We often find that when potential clients reach out to us in their quest to acquire the perfect fireplace for their home, they become overwhelmed by all the information we require to provide an accurate quote for the treasure they are seeking. However, every king resides in his own uniquely built castle.
If you would allow, I will explain WHY we ask these questions, and how it helps us to narrow down the prospective options and offer you a choice that is far less mindboggling.
“HOW MUCH SPACE DO YOU NEED TO WARM?”
Firstly, we understand how closed combustion fireplaces heat a space. Secondly, we are committed to ensuring your satisfaction as the owner of a fireplace that performs well.
While most people are accustomed to those old fashioned brick hearths, or open-mouthed, Darth Vader-type fireplaces, they do lose 80% of the heat you generate up the chimney. Additionally, they guzzle up wheel barrow loads of wood, while the icy draft rushing towards it forces you to turn around to defrost your back once your face and hands are toasty warm. Open fireplaces were the reason wingback chairs with skirts were invented! They offer only radiant heat which is limited to a specific localised area.
A well-made closed combustion fireplace is designed to completely slow down that draft, harness and retain that 80% of heat. The closed door with small air vents ensure that only a controlled amount of air is lost, and considerably slows down the rate at which your fireplace consumes fuel! One day’s worth of wood in an open fireplace can last you a week in a closed combustion unit! The heat retention results in a natural convection of warm air throughout the entire open-plan space it is exposed to. It’s designed to raise the ambient temperature of the greater open plan areas in that room. Of course, if there are walls and doors between those rooms, then it is a different story.
The worst complaints we have had are from people who bought fireplaces that are too small. If the expectation is a localised heating solution, then an open fireplace is a better fit. Most often, clients end up with the wrong type of fireplace because of bad information from an underhanded salesperson or ignorant builder.
“WHAT IS YOUR AESTHETIC PREFERENCE?”
Your style and aesthetic preference are taken into account. We ask this question to determine whether you prefer a rustic, farmhouse feel, or is your home design sleek and modern? Perhaps there is something in between that is preferable. We have options to suit either extreme and anyone in between!
“SINGLE, DOUBLE OR OPEN VOLUME?”
Firstly, we ask this question to establish whether you have a single storey, double storey or open volume home. There are many different home designs and each requires a customised flue system. Furthermore, there are other variables to take into account. The height of the roof’s apex, the angle of the ceiling, flooring, and type of roof covering. Clarity on these questions will allow us to ensure the correct draw, a safe installation and an acceptable aesthetic.
We crunch all of the data. Then, we can show you the available fireplaces that will be best suited to your needs. Your choice will then be a fairly easy one compared to when you started.
This is why you come to Fireplace City – for the accumulative expertise of more than 60 years of research, learning and mastering what we do!
You are the king of your castle! We will always endeavour to ensure that you experience the warmest castle possible!
