A-1 Stoves Chimneys & Awnings

When it comes to wood heating stoves, burn time depends on several different factors, including wood species, moisture content, and how much heat is needed during the burn. Generally, medium or larger size stoves are able to give reliable overnight burns, with enough coals remaining to kindle a fire in the morning.

When you hold a party, are all of your guests being crammed inside once it gets dark outside? An outdoor fireplace provides the perfect atmosphere and warmth so the party can expand out onto the patio or backyard even after the sun goes down.

A good chimney cap is an important part of any chimney infrastructure. Chimney caps, for one thing, arrest sparks, which prevent fires. They also keep animals like squirrels and birds out. Additionally, chimney caps keep water from entering the flue and chimney shell, limit downdrafts when it is windy, and help prevent noxious odors from building up.

So why is it recommended that you invest in a heating stove that has a higher BTU range than is necessary? This is because you don’t want to continually fire your stove at its maximum capacity. Otherwise, the unit and its parts will only wear out faster.

There are a wide range of awning and canopy fabric styles available, depending on what you are seeking to accomplish design-wise. Bold, vibrant fabrics can create the perfect focal point, while earth tones can be used as a unifying element.

You will want to choose an outdoor fireplace design that fits in scale with the size of the yard and complements the architectural look of the home. Look to your home for architectural elements that you can replicate in the shape of the mantle or the chimney.

White stains that appear on the brick of the chimney are a common problem. These are usually caused by water penetration during a rain or snowstorm. When the water dries, it leaves behind minerals. A chimney professional can clean the brick and seal cracks so this doesn't occur.

Are you thinking of adding an outdoor fireplace to your backyard or patio? You’ve got a lot of good company. According to the American Society of Landscape Architects, one of the top requested features for homeowners is an outdoor fireplace.

If you do not want to worry about having to clean out ashes from a fireplace or pit, go with a gas unit. Many have accessories that provide the look and feel of a wood-burning unit, but without the added cleaning chore.

If you have a fireplace or stove that smokes a lot, then you might be surprised by modern heating stoves. New design and construction methods make stoves that are so efficient that almost all of the components of smoke are burnt up in the process.

Because of their high burn efficiency and fuel density, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that wood pellets used in pellet stoves offer very low particulate emissions, which is good for the environment. Pellet stoves, unlike wood stoves and fireplaces, typically require electricity to operate.

Chimney liners not only protect a home from heat transfer, but they also protect the inside of the chimney from the corrosive elements which are formed from burning wood. Liners also increase the efficiency of the flue and significantly extend the life of chimneys.

Depending on your climate, you may have to store your awnings and canopies over the winter. In many cases, all you need to do is retract the awning into the housing and remove it. Store the awning in a dry area with good ventilation.