Wood Burning
We Sell & Install Wood-Burning Fireplaces, Stoves & Inserts
Many of us in the Bucks and Montgomery County area have easy access to fallen timber, which makes the idea of a wood-burning fireplace, stove or insert particularly appealing. With a wood-burning unit, you can bring beautiful ambiance and added heat to your space and, often enough, pay little or nothing for the fuel you use in it. Plus, with all the advances made in wood-burning appliances, you can burn wood and still be eco-friendly!
Is wood right for you? Depending on your particular space and what you hope to get out of a heating appliance, one type of fuel may be more fitting than another. American Chimney’s technicians can go over the various fuel choices and their benefits (Gas Inserts), and help you settle on a new appliance that fits your lifestyle and home perfectly.
If You Don’t Have An Existing Heating Appliance
If you’re adding a brand new appliance – as opposed to replacing or upgrading an old one — a fireplace or stove will be the best choice for your needs. Stoves are generally looked at as the best zone heaters, so if warmth is what you’re really going for, that might be your first inclination. That said, many of the prefabricated fireplaces on the market today are designed to reflect a lot of heat into a space as well. The choice between a fireplace and a stove often comes down to aesthetic preference and placement — stoves can be installed as free-standing units, while fireplaces are installed into a wall of the home. But prefabricated fireplaces and stoves are available in a wide variety of looks, from classic to modern, so you’ll have a lot of options regardless of which type of appliance you settle on.
If You Have An Existing Unit
If your old fireplace or stove is looking the worse for wear, or is no longer functioning properly or at the level of safety you expect and need, an insert could be an ideal way to upgrade your space. Inserts are designed to be retrofitted into an existing appliance, making installation easy and labor costs inexpensive. Once installed, you’ll have an appliance that looks great and, more than likely, functions far better than the original appliance did.
Something To Keep In Mind About Wood
Using fallen timber in your wood-burning appliance is great, but always keep in mind: wood needs to be dried properly before you use it as fuel. Green wood or wood with a higher moisture content causes your fire to burn cooler and produce more smoke and more creosote. This has negative effects in both the short and long term, from impeding your chimney’s draft to contributing to the development of Stage 3 or “glazed” creosote (which is incredibly difficult to remove and incredibly flammable, too).
To get your firewood ready for use, make sure it’s covered and protected from rain in a way that still allows air to flow around it — for six months to a year.
If you’d like to talk about having a new wood-burning fireplace, stove or insert installed, call American Chimney at 215-364-0881 – our CSIA-certified techs are ready to help! You can also use our convenient online scheduling form!
Because we do all kinds of fireplace and chimney sales and installations, we can replace factory-built, prefabricated fireplace walls and screens.
If your wood-burning stove requires too much work or upkeep for you and your family to really enjoy it, you have options. You could have a new gas insert installed, or….. Read More
Gas Fireplace
Enhance Your Home with a New Gas Fireplace, Gas Stove or Gas Fireplace Insert
If you’ve decided that a gas appliance makes the most sense for your lifestyle and your home, you’ll still have a big decision to make: do you want a fireplace, a stove or an insert?
Each has definite benefits — it all really depends on your space, your needs and your preferences. American Chimney’s Technicians can talk you through the process of choosing a new appliance, and help you can find one that completely meets your expectations and hopes.
But here’s a little food for thought as you consider this addition!
The differences between Fireplaces, Stoves, and Inserts
Gas fireplaces, stoves and inserts have one major thing in common: the fuel they use, of course. But they’re still different in several ways, and one might make more sense for you and your home than another.
Gas Fireplaces
Contemporary gas fireplace factory-built gas fireplace manufacturers are providing homeowners with an array of options these days, in terms of both fashion and function. You can choose a fireplace that’s designed to add more of a vibe and decorative flair to your space, or one that is designed to provide significant secondary heating. You can choose from units that look like traditional masonry fireplaces, or units that have clean and sleek lines and glass doors on two, three, even four sides. And while traditional fireplaces are limited in respect to where you can have them installed, the zero-clearance construction in many factory-built fireplaces makes it so they can be placed almost anywhere, so long as there’s access to a gas line.
Gas Stoves
Traditionally, if we’re talking about wood, stoves and fireplaces differ greatly in terms of heat output – wood-burning stoves are far better zone heaters. But since factory-built gas appliances of all kinds are now designed to provide efficient heat, the more explicit difference between gas fireplaces and stoves comes with regard to installation placement and look. Stoves can be freestanding out in the room, usually on a pedestal or legs, while a fireplace must be built into or installed in a wall. Stoves also bring a unique look to a space, whether you choose one that’s classic cast iron or slick steel.
Worried about heat output? Gas stoves can be great zone heaters — there are units on the market that provide enough heat to keep a whole floor of your home warm.
Gas Fireplace Inserts
Inserts are made to be installed into an existing fireplace, venting through an existing chimney. These are a great choice if your current appliance needs a significant aesthetic and/or functional upgrade, and you’d rather not rebuild. A new insert can quickly take an eyesore fireplace, or one that’s offering particularly poor performance, and turn it into a beloved part of your home again.
Interested?
If you’re in the market for a new gas fireplace, stove or insert, turn to American Chimney – our CSIA-certified technicians can find and install the perfect appliance for you and your home! Call us today at 215-364-0881 or click here to schedule an appointment!
It’s easy for our experienced staff to convert your existing fireplace to gas by installing a new gas log set.
Converting to Gas
Looking To Have A Gas Log Set Installed? American Chimney Can Help!
If your wood-burning stove requires too much work or upkeep for you and your family to really enjoy it, you have options. You could have a new gas insert installed, or go with an even simpler option, by opting to have your fireplace converted to gas with a gas log installation.
American Chimney routinely installs beautiful and durable gas logs, so you can expect expert knowledge and installation practices. Our Master Technician can talk with you about the variety of log options and help you decide which would work best for you. No matter which set you choose, all our log sets are of the highest quality and will be expertly installed. We’ve put a lot of time into sourcing industry-leading products, and our CSIA- and NFI-certified techs are some of the best in the business.
Gas Logs Stand Up To Heat
Gas-logs The gas logs American Chimney Technicians routinely sell and install are made with durable refractory material that’s designed to hold up through years of use and enjoyment. Many come with lifetime limited warranties, as well, so you can feel confident that your addition will last.
Today’s Gas Logs Really Look Like Logs!
Many years ago, gas logs had some serious aesthetic drawbacks — there was no question that you were looking at manufactured logs and a factory-organized flame. Thankfully, that’s changed in a big way. Today’s gas logs are handcrafted and painted by hand, revealing details that realistically mimic bark and knots. Burner systems are far more realistic nowadays, as well – today’s vented gas logs produce large and remarkably natural flames. Log sets also allow you to add a really personal touch to your appliance, choosing from a wide variety of different log styles, from a dark, charred oak to bright white birch or beachy driftwood.
The “Go To” Chimney Sweep & Repair Experts!
One More Choice: Vented Or Ventless Gas Logs
There are two main types of gas logs on the market: vented and ventless. Vented gas logs, as you might guess, need to vent through a functional chimney. Ventless gas logs, though, don’t need a chimney to vent through. Each type has benefits and drawbacks. For example, ventless logs direct a good amount of heat into the space, though their flames are smaller and don’t look much like those of a true wood fire. Vented gas logs, on the other hand, provide a much more realistic flame, but because heat is lost up the chimney, they aren’t an efficient heat source. If you’re more concerned with aesthetics, vented gas logs will be the best choice for you; if secondary heat is what you really need, a ventless log set probably makes more sense.
If you’re interested in gas logs, American Chimney can help you find the perfect set and provide expert installation services. Just give us a call at 215-364-0881 or click here to schedule online!
Installing a gas log lighter may be the easiest way to enjoy the convenience of a gas appliance while retaining all the pleasure of burning real wood.
Dream Fireplace
Ready To Build Your Dream Fireplace & Chimney? We Are!
Isn’t it time you start enjoying the beauty, warmth and ambiance of a new masonry fireplace and chimney? Not only can a new masonry construction add charm to gatherings with family and friends – but it can also add value to your home and serve as an additional heat source. What’s your vision? Whatever your style, space and budget, the technicians at American Chimney & Masonry can work with you to create a fireplace and chimney that you’ll love and enjoy for years to come……
Consider Your Style Options!
When dreaming up your next fireplace and chimney, you have a lot of options to consider. What feel or look are you going for? Do you want something clean and modern or something majestic and classic? Are you going for traditional placement or would you like a unit that you can view and enjoy from two different rooms? Will you use traditional brick? White, black or colored brick? Stone? The material options are many and can help determine the final style statement your new masonry construction will make.
In addition to material choice, consider pattern choices. Our skilled technicians can lay brick or stone in a variety of custom patterns, giving your fireplace or chimney an added flair. With the experts at American Chimney on your team, you don’t have to settle with a fireplace or chimney that’s strictly functional (although we do pride ourselves on the functionality of our constructions) – we can work with you to create a real piece of art.
The “Go To” Chimney Sweep & Repair Experts!
What Fuel Will You Burn?
From wood and pellet to gas, the type of fuel your new construction burns will determine heat output, fuel costs, use-to-use maintenance, and more. Not sure what is best for your home? Our technicians would be more than happy to discuss the options with you, so that you can make an informed and confident decision.
We Can Help You From Start To Finish!
Adding a new fireplace and chimney to your home is a pretty big investment – make it count by hiring the expert masons at American Chimney. With our knowledge and skill, we can honestly tell you that no job is too big or too small. Call 215-364-0881 or click here to discuss the possibilities! We’re ready and waiting to exceed your expectations!.
Some of your pre-existing brick or stone work may need masonry repair. We would be happy to advise you about this type of common chimney repair service.
