One of the coziest features a home can have, a real wood fireplace can bring a brilliant atmosphere to your living room. In the winter months, you’ll feel toasty and comfortable – what’s not to love? But a real wood fireplace isn’t for everyone. If you’ve been going backwards and forwards about the decision, this blog could help you to take the plunge or wave goodbye to your potential upcoming project.
Maintenance
Maintaining your real wood fire is more work than an electric fireplace. You’ll need to buy or chop your own wood as well as clean your fireplace and chimney. This can be a lot of work, so make sure you’re willing to put in the time, otherwise, your real wood fire will be a wasted investment.
However, if you live near a rural area or own land, investing in your own log splitter could be a great source of joy. A log splitter will make it much easier for you to get wood for your fire, as this machine will split all of the firewood for you and save you a lot of time.
Of course, a log splitter requires regular maintenance to keep it running safely and efficiently. For example, the hydraulic hoses can wear out and start leaking, or loose parts can damage the machine. Luckily, you can buy log splitter replacement parts online should you need to make any repairs – just follow the maintenance instructions in the user manual to find out how to inspect the machine and replace any parts. If you want to give log splitting a try without the initial investment, then you can easily rent the equipment you need.
Safety
While wood fireplaces are safe to have in your home, they’re not as safe as switching on the central heating. If you have pets or small children, you’ll need to think carefully about how you can make your fireplace as safe as possible. You will always need to have an adult in the room when the fire is on and children should never be left unattended next to it. Ideally, you will need a barrier or guard to keep them from getting too close.
Cost
Many wood fireplaces aren’t very efficient and can cost a lot of money to run. While your central heating bills will decrease, you may end up spending a lot more on wood. What’s more, you’ll only really be heating the room the fire is in while the rest of your home will be noticeably cooler. If you’re willing to spend more to improve the atmosphere in the main room in your home, then your fireplace is absolutely worth it. It’s great if you love gatherings at Christmas and want to bring something extra special to the occasion.
Installation
You will have to pay a professional to install your real wood fireplace and it isn’t something you should attempt to DIY. It’s really important that your fireplace is properly installed to make sure it’s safe. However, even when it’s properly installed your fireplace can sometimes lead to draughts throughout the year due to the way the damper is fitted. This might actually make you feel colder when the fire is on and will mean your home isn’t as well insulated against the chill.
If you decide a real wood fireplace isn’t for you, you can always consider an electric or gas alternative. This will add a similar atmosphere but may be more practical for your lifestyle.
