How to Choose Modern Fireplaces
Want to choose from the many modern fireplaces on the market today? Choose a gas fireplace and you'll have the wonder of a great fire without the inconvenience of wood.
Things You Will Need
A knowledge of the different types of modern fireplaces; a gas fireplace venting review and a desire to spruce up your home, apartment, condo or loft with the hottest type of fireplace around!Step 1
The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of gas fireplace you need to have modern fireplaces grace your decor. Three types exist, although one, the natural vent, isn't very common in contemporary styling. That's because they require chimneys, and so this type of gas fireplace is hard to install everywhere modern fireplaces are made to go. They're also drafty and don't produce much heat; thus they are better for warmer climates or if you just want to decorate your home.The next type of gas fireplace is the direct vent. This one keeps you very warm because it leaves indoor air undisturbed, so it stays warm. These modern fireplaces have two pipes for venting; one goes on top of the other so that air comes in one while exhaust goes out the other. This type vents through a wall or out the roof so you can install one almost anywhere you like.
The final type of gas fireplace is the vent free. This one, as the name implies, needs no venting whatsoever. Therefore, you can save on installation costs. However, some states,mistakenly thinking that these modern fireplaces are unsafe and have outlawed their use. Nevertheless, these days they are completely safe as they have Oxygen Depletion Systems (ODS) that will turn off the fireplaces should the oxygen drop to unsafe levels. These are perhaps the most versatile to use.
Step 2
Now you need to start deciding is what kind of gas fireplace you want; as I said earlier, modern fireplaces come in many styles. For example, the one shown in Step 1 is a long, lean machine that hangs on your wall like a picture might. These come in direct vent or vent free gas fireplace styles; I recommend a vent free so that your installation is basically plug-and-play -- just hang it and plug it in and you'll have a roaring fire in no time. The second type, shown above, is the type that you build into the wall to make an artistic statement, much as you might build a sculpture into your wall. These are funky and fresh and aesthetically pleasing. This one looks like a torch burning, and is in fact called "The Torch." It will not keep you as warm as other modern fireplaces because of its smallness, but it will sure look good.
The last type are the multi-sided. These are really for dividing rooms and come in see-through, peninsula and island styles. A see-through gas fireplace bridges together two rooms, such as a bedroom and bathroom or a living room and dining room, allowing views of the dancing flames from each room. A peninsula has three viewing sides and is best used in an open space where limited numbers of walls connect each room to the other. Finally, modern fireplaces such as the island one shown below bring a new dimension to kitchens or wherever you decide to put them. As they are open on all sides, the fire burns clearly and evenly all over!
Step 3
You'll next have to choose how hot you want your gas fireplace to be. Do you need it to heat your whole home? Then you'll have to find one that emits up to 30,000 BTUs. Do you want it simply to aesthetically please your guests in one room? Then a 10,000 BTU one will be just fine. If you want a see-through gas fireplace, I suggest one with 15,000 BTUs to keep both warms toasty. You can figure out the amount of BTUs you need by measuring the square footage of the area you want to heat and then using a BTU calculator.Choosing modern fireplaces isn't hard as long as you remember these rules. Whichever kind of gas fireplace you decide to go with, make sure you'll love it for a long while because it's a nearly permanent investment in your home. Also consider where you place it -- you'll want it to go wherever the most traffic is in your home for the ultimate in pleasurable fire viewing.
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