The role of a fireplace in the home has evolved from being the sole source of heat for warmth and cooking. It is now a focal design piece that adds a special feeling of unparalleled comfort. After thousands of years in use, fireplaces are still as popular and evolving in home design and function. The experts at Acme Brick Tile & Stone explain the advances and options available for the ultimate home addition.
With advances in masonry technology, fireplaces are even more relevant to the modern homeowner. The fireplace continues to be most popular as a focal point in rooms of the home where family and friends gather – the living room or great room. But it can now be found in many other parts of the home as well. For example, fireplaces are immensely popular as a part of an outside entertainment area. They canalso grace kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Any part of the home can become a little more cozy with the addition of a fireplace.
According to Marshall Davidson of Acme Brick, adhering to a few details can boost a fireplace’s energy efficiency. These include properly sizing and locating an exterior air supply for combustion and draft air, as wells as tight-fitting dampers. Operation of the fireplace and other devices, such as glass screens, may also substantially affect the performance of the fireplace.
“Workmanship remains a critical factor to the performance of fireplaces,” Davidson said. With new home construction or renovation to add a fireplace, the designer and builder should be familiar with the fireplace construction techniques of the locality. Proper permits will be required.”
Prefabricated fireplaces have become extremely popular because they allow for greater flexibility in design and placement within the home. As a leader in fireplace technology, Acme Brick Tile & Stone offers Isokern fireplaces, by Earthcore.
Made from volcanic pumice, Isokern fireplaces and chimneys feature a unique modular component system. Their interlocking design makes them lightweight and easy to assemble. Pumice also offers high insulation value and reflective qualities, improving the burn efficiency of every system. Isokern fireplaces and chimney systems are ideal for indoor, outdoor, multi-family and commercial use.
All Isokern fireplaces are finished with the homeowner’s choice of firebrick color and pattern. They are available in black, grey, red, cream and (by special order) soapstone colors.
Because of their weight, traditional brick or stone fireplaces were often limited to areas of the home with firm foundations – usually first floors or outside. Mason-Lite solves this problem.
Isokern and Mason-Lite’s fireboxes are lighter than brick or stone fireplaces. Plus, both offer custom order fireplaces and the ability to customize their standard units.
“Mason-Lite Lightweight Masonry Fireplace Systems are only half the weight and half the cost of traditional masonry fireplaces,” noted Davidson. “Homeowners can put a fireplace in their master bedroom, upstairs retreat or even outdoor patio, without major building infrastructure reinforcement,”
When you’re ready to warm up to a fireplace in any room, Acme Brick Tile & Stone has the history, expertise, and products to make this happen. Click here for more information.
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