Your Television & Your Fireplace

    There is a battle going on for the focal point of your family room. Some families may prefer to gather around the fire and have some quality family time. Other groups may prefer to watch the NFL playoffs on the 50 inch flat screen. It is possible to have both a fireplace and a television in your living room, but is that a wise decision? Here are some points to consider for mounting your television above or near the fireplace.

    Space Considerations

    The first consideration is if this design hybrid will physically work in your home. Some large televisions are difficult to mount safely, and others may not be able to mount at all depending on size and the available wall space in your room.

    Design Considerations

    Even if you are not a certified home decorator, you or your significant other may have something to say about a giant television being shoe horned into a space it barely fits. Even though it is physically possible, it may not be aesthetically pleasing to have both a television and a fireplace in the same location.

    No Guarantees

    Televisions were not designed to operate in extreme conditions. The extra heat from your fireplace will vary based on fireplace size, type, ventilation, room size, and a number of other factors. However, it can be difficult to account for all of these factors and decide what environment is safest for your television. Also, many manufacturers will not cover a warranty claim if the device was kept in poor conditions like a above a fireplace that damaged the set. Keep that in mind for your television, and all electronics that are near the fireplace.

    Passing the Mantle

    If you have decided that you want your entertainment and heating needs met in the same area, there are some measures that can be taken to help keep your television safe. Having a mantle installed above the fireplace will help to block excess heat that may come from the fire. The mantle can serve as both a safety feature and a design update.

    Have it inspected

    If you are unsure that your fireplace area is safe for your television, have a licensed professional evaluate your situation and give you some design options. At Chicago Fireplace & Chimney, we have professionals who will help you decide which fireplace is the best for your home, and how you can design the rest of your family area. Good luck and thanks for reading!     

As the temperatures continue to decrease day after day, do you ever find yourself wishing you had a big, cozy fireplace to cuddle up next to? I know I do!  Although you may only think of fireplaces as huge brick or cement center pieces to rooms, there are many other designs than just this traditional design.  Some not so traditional designs could be used in your house to change the mood or comfort of the room.  Some interesting fireplace designs we liked are listed below!

This different type of fireplace is actually portable and can be used indoors or outdoors, by the use of an ethanol burner.  This rocket ship like fireplace would be perfect in a home with a more modern feel to it.  With the capabilities of movement, this fireplace can go wherever you want to go; if you need it inside for the winter but then want it to stay on the deck for the summer then you can! No restrictions here!

This scenic fireplace can look great in any urban home!  With an ethanol flame burning between the two plates of steel, this fireplace takes a turn on the traditional fireplace that we all might know of.  This scenic fireplace can aid in the imaginative mind or arsonist habits with the flame igniting light within the city scape.

While this fireplace isn’t as different in design as the others, it has a great new feature that can be used anywhere.  With using a smart phone as the remote, you can control the temperature and turn it on and off even if you are in a remote area; so, if you left your house and forgot to turn it off, problem solved, it’s all part of your phone now!  Along with this awesome smartphone feature, the elongated design produces a lot of heat.  The efficient design allows 90% of the heat to be pushed back into your house taking full advantage of the space it takes up.  This type of fireplace could be a great fit in any kind of home, especially if you are tech savvy. 

Although all of the mentioned fireplaces have been great, the traditional fireplace is always a safe and popular choice.  These fireplaces range in types, styles, and materials but are always a nice addition to any home.  It constantly makes the room feel warmer in look and feel. At Chicago Chimney we can service any type of fireplace and help with new fireplace construction and design. Thanks for reading and happy holidays!

Article written by Sam at DigitalParc

Make your fireplace the room’s focal point with the right colors, 

textures, and furnishings throughout the area. The proper room 

accents can draw attention to the fireplace so that it is the room’s 

primary showcase.

Choosing the right wall colors

When choosing wall paint, find the ideal background color palette 

for the fireplace. The surrounding walls must be neutral but 

dynamic in order to achieve slight contrast with the fireplace. 

Next, give the fireplace the chance to pop. Choose a different 

color for the wall supporting the fireplace. This allows the 

fireplace to be the room’s center point. An example for a gray 

stone fireplace would be to paint the surrounding walls a soft ivory 

and the wall behind the fireplace a dark, rich blue. This forces the 

fireplace to get noticed. 

Choosing the right furniture placement

Take advantage of the fireplace in the room. Set up the room 

with the right furniture to properly focus attention and create 

extra seating. The most functional technique is the U-shape 

grouping. Center the sofa across from the room’s center point to 

give the fireplace an anchoring effect. Next, finish the U-shape by 

mirroring chairs, ottomans, tables, or stools on both sides. This 

forces the room’s interest on your beautiful fireplace. 

Choosing the right window treatments

The natural light will only accentuate the fireplace. In order to 

achieve good natural light within a room, the proper window 

treatments are necessary. First, choose a drape color and pattern 

that will accent the stonework on the fireplace. Aim for the same 

theme or feel. Next, choose a blind color that is neutral and allows 

you to control the amount of light entering the room. This two-

toned look will not only accent the fireplace and its stonework, but 

also allow you to control the amount of light needed to highlight 

the center point fireplace. 

Choosing the right accessories 

A fireplace is in need of personality. The accessories you choose 

to embellish the focal point create the ambiance for the room. 

Think of your fireplace as an empty canvas. Add decorations that 

standout in color. Add pieces that emphasize the room’s theme. 

Add accessories that bring a personal touch to the fireplace. By 

drawing attention with interesting pictures, beautiful flowers, or 

antique ornaments the fireplace is allowed to be the room’s biggest 

statement.

If you have a fireplace at home then it is important to get it repaired and inspected regularly so that it functions effectively. For instance, if your room gets cold too fast or stays hot during the summer then you may have to get a fireplace damper replacement. It basically helps in closing the chimney flue when you are not using the fireplace. If it is damaged then the hot or cold air in your home can escape easily through the open chimney.

Apart from checking this you also need to see if the flue liner needs repair. If your chimney or the liner is damaged then you may need a new liner to get it work efficiently. It is an effective way by which you can take care of your damaged chimney without overspending on the repair work. You can install the liner by yourself also but it is better if you get it done through a good company they can do a better job.

You can contact a chimney installation company and they can inspect the chimney for you. If the damper is damaged then they can replace or repair the chimney damper for you. In case you need a new liner then they can help you to choose a good stainless steel flue liner, which has a better life. Make sure that the company you choose is professional, as they will provide you better services. They can take care of loose bricks and clean up the chimney as well so that it works efficiently.

With winter just around the corner, it's no surprise that we have been very busy!  We have been working with many clients to ensure their fireplaces will be top notch for the winter ahead.  During the month of October we kept busy with numerous projects in many different areas.

Earlier in October, we worked on a home in River Forest; we made a custom lining shaped to fit their chimeny making sure we maximized the size we were able to use.  Chimney linings are used to prevent degradation of chimney structure caused by moisture in the flue, water damage to interior house walls, or condensations leakage through chimney thimbles and cleanout doors, just to name a few.

Another couple projects we worked on were a chimney demolition in South Barrington and an installation of stainless steel lining Oak Park.  We tore the whole chimney apart in South Barrington and built it back up, upgrading it to ensure top quality for this winter.  The chimney lining in Oak Park was actually a whole chimney rebuild; we used the stainless steel lining to make sure the chimney wouldn't see any issues with water damage or degradation.  We also installed a stainless steel liner for their boiler and water heater for the same obvious reasons.

One of the bigger projects we had was working with chimney deterioration in Northern Chicago where it serves as the venting to the water heater and boiler for four units.  The deterioration was evident and it was clear that it needed a new liner to help ventilate the appliances and stop deterioration to the inner structure and exterior bricks on the chimney.

When it comes to Chimney cleaning, people generally appreciate professional chimney sweeps in Chicago. Professional chimney sweeps is performed without any trouble with specialized tools and doesn’t take much time. But, this is not all. Hiring professionals once or twice a year is not enough. As homeowners, one must know essentials of chimney cleaning. Given below is information on how to keep fireplace clean and when to clean.

1) It’s advisable that a chimney which is used four times should be cleaned at least once in a year.

2) The best time to request chimney cleaning tasks such cleaning fireplace brick, smoke, soot, ashes repair and maintenance is during summer months. Or else request for chimney sweeping during spring season as this will not allow dirt to settle and prevent staining during summer. Many homeowners neglect chimney cleaning for years which can cause fire hazard.

3) Your chimney cleaning service providers should be certified by Chimney Sweep Institute of America. CSIA has set standards across the industry with respect to chimney cleaning methods, repair and restoration.

4) While searching right service provider, get reference from your neighbors, friends and family. Homeowners can request for a direct feedback from the clients of prospective company. If the service provider refuses to provide any reference then switch to some other company

5) 5) Chimney cleaning is essential for any home, therefore never take a chance or neglect chimney cleaning. Moreover, never take a chance with company you aren’t confident about.

If you want information related to chimney sweeps in Chicago, then contact Chicago Chimney & Fireplace Co. at 708-358-0505.

Finding the Best Firewood for your Heating Needs

When it comes to using your fireplace. It is easy to become eager to start using it and burn whatever wood you can find lying around in the backyard. However, using the right fireplace fuel source is very important. The right type of fireplace wood allows you to create long lasting fires that will heat your home all winter long. All fireplace wood is not created equal. The two largest categories of firewood are seasoned or unseasoned. This commonly refers to both the age and moisture level of the wood.

Unseasoned wood could be thought of as coming right off the branch and into your home. This type of wood will burn, but there is an issue that will affect the quality of your fireplace experience. This type of wood has a lot of internal moisture. This can come from the sap and water that is still present within the wood. Using this type of wood will usually create a shorter burning and lower temperature fire.

Seasoned wood is wood that has been cut, and stacked with an emphasis on air flow. This allows the wood to become completely dried. Ideally, wood should have a gray look, and be almost bone white on the inside. This means that the wood is completely dry and will burn very effectively. It is important to note that this drying process is not quick. Wood should be dried for at least one year. Because of that, when buying firewood, you should be looking to buy a year ahead of time. If you are buying wood from this year's cut to burn this season, then you will be burning unseasoned, wet wood.

In addition to the age and dryness of the wood, the tree type from where the wood originates is important. Dry woods and hard woods both have their merits when it comes to heat, fire longevity, and fragrance. To give you an idea of wood burning temperature, here is a table from the Consumer Energy Center outlining the BTU output of different types of wood. Check out the list and see what would be the best for your fireplace needs. Then, check out the different fireplace repair and upgrade options offered at Chicago Fireplace & Chimney!

As we prepare for another Midwest winter, it is important to begin taking some steps to ensure that your home is fully prepared for the frigid weather to come. At Chicago Fireplace & Chimney Co. we not only want to provide a great heating source for your home, but we want to make sure that you have a happy and healthy winter season.

1. Ensure that your home exterior is properly waterproofed: Even though snow and ice can be damaging, the water that comes from this melted precipitation can be much more damaging to a building. If your home is not properly waterproofed, water can get inside to damage wood and other materials that are susceptible to moisture.
    
2. Make sure that snow does not gather: It is important to make sure that snow and ice can easily be removed from your roof either by sliding off or having a clear gutter system for melted snow and ice. Letting hundreds of pounds of snow gather on your building can place unneeded stress on the roof and potentially lead to costly repairs or a dangerous collapse.
    
3. Clear and properly treat all walkways: The hazards of unclear walking paths is obvious, but it is also important to treat your walkways with eco-friendly products that do not damage the concrete or other parts of your sidewalk or walkway.
    
4. Purchase a quality heating source: It is very important to keep your home properly heated during the colder months. You need to ensure that you have a high quality heating source that let's your home remain evenly heated during the entire year. At Chicago Fireplace & Chimney Co. we have many different heating options for your home. A fireplace is a great way to heat your home safely and in an affordable manner. A good heating source keeps your pipes from freezing and your family comfortable.
    
5. Keep air vents clear: Make sure that all air vents that pull in air for your furnace or other heating apparatus are clear of snow, ice, or other debris. This will keep your heating system working efficiently all year long. Additionally, you will extend the life of your heating devices by keeping them in working order and clear of any debris.

Winter can be a great time filled with holidays and fun in the snow. Make sure that you keep the cold outdoors his season by taking some of these steps. Not only will you avoid the sniffles, but you will keep your humble abode warm and cozy during even the coldest of nights.