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A Brief History Of Fireplaces
A fireplace is a structure within
conventional homes that provides heat and serves as an element of
architectural style, as they are usually built into walls. In many
homes, older and newer, the fireplace is a showcase for social
gatherings.
Although most fireplaces are similarly constructed and share common
features, the basic fireplace is comprised of a central foundation
of cement, along with a hearth, a firebox and unique facing, ash
dump and cleanout doors, a lintel and lintel bar, a breast, a
damper, a smoke chamber, a throat, a flue, a chimney chase, a crown,
a cap or shroud, and a spark arrestor. The structure of the
fireplace was incorporated in the designs of homes for decades, even
centuries. Today, however, since the fireplace has been replaced by
central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist,
seems to be to carry on tradition.
Fireplace: Fuel
Traditionally, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat. Today,
these burning materials have been replaced by natural gas and
electrical fires due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and
frequently less expensive than the older forms of fuel. Gas
fireplaces usually require small doses of fuel to allow flames to
burn for long periods of time. Modern fireplaces are better and more
economical that way.
Types of Fireplaces
Manufactured/Prefab Fireplaces—built with a sheet metal fire box, a
double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a wood framed
chase, and a chase cover and cap/spark arrestor at the top. Salt
water in close proximity causes this kind of chimney to rust, but
it’s economical to the more expensive masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces—features tiles that implement the flue to prevent
corrosion in the chimney flue lining. These are not
earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys: They had their heyday during the 1970s
and ‘80s, but are now obsolete. Inherent defect: confliction of
thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete will
cause cracking in the flue when heated. The chimney is loaded with
vertical cracks which become more severe as the internal rebar
rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to one’s home. The fire
is mesmerizing and relaxing, and mantels are very popular in
boasting family memories. Fireplaces hold a value that goes beyond
their originally intended function and the apparent flaws in their
structure. It goes deeper than that--fireplaces represent all the
securities and comforts of home!
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
Qmark Heaters,
electric tankless water heaters,
bathroom heaters,
patio heaters, electric heaters,
portable air
conditioners & electric towel warmers. Shop on line at
www.heateroutlet.com for these great home improvement products.
Iapsales.com LLC was established in 2003 and is the sister company to
Innovative Air Products located in historical Exeter, NH. We are a 2nd
generation manufacturers’ rep firm dedicated to providing residential &
commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment. We offer
a great selection online at the lowest prices anywhere. We can also be
found on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube