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 a special 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 included into the designs of houses for decades, even centuries. Today however, considering that the fireplace has been replaced by central heating, the presence of fireplaces, where they still exist, appears to be to carrying on tradition.
Fireplace Fuel.
Traditionally, fireplaces were fueled by coal, wood, or peat. Today, these burning products have been replaced by natural gas and electrical power due to the fact that these are cleaner, safer, and frequently less expensive than the older kinds of fuel. Gas fireplaces normally need small amounts of fuel to allow flames to burn for extended periods of time. Modern fireplaces are better and more affordable that way.
Kinds of Fireplaces.
Manufactured/Prefab Fireplaces are constructed with a sheet metal fire box, a double or triple walled metal pipe running up inside a wood framed chase, a chase cover, and a cap/spark arrestor at the top. Salt water in close proximity causes this kind of chimney to rust, however, its more economical than the more costly masonry chimney.
Masonry fireplaces feature tiles that use the flue to avoid rust in the chimney flue lining. These are not earthquake-resistant!
Reinforced Concrete Chimneys.
They had their heyday throughout the 1970s and 80s, however, are now obsolete. Inherent defects include confliction of thermal expansion rates between the steel rebar and concrete, which will cause fracturing in the flue when heated up Alaskan Home Services . The chimney is loaded with vertical cracks which become more severe as the internal rebar rusts.
Fireplaces are appealing, as they add style to ones home. The fire is mesmerizing and calming, and mantels are very popular in boasting family photos. Fireplaces hold a value that surpass their originally intended purpose, and the obvious imperfections in their structure. It goes deeper than that, as fireplaces represent all the securities and conveniences of the home.