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Hearth Solutions: Gas Fireplaces
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Fireplaces, also known as the "Hearth of the Home", become the focal point of any room they are in. Gas Fireplaces today are energy efficient zone heating machines, but also add an extreme amount of additional aesthetic and design value to any room they are installed into. Fireplaces define the room they are in and can be faced and surrounded by endless types of decorative fronts, stone facings, mantels, and other materials. Fireplaces can be installed almost any room of the house. When installed, gas fireplaces become "built-in" appliances that are part of the general layout of the area of home they are in. |
Why would I purchase a Gas Fireplace?
Replace a cold and drafty existing wood burning fireplace.
Add an attractive zone-heater to heat the rooms you spend the most time in.
Add a fireplace to "complete" a room, or to add that missing design touch you desire.
Incorporate a fireplace into a new construction project or addition. |
Typical Project for Gas Fireplaces:
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There are a few different Gas Fireplace installations which Best Fire installs regularly. Review below to find out which one will work best for your project. The following are only a sample of the Gas Fireplace project that Best Fire can help you with. |
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"Wood-to-Gas" Conversion (or "Gas-to-Gas"): |
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Situation: |
You have a wood fireplace that you rarely use. It seems drafty and cold, and when you do have it burning, it spills spoke in the home, it's dirty, and it just doesn't seem to push much heat out. Plus, the doors are broke and it's just plain ugly...what an eyesore!! |
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Solution: |
Best Fire, in one or two days will completely change the warmth in your room and more importantly the way you feel about your fireplace. This gas fireplace installation involves the removal of a previously installed zero-clearance wood burning fireplace that was probably installed during the construction of your home with a new energy efficient and convenient gas fireplace. Sometimes we are able to even use your existing facing materials. Other times customers take the opportunity to completely change the look of the fireplace by installing new facing materials such as granite, marble, stone, mantels and other design features. Oh, almost forgot, during the installation Best Fire will be completely re-insulating and re-sealing up the exterior chase...no more cold drafts!!
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Before-Wood Fireplace |
After-Gas Fireplace |
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Click here to view more "Before-After" pictures... |
| New Gas Fireplace-Existing Living Space: |
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Situation: |
You have always dreamed of having a fireplace in this room. You would like to add that finishing touch to the room, add significant value to your home, and would love to add an efficient zone heater that will help you save money on your heating bills. You have in mind a location on one of your walls where you might want your fireplace, and an idea of the look you want; what are the options? |
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Solution: |
Best Fire, in one or two days of on-site time, will completely change the warmth in your room and more importantly the way you feel about your living space. However this gas fireplace project starts with a consultation and design with one of our Hearth Consultants. We listen to your preferences, goals, and objectives of the project and suggest possible products, solutions, and ideas. During the installation, Best Fire handles the whole project; as necessary we add framing and sheetrock inside, or we construct a whole new framed chase on the outside, or we supply and install a beautiful wood cabinet. We also supply and install the stone, granite, or marble along with the mantel, shelf, or other trim. No detail is left untouched. The choices are endless. But at the end of the project you just received the fireplace of your dreams. |
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Before-Blank Wall |
After-Gas Fireplace |
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| Click here to view more "Before-After" pictures... |
Installation Basics:
Fireplaces need to be built into something as at least one side of the fireplace is not designed to be visible in the room. The fireplace can be framed into the house using a framed chase or bump-in, or can be enclosed in a cabinet to eliminate framing. Fireplaces can be installed anywhere in the house, either on an exterior wall or interior wall of your house. When deciding on the location of a gas fireplace, the "vent-run" design must be taken into account.
Additionally when thinking of a new fireplace you must try to envision the finished product, which will include how you want to finish the fireplace. Specificially what type of stone, granite, marble, mantels, shelves, or other surround materials you plan to use. These materials determine the overal size an space on the wall or into the room that is needed for your gas fireplace. |
Venting requirements and types:
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All of Best Fire gas fireplaces are of the Direct-Vent type. Simply put, Direct Vent technology uses a single co-axial piping system which draws air from the outside of the home (through the outer part of the pipe) and exhausts the by-products of gas combustion back outside (through the inner part of the pipe.) Direct vent gas fireplace vent terminations are either mounted on an exterior side wall of the home or through a roof penetration.
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Horizontal termination indicates that the final section of the "vent-run" travels horizontally and the termination cap is mounted on an external side wall of the home.
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Vertical termination means that the final section of the "vent-run" travels vertically and the termination cap is mounted on the final section of pipe, above the roof of the home. |
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The size, shape, brand, and the compatibility of Direct Vent Pipe will vary by fireplace manufacturer and model. Furthermore, each model fireplace with have specific pipe clearances, "vent-run" restrictions, and requirements that must be adhered to during installation. For more information about Gas Fireplaces, venting, and installation details, contact one of Best Fire's design consultants (518) 869-9600. |
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Click here to learn more about the different types of gas fireplace venting..... |
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