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Fireplace Trends We Will See in 2021

trendy fireplace

With every new year comes new trends! Fireplaces are included in that. Being able to change so many aspects of your fireplace and mantle, updating and staying trendy is easy. Here are some fireplace trends we will see in the months to come:

Emphasizing Your Fireplace Mantel

Using your fireplace mantel as a stylish piece of décor will be trendy this year. With many people doing away with even having a mantel, bringing it back in style will add a new element to anyone’s space. Modern, rustic, and Mediterranean types of mantels are said to what’s in style for 2021. These styles are versatile and easily made to be fitting for any living room or space in your home!

Natural-Textured Fireplaces

While the modern look was all the rage the past couple of years, many homeowners might be opting for a more natural and subtle look for their fireplaces in 2021. Modern materials are used to create these natural-looking fireplaces, though. Some materials you may see include concrete, Glass, metal, plaster, and wood. Concrete is a great option for those looking for a minimalist look, Glass is great for a transparent option, and metal is perfect for homeowners who want an industrial feel.

Tiled Fireplaces

Tiles are a reliable and trendy option to put on your fireplace. There are so many styles to choose from to fit your home’s decor and color scheme. There is pebbled tile, ceramic tile, glass mosaic tile, marble tile, and patterned tile. Pebbled tile is an eco-friendly option that might be one of the most popular materials for tiles. Ceramic is a classic material that will still have your fireplace looking trendy and chic. Glass can provide a modern touch along with a luxurious look!

TV Over Your Fireplace

More and more homeowners are caving in and placing their TV over their fireplace. Many people have had either mirrors or pictures above their mantel, but with the changing times and living rooms becoming a more casual space, TVs are making their way up there. The TV’s flatness mixed with something like a gas or electric fireplace provides a chic look to any home.

Contact New England Hearth & Home

Whichever fireplace trends you want to take part in this year, New England Hearth & Home can help! With years of experience in the fireplace industry, our experts are ready to tackle your project. New England Hearth & Home is here to help you stay up-to-date with fireplace trends. Contact us to learn more about our fireplace services and products. Call us today to learn more or fill out our contact form to reach our fireplace experts!

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Signs That Your Chimney Needs To Be Cleaned

When something like a car has issues, you typically know right away. When it’s something like your chimney, you may have difficulty noticing if there is a problem. It’s that time of year again where fireplaces will be in full force. Your chimney must be in perfect shape to keep you and your home safe. Here are some ways to tell if your chimney needs to be cleaned:

Buildup of Creosote

If you burn a fire and notice a weird smell, it could be creosote buildup in your chimney. This smell can still be noticeable even after you think you cleaned the fireplace, it’s something to do with the chimney. Creosote is a by-product of burning fires in your fireplace, and it should be cleaned every year – especially if you are an avid user of your fireplace. Moisture from the logs burning will travel up the chimney and stick to the walls. 

Animal Entry

Birds and other smaller animals get into chimneys more often than you think. This can happen when your chimney cap isn’t shut or when you don’t have one at all. Small animals can easily get in, but they have a tough time getting out. Chimneys are the perfect place for birds and animals to live and start families. If you sense a weird smell coming from your fireplace, you may need to have it cleaned out for animals. A lot of the time, you will even find dead animals in there. It’s sad, but it happens often.

Excess Smoke In Your Fireplace

If you have a lot of smoke when you burn a fire, that can be a sign to have your chimney cleaned. Excess smoke can signal that there is a blockage somewhere in the chimney. It can also mean the opening in the chimney is clogged by grime, soot, or creosote. Your chimney won’t be as effective unless you get it cleaned out.

Soot

If you have a lot of black material in your fireplace, that could be soot. Soot is what happens before creosote forms. Soot isn’t too hard to clean out of a fireplace, but you definitely should get it done before a long winter of use. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

New England Hearth & Home is here to help you with all things fireplace! We can take care of your yearly cleaning and any other maintenance on your fireplace. Contact us to talk to one of our experts about anything you need to be done to your fireplace. Call us today or fill out our online request form to get in touch.

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Unique Places in Your Home to Install a Fireplace

When you see a fireplace in someone’s home, it’s typically in the living room. Since fireplaces are an amenity that started in the 1600s, living rooms were the best part of the house in terms of ventilation. While fireplaces’ look has changed, many people stray away from installing them in other parts of their homes. Here are some rooms in your home where you should consider installing a fireplace:

Fireplace in Your Master Bath

Master bathrooms are the peak of relaxation in a home. Usually, there is a soaking tub or jacuzzi, double vanity, and a lot of space. If you spend a big part of your day in your master bathroom, adding a fireplace can make it even more enjoyable. Colder mornings will be warmer, and relaxing in the bath after a long day will be full of ambiance. Once you think about adding one to your bathroom, you won’t be able to get the idea out of your head!

Fireplace in Your Kitchen

These days, kitchens are more dynamic than ever! From entertaining to cooking, a kitchen can be used for so much. Since many people opt for an open concept kitchen when remodeling, they find themselves eating meals there. Adding a fireplace for holiday dinners and having friends over can create a restaurant atmosphere and add warmth and comfort to the space.

Fireplace in Your Foyer

Adding a warm welcome for your guests or yourself after a long day is something easy to do with a fireplace in your foyer! Even if you have a small entryway, there are small fireplaces to match. Having a fireplace in your foyer is a pleasant surprise and a unique addition to your home.

Fireplace in Your Exercise Room

Having a fireplace in a room that you associate with sweat and being hot probably doesn’t make sense at first. Luckily, electric fireplaces can give the appearance of a fire without the heat! If you do yoga, Pilates, or another relaxing form of exercise, having a fireplace in the room with you can add to the calming and soothing vibes.

Fireplace in Your Outdoor Living Space

As the weather gets cooler and the nights getting shorter, adding a fireplace to your backyard living space can increase the amount of time you’re able to spend out there. Fireplaces are an excellent option for inside and outside of the home. Keep you and your guests warm while also adding extra light!

Contact New England Hearth & Home

At New England Hearth & Home, our mission is to provide you with the best fireplace services you can find. Contact us for fireplace installation, repairs, and other services. Call us today or fill out our service request form to get in touch!

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Everything to Know About Seasoned Firewood

seasoned firewood

Are you looking to use seasoned firewood for your fireplace this Fall or Winter? Seasoned wood is made by storing away and drying out wood for a whole season before use. Wood can take 1 to 2 years to become adequately seasoned! It can reduce the moisture in the wood to make it burn better. If you use wood with a lot of moisture, your stove or fireplace will not be fuel-efficient. 

How Can You Tell if Firewood is Seasoned?

Here are some ways to tell if your firewood is seasoned correctly for use:

Color of the Wood

There are a few ways to tell if you have seasoned firewood to use for your fireplace or woodstove. The first way to be able to tell is by looking at the color. When wood ages, it fades in color. Seasoned wood will get paler over time, which is what you want. The lighter the wood is, the longer it’s been seasoned. 

Size of the Wood

The bigger the wood, the longer it will take to season. If you want larger pieces of seasoned wood, make sure they have been in the process of seasoning for a while. Otherwise, opting for smaller pieces may be your better option.

Why is it Important to use Seasoned Wood?

If you want to get the most heat out of your fireplace and increase your fireplace’s efficiency, seasoned wood is the best choice. It will also keep your fireplace or stove in use for a lot longer. Wood with high moisture can damage your unit, so seasoned firewood is the best choice to keep your fireplace running. 

Seasoning Your Own Firewood

Here are some tips for seasoning your own firewood:

Plan Out a Good Amount of Time

If you want seasoned firewood for next Fall and Winter, start planning now. Being able to have it season for this long will give you better results!

Cut The Wood Correctly 

You may want to opt for smaller pieces of wood, especially if this is your first time seasoning on your own. Cut larger pieces in half, so you still have the same amount of wood, but it will get the results you are looking for faster. 

Storing the Wood

Pick a spot that is dry and where the wood won’t be affected by the outdoor elements. This could be your garage or shed or another place where they can be stacked correctly. 

Contact New England Hearth & Home

If you are looking for more fireplace tips or are interested in our fireplace services, contact us today! New England Hearth & Home is happy to provide you with the best fireplaces in MA! Give us a call or fill out our contact form to get in touch.