Fireplace Hearths Need Fireplace Spark Guards

Ever since the very first fires were built in primitive shelters to ward off the cold and darkness, the warmth of flames dancing on a hearth has been a primal source of comfort and safety. In every age and in every part of the world, people have made a hearth the center of their homes - for heating, for cooking, and for gathering together. And over the years, as dwellings became increasingly elaborate, their owners devised ever more beautiful and varied ways to contain and frame their fires - with stone and wood, tile and copper.

Even in today's high-tech, urban world, the lure of the fireplace is compelling. According to recent statistics gathered by the remodeling and real estate industries, a fireplace is one of the most popular features sought by people when buying a home. Adding a fireplace or stove to an existing home can add to is value.

Thanks to new fireplace and stove technologies, materials, and designs, there are more fireside possibilites than ever before. You can choose a traditional wood-burning fireplace built of sturdy stone and brick, or you can opt for a heat-efficient, environmentally friendly prefabricated fireplace or stove that can be fueled by gas, wood pellets, or even electricity. Select a freestanding European fireplace designed to deliver radiant heat throughout your house, or install a sleekly comtemporary wood stove. These days, you can have a fireplace just about anywhere in your home - from the living room to the kitchen to the bathroom - as well as outdoors, warming your patio or porch.

Whether you are installing a fireplace or stove in a new home or addition or want to upgrade an existing fireplace, you'll want to take some time to plan your project. You'll want to consider fireplace and stove technologies, both new and old, as there are many different ways to upgrade your fireplace's appearance and for creative decorating on and around your fireplace. You'll especially want to take a close look at the options awaiting you when you begin shopping for your fireplace or stove and accessories.