Michigan Fireplace expert, what to look for in buying a fireplace.



Bill Alvarez, a local MI fireplace installer and chimney repair expert explained the different types of fireplaces and what to consider when buying a new fireplace or repairing your original fireplace.


Brick Fireplace


Stone fireplace



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8z7h1Va4f0

At a meeting of the Michigan Contractors Association Bill Alvarez shared what every contractor should know about fireplaces. Bill said, “Fireplaces are simply places to have fires. Fireplaces can be outdoors or in indoors.Fireplaces are generally built out of brick, concrete,stone and metal. Most wood-burning fireplaces include a pit or fire box where the wood is burned, and a chimney where smoke rises and dissipates into the atmosphere. Gas fireplaces are fueled by gas; they may not even have a chimney.”
The majority of fireplaces are wood burners. Wood burners come in a variety of types and styles. The first type of wood burning fireplace is the traditional masonry fireplace. While beautiful and warming to be around, masonry fireplaces are the least efficient type of heating source. Masonry fireplaces can be built out of brick, block, or stone and consists of a firebox and damper, which opens and closes to allow smoke draw into a smoke chamber and finally up a chimney. Having glass doors on this type of fireplace will help increase the heating efficiency and reduce the amount cold air entering the home when the fireplace is not in use.
The second type of fireplace is the fireplace insert or wood burning stove. These come in a huge variety of styles, makes, and models. From the latest fireplace inserts for sale that can produce maximum heating efficiency some even have blower motors. These inserts may burn wood, pellets, or other biofuels. They can either vent out of steel multi wall piping often referred to as a zero clearance fireplace. Inserts for fireplaces can also be installed in existing brick or Masonry fireplaces to increase heating efficiency.
The final type of fireplace is the gas fireplace. They come in three types: inserts, for folks who want to retrofit a wood-burning firebox with something more convenient and efficient; built-ins, for those who want a fireplace where there isn't one now; and log sets, basic burners that sit in existing, open fireplaces. Both inserts and built-in fireplaces are reliable heat producers, filling your room with a mix of warm air and radiant heat. Log sets are usually more for looks than warmth. With each type, you have a choice between models that vent the flames' fumes outside or vent-free versions that discharge all their heat, and exhaust, into the house
Bill finished by saying, “Any fireplace that burns wood produces carbon monoxide and several other harmful gases. If you have a customer who wants to buy a fireplace make sure that it is vented properly. It is also important to make sure that any wood burning fireplace is cleaned annually.”
Bill Alvarez has been in the fireplace and chimney business for 12 years. He is committed to customer satisfaction and quality workmanship. 

Fire Place and Brickwork


Gus Allen superintendent for  A Michigan Brick Repair a masonry repair company warned the Michigan Contractor Association about the dangers of using uninsured contractors on fireplace chimney repairs

Mr Allen started by explaining that when dealing with a firplace chimney It has to have proper clearance of the roof or it will not draft properly. When a firplace chimney does not draft properly it can lead to smoke damage in your homeowners house causing thousands of dollars in damage. While your masonry contractor may have the best intentions , and be a nicest person in the world if they are uninsured you will be left footing the bill for any damages.
While damages to a customer’s home may be costly and expensive, the cost or smoke and fire damage pale in comparison to the risk of someone getting hurt. Even the most skilled chimney repair man can easily themselves seriously injured or even dead if their scaffolding fails or they make one misstep while repairing the brick on a chimney. Even the most successful contractor can find themselves broke or close to it if an un-insured masonry contractor or any subcontractor for that matter is seriously injured while working for them.
A couple great rules to follow are don't have the contractor show you his insurance , have his agent fax you his coverage, this ensures the policy is current . Also as rule I don’t let any of my contractor’s brick or otherwise get to far ahead off me on money. That is I'm not paying more than half up front and rarely pay more than a third. I have often bought the materials, or had the contractor buy them, but I pay for them at the supply house. If it's a "long job", more than a week, I will make interim payments 
Gus Allen has been in the masonry construction business for 25 years, after moving to Pontiac 17 years ago he began focusing on chimney repair and brick repair. He is a Master Mason and can build almost anything out of brick, block or stone. Since forming Michigan brick repair he now supervises the masonry restoration and brickwork projects on a regular basis. His passion or the masonry trade is surpassed only by love of his 4 children

Michigan Fireplces 313-355-3719


Michigan Fireplaces


Having a properly built fireplace is essential to ensure proper smoke ventilation when having a fire in your home. We are Michigan fireplace experts who specialize in the building of fireplaces, fireplace re-facing, and fireplace repair for years in Oakland County, MI.




We can help you create a warming environment with our properly constructed masonry fireplaces. During Michigan’s cold winters having a fireplace that is built correctly is critical. We can supply a specialized fireplace contractor for your fireplace needs.


Need a Michigan fireplace insert? We can supply a specialized fireplace contractor for your Michigan fireplace insert.

For A Chimney Inspection or Chimney Cleaning Call 313-255-3719

Here at Michigan fireplaces we strive to be the top Michigan fireplace company.
Chimney cleaning in Michigan is the same as chimney cleaning anywhere else; it is the removal of dangerous creosote build-up on the inside of the chimney. These deposits are highly flammable and are the cause of a great many fireplace chimney fires. Having a poorly built fireplace can also lead to chimney fires, or improper drafting.
A brick fireplace must be constructed with the utmost care. Fire brick must be laid to strict tolerances

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)