional, like a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep. Find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep and learn more about caring for your chimney and home heating system online at www.CSIA.org.The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.Replace Damaged Appliances: Any electrical wiring or fans associated with your fireplace or furnace’s operation must also be replaced if they have become water-logged. Just like your kitchen’s refrigerator and stove, your home heating appliances need to be inspected and potentially replaced, depending on the level of water damage.Replace Gas Logs: Fireplaces that are fitted to burn gas logs pose one of the most dangerous problems because small pieces of debris and/or damage to the gas control valve might not be obvious until the risk of blockage and rapid deterioration of the components become an issue.CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps have earned the chimney and venting industry's most respected credential by passing an intensive examination based on fire codes, clearances and standards for the construction and maintenance of chimney and venting systems. They are also well versed in the characteristics of fuels available for home heating such as wood, gas and oil. This knowledge allows them to expertly diagnose and solve chimney and venting problems.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to chimney and venting system safety. CSIA is committed to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon monoxide intrusion and other chimney-related hazards that result in the loss of lives and property. To achieve these goals, CSIA devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney and venting professionals and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction of chimney and venting system hazards.




Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Prepare for winter ahead of time


It is time to think about winter-proofing your home. Many supplies are less expensive in the off months. You will save more money if you implement changes before the cold strikes because changes work well to keep homes cool in warmer months, too.


They are just really huge pieces of polar fleece sewn into sheets. Anyone could easily make their own with a little elastic and a serger or sewing machine. But I think you would have to order the special extra-wide (usually 60 inches) polar fleece online because I have never seen it in a store. -- Vail, WashingtonThe first reader tip suggests another way to stay warm.Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage.com), a website that offers practical, money-saving strategies for everyday living. To send tips, comments or questions, write to Sara Noel, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, Mo., 64106, or email sara frugalvillage.com.Save time: When I need stuff from Sam's Club, I use the click- and-pull. You go to the website and just make a list of everything you need and order it. The store pulls it within 24 hours, and it is waiting on you when you get there! This saves me money because I don't walk through and see this or that thing that I just can't live without. -- Lorene, North CarolinaStay warm this winter: Polar fleece sheets will easily allow you to turn off the heat in your house at night. And you can find them at Costco, Walmart and Cabela's. I like the Cabela's ones as they are thicker, better quality polar fleece, but they are more expensive. I am one of those people who is always cold. I tend to wear socks to bed, and now I don't have to.A few examples include blocking drafts, adding insulation, installing a programmable thermostat, servicing your furnace and buying wood if you own a fireplace. Here are a few more ideas to prepare for winter: www.frugalvillage.com/2010/10/27/prepare-for- winter.Quick corn: I cook corn-on-the-cob in my microwave. Put it in a microwave dish and cover. One ear takes only 3 or 4 minutes unless it is frozen. It also is good when cooked in the shucks. When cooked in the microwave, you find out how sweet it is. Cooking it in water removes the taste. I also bake my potatoes in the microwave. Prick a few holes in the potatoes with a fork and grease them with butter or oil. -- Martha Y., emailThese are the best sheets ever! If you use them during the summer, they also help to keep you cool. -- Debbie, Minnesota

DIST. BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK FOR UFS




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Create a stunning focal point for your home; ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE


AS darker nights approach, our thoughts turn to pulling on the curtains and settling down in front of a cosy fire.


If the focal point of your sitting room is in need of an update, now is a great time to take a look at fires and fireplaces and organise a date for installation before cooler days arrive in autumn and winter.He said: "We take care of everything from start to finish with our team of experienced fire and fireplace installers.'' Liam, who has worked in the industry for a number of years before setting up on his own, says his priority is always to meet the specific needs of his customers."Whether you want a focal point, an efficient fireplace to heat your room, or a combination of both, Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces will aim to provide you with a solution,'' he said.You can always use a fireplace mantel to define whom we are just among the decorations that are acquire on it. No matter what you do with yours, it is guaranteed to set up the look as well as feel that you want. It is recommended that the do-it-yourselfer be experienced and not a novice. It is also effective to remember that not all fireplace mantels can be attached with screws and bolts. There are specific glues on the market that are made just for fireplaces. These are participating at any support store.For a great choice of stoves, fires and fireplaces, it's well worth taking a look at the newly opened Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces in Leeds Road, Huddersfield.A range of about 30 fires and stoves are always on display in the Leeds Road showroom along with a range of fireplaces in various designs using marble, wood, granite and limestone.CAPTION(S):The showroom is situated next to the Topps Tiles showroom and there is customer parking outside.Yorkshire Stoves & Fireplaces also stocks contemporary hole-in-the-wall fire designs.Many hang paintings above the fire place, when it comes to many cases a painting of a field on a warm summer day is hanging above the mantel with family photos when it plays a part in old-world frames on the mantel completes the warm cozy feeling of the room. For others, having new age d�cor is more the style that they want.There are many different odds and ends that you can do with a fireplace mantel. It all depends on the individual tastes of the homeowner. Fireplace mantels are to be found made of different materials as well as various methods. Many different cultures have contributed to fireplace mantels. Greek, Roman as well as even Italian are a few of the various methods to opt from.Liam said: "At the moment stoves are really popular, mainly because they are multi-fuel and will burn coal or wood etc. Homeowners are buying them to save money as gas prices continue to rise.'' Products and services offered by Liam and his team also include repair and service of gas fires and stoves, repair of stone fireplaces, surveys, advice and consultation, fireguards and bespoke fireplaces.Having a fireplace and mantel, the holidays can be an markedly joy time. This will make possible you to decorate according to the season, when it plays a part in fun innovative decorations as well as ideas. Of course, Christmas is the greatest enjoyment holiday to decorate your mantel. You can use lights and hang Christmas stockings, but for the mantel, you can lay out boughs of holly and seasonal flowers can add a joy festive seek to your room.

Liam Clough (pictured) at the new Leeds Road showroom and below examples of the stoves, fires and fireplaces now on display




Fireplace Mantels Basics


Think of a nice home when it plays a part in the winter time as well as you will find that a warm cozy living room with a fireplace is almost always included when it plays a part in the picture. A stone fireplace with the perfect mantel completes this lovely home picture almost every time. Once you think of what you need for the mantel, different people have different ideas.


co.uk for more information.Liam Clough (pictured) at the new Leeds Road showroom and below examples of the stoves, fires and fireplaces now on displayOpened by Liam Clough just over a month ago, the showroom is already attracting a lot of interest from local homeowners keen to find a new focal point for their home.One thing that may be a huge factor in deciding which fireplace is right for you will be the rates. Fireplace mantel are to be found extremely expensive. Stone and wood fireplace mantels embark on at here and there seven hundred dollars for just a bare, basic mantel. When you add when it comes to the details that you are looking for, it can result when it plays a part in a bill of several thousand dollars. There is an following to this enormous expense. There are fireplace mantel kits on the open market that make possible the do-it-yourselfer to acquire the fireplace mantel of their dreams. The kits advance at about two hundred as well as fifty dollars.For those who want a rustic look, stone and concrete fireplaces are also available. The superior expensive of all fireplace mantels is marble. This material adds a uniquely blunt appearance to any room. There are so many choices at this point for a fireplace mantel that actually making the choice will be difficult, as well as time consuming.

You can always use a fireplace mantel to define whom we are just among the decorations that are acquire on it. No matter what you do with yours, it is guaranteed to set up the look as well as feel that you want. It is recommended that the do-it-yourselfer be experienced and not a novice. It is also effective to remember that not all fireplace mantels can be attached with screws and bolts. There are specific glues on the market that are made just for fireplaces. These are participating at any support store.




Author: Daniel Roshard


Sunday, August 21, 2011

Owning the Perfect Electric Fireplace with Heater


Choosing an electric fireplace with heater can be a lot of fun, because there are a lot to choose from. But there are a few things you'll need to consider before you make that actual purchase. The first thing is always make sure you read all the warnings before plugging one in.


Wood-burning Fireplace InsertsStylishly and conveniently updating an older fireplace, gas fireplace inserts use decorative logs and gas jets to suffuse a room with radiant heat. These fireplace inserts can be fueled through your home�s natural gas line or a propane tank (which are also available in varying sizes from smaller propane tanks to large tanks stored underground). Choices abound when it comes to gas fireplace inserts, with options on everything from venting (vent-free, natural vent and direct vent fireplace inserts are available) to blaze preference. For instance, if a yellow flame hearkens back to the hearth of your childhood, a ceramic fiber log set will create luxurious radiant heat with a gorgeous glow and realistic flame. Not that particular? Try the less expensive concrete gas log set and get set for a comfortable haven of warmth.Choosing the Right Fireplace Insert

Keep in mind even though this is an electric fireplace with heater you should still be careful around it. Make sure you never have water lying around it and don't allow your children to play with it. Find out if your electric fireplace with heater turns itself off or if you need this option. You don't want to find out the hard way. Adding an electric fireplace with heater to your home doesn't mean large electric bills. It means adding warmth, fun, and beauty. Who knows, you may like them so much that you come back for a couple more if you really like them.




Author: Jon Malech


Fireplace Design - A Real Burning Issue


Mantlepiece and grate styles have altered but the basic structural elements of a fireplace have not radically changed for hundreds of years. The early combination of a large stone or brick opening with a chimney built over it evolved from the obvious fact that smoke rises, rather than from a scientific understanding of how a well-designed flue system works. Consequently early wood and later coal-burning fires were very inefficient and it was not until a certain Benjamin Thompson (also known as Count Rumford) produced his thesis on the principles of fireplace design in 1799 that smaller grates and improvements in the internal shape of the openings were introduced.


A hearth, constructed from non-combustible materials such as stone or tile-faced concrete, projects out into the room to protect the floor from falling ashes. In most old houses the hearth was set flush with the floor, although sometimes a superimposed one was used to raise the level. The space within the fireplace opening, known as the back hearth, is usually level with the hearth itself. A dog grate for burning wood or coal can be placed on this back hearth. However, by the mid-nineteenth century the mass produced cast-iron register grate which filled the opening, had become the fashion.What is a Fireplace Insert, Anyway?If you can, ask around and read as many reviews as you can about the electric fireplace with heater before going out and getting it. Don't just buy the first one you see, it might not be worth the money. If you have any questions, try asking a manager if they can help you. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking for. Do you want one that has a fire or one that is fake? If you live in a hot climate you can get one that looks like the real thing but doesn't send off heat. If you want an electric fireplace that doesn't have to have real flames, you can order a Dimplex fireplace. With a Dimplex fireplace you'll be able to buy that electric fireplace with heater and never have to actually burn a log. The Dimplex gives off a 3D version of a log burning fireplace while releasing heat through a heater.Fireplace inserts are steel or cast iron fireboxes that are fitted directly into your original fireplace. Fronted by self-cleaning safety glass, fireplace inserts draw and exhaust heat and fumes through the original chimney or via a pipe directly vented through an exterior wall. Fireplace inserts are safer and more efficient than traditional fireplaces because combustible air is drawn into the firebox through one pipe, and toxic fumes are vented back outside through another. The resulting heat is forced back into the room�sans toxic fumes�via vents in the front, creating a more efficient heating system.

Within this fireplace an open fire burning wood or coal is a cheerful sight, but if it is your only source of heat, as it was for centuries, this romantic image can soon fade especially if the fire does not burn properly. Getting a fire started and keeping it alight then becomes a challenge, if not a chore. For wood and coal fires to burn well a good supply of air is needed under the grate, as well as a means of escape for the hot gases and smoke. With the fuel safely contained within the fireplace opening on a grate, free circulation of air is possible and waste ash can fall through the grate so the fire is not stifled. If the chimney is inadequate or the flow of air is restricted the fire will not function effectively.




Author: Richard Banks