Shop the Best Wood-Burning Fireplaces, Fireplace Inserts & Stoves From Top Brands in Greensboro, Raleigh, Durham & More

When the breeze begins to chill and leaves curl on their branches, when lighted pumpkins line doorsteps and darkness falls quicker, when hot beverages are the drink of choice – there are few things better than curling up in front of a wood-burning fire. For the best wood fireplaces, fireplace inserts, and wood stoves in Raleigh, Greensboro, and Durham, count on us.

What Are the Benefits of Fueling With Wood?

Maybe you know fueling with wood is the choice for you, but maybe you’re on the fence – and you want to learn as much about your different options as possible. After all, this is a big decision and a decent investment, so you want to be sure you’re choosing something that works for you, your general home aesthetics, and your family.

Here’s a handful of the greatest benefits of any wood-fueled fireplace or heating appliance:

• Traditional, authentic, and multi-sensory ambience. A heating system fueled by wood is hard to beat. For some, it’s that nostalgic smell that brings them back to youthful evenings spent in front of a campfire. For others, it’s watching a flame spark to life under their own two hands. While there are a variety of similar alternatives, there’s nothing like the real thing.
• Renewable resource. Unlike its fossil fuel counterpart, wood is a renewable resource that has a much lower carbon footprint when burned. Fun fact: as long as it is responsibly done, forestry is incredibly important to maintaining a functional ecosystem.
• Relatively easy to obtain/harvest. For the most part, fueling with wood can be quite accessible. Because you don’t have to rely on any other source (or on maintaining a usable connection to that source), wood is a great option if you’re looking for a fuel you can source and harvest yourself.
• Options to choose from. Gone are the days when your only wood-burning option was the traditional open-facing fireplace. These days, there are quite a few alternatives – like stoves and inserts – that come pretty darn close to their original predecessor, while offering a boost in heat and efficiency.

How Do I Choose Between a Wood Fireplace, Insert, or Stove?

The million dollar question. This is a tough one because, while all of these products are great, they appeal to everyone differently.

Are There Modern Options for Wood Fireplaces?

These days, there isn’t much that isn’t modernized – in our industry and elsewhere. When it comes to modern options for wood fireplaces, there are a couple routes you can take.

1. Restoring an Existing System

Let’s say you love your existing hearth. The mantle is in good condition and you don’t mind that the heat output isn’t all that great because you don’t use it other than to boost the ambience in the room. However, the firebox is looking a little old and worn, and you’ve noticed bits of mortar and pieces of brick crumbling off making the whole thing look outdated.

In this case, we’d likely recommend you look into restoring your existing system. Whether you’re wanting to simply refresh and replace any damaged brick in your firebox, or you’re thinking about trying a different fireplace facing look or material, there are a ton of great options on the market that can make your fireplace look brand spanking new.

2. Upgrading to an Insert

Now, if you use your fireplace religiously and love that it burns wood, but are growing tired of the inefficient heat production, it might be a great opportunity to check out a wood-burning fireplace insert. When it comes to upgrades, going the route of an insert is not only going to modernize your heat output and improve your fireside experience, but will also open the door to a wider variety of customization and design options.

3. Adding an Entirely New System

Now, if it’s a totally new system you want, we can help with that too. For instance, one popular option is a zero clearance fireplace. Limited on space? Not to worry. Zero clearance fireplaces don’t require the clearance from combustibles that traditional fireplaces do, which means you can safely enjoy the warmth of a fireplace in spaces you previously couldn’t. And no need for massive renovations, either – rest assured, adding a charming centerpiece to your favorite room is easy.

Will a Wood-Burning Appliance Heat My Whole Home?

Well, this will ultimately depend on a few different factors. Things such as:

• the square footage and layout of the entire space you’re trying to heat
• the specific kind of appliance you have
• the general condition and way in which you operate it
• …and more

These factors all play into heat production and overall efficiency.

As a general rule of thumb, though, despite their efficiency, a singular appliance might have a bit of a tough time producing enough heat to thoroughly warm your home without assistance.

Keep in mind, as far as maximum heat production and efficiency are concerned, inserts and stoves are certainly superior to their traditional wood fireplace counterparts that lose so much heat to the chimney.

However, because wood stoves are available in a handful of different sizes and are versatile enough to be installed just about anywhere, if you’re looking for something with a greater chance to heat your entire home, a wood stove is definitely the way to go.

Also, as always, we invite you to bring any of your questions and concerns to us and we’ll give our professional opinion to help lead you in the best direction of a product that will work for you and your needs.

How Do You Clean & Care for a Wood Fireplace Chimney?

No matter if it’s gas or wood, charcoal or wood pellets, keeping your chimney well-maintained is crucial not just for optimal and efficient performance, but to ensure you and your family stay safe while operating your fireplace.

Aside from necessary repairs when you notice something acting strange or a little off, there are two main preventive services that you should plan to schedule every year:

1. a chimney sweep (or cleaning)
2. a professional and thorough inspection

While somewhat similar in that they both entail a thorough look at all the parts and pieces that make up your chimney and fireplace, they are, in fact, different.

A chimney cleaning – commonly referred to as a “chimney sweeping” in the industry – is when a professional trained chimney technician “sweeps” out your firebox and flue and checks to make sure the entire system is free of any debris and creosote accumulation. Here’s what you need to know:

• When wood is burned, it creates a lot of different byproducts that can cling to the inner walls of the chimney and cause obstructions.
• Many of the byproducts contained within the exhaust from wood combustion are flammable and can put you at risk for a variety of dangers such as chimney fires and exposure to harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide.
• Annual chimney cleaning services are recommended by the CSIA in accordance with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
• Cleanings are a surefire way to know that your system is clear of debris and ready for use when the burning season rolls around.

What Are the Downsides of a Wood-Burning Fireplace?

Ah, if only there were the perfect fuel source with no negative aspects and only a long list of benefits. While there are a lot of great reasons to rely on wood for all your heating needs, the truth is that it’s not for everyone – especially when it comes to an open-burning fireplace.

We always want our customers to be fully informed and confident that they’re making the best decision when it comes to home heat, which means knowing both the pros and the cons. Here are some of the most common drawbacks of heating with wood:

• High maintenance. Fueling with wood – whether in fireplace, insert, or stove form – requires a certain amount of work. First, there is the matter of obtaining the wood, then it must be properly seasoned (or dried out) and stored somewhere. And this all comes before the process of sparking the flame, stoking it to make sure it’s burning properly, and making sure the embers have completely died out before going to bed.
• Not as efficient. Especially when compared to other fuel types like gas, wood is not as great at producing the levels of heat that gas is. Plus, in general, fireplaces only offer zone heating – which can offer a fair amount of warmth to the room in which it’s located, but isn’t necessarily a great option when compared to alternative fuel types and appliances.
• More pollutant smoke. While wood is a renewable resource, it is not clean-burning like its fossil fuel counterparts. The exhaust produced during wood combustion contains a high amount of particulate matter that can aggravate certain respiratory health conditions and create a more pollutant-filled smoke.
• Higher upfront costs. Yes, any kind of change to your existing heating system or new appliance installation will surely be an investment – and wood fireplaces, specifically, will be on the more expensive end of the spectrum. Whether you’re interested in having a prefabricated chimney system installed or something more along the lines of traditional masonry, either option will result in a fabulous new addition to your home…but will also cost a bit more on the front end.

Ready for Installation? Call Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service!

No matter if you’re looking to restore your current masonry fireplace, discuss the possibility of upgrading to an insert, or would like to switch to a new wood stove, you can trust the team of experts at Mr. Smokestack Chimney Service. We’ll make sure the job is done right, according to proper codes and the manufacturer’s specifications.

Don’t worry about a thing – except kicking back, relaxing, and enjoying your new appliance, of course! Give us a call at 919-747-1859 or reach out online today to get started.

 

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