It’s the classic tale of old vs new - the old guard versus the young buck. Just as the CDs vs iPods and Blockbusters vs Netflix battles consistently divided opinion, fireplaces and log burners have been at loggerheads for years in a battle to become the most popular way of heating a living room. For the homeowners who are sat firmly on the fence, Cawarden Brick & Tile Co. outline the pros and con's of each system so you can pick a side once and for all.
Benefits of Fireplaces
For most homeowners, fireplaces offer more than just warmth to their home. Acting as the perfect centrepiece to any living room, their rustic and traditional appearance is one of the biggest selling points for these systems and is usually why many opt for fireplaces over log burners. When accompanied by a landscape of burning logs, your living room will be transformed into a tranquil getaway from the miserable weather on the other side of your windows.
In terms of practicalities and functionalities, fireplaces come into their own in smaller areas. At its highest point, a fireplace will kick out a comfortable level of heat and will provide some much-needed respite to the chilly conditions.
Drawbacks of Fireplaces
If you are looking for a way to heat your home right through, then fireplaces are not the heating system for you. As previously mentioned, fireplaces are a great way of heating a single room up, but the heat produced from the pit will not travel far enough to be able to heat your entire home.
If used without a guard and not maintained properly, then fireplaces can produce a lot of excess debris which can damage any carpets or flooring. Due to fireplaces being an open fire, there is always the possibility of ash and particles making their way onto your flooring, but purchasing a simple fire screen will counteract this issue. We have a number of reclaimed fireplace accessories available, so if you are looking to improve your fireplace, take a look at our list of products and find out more about all of them in our recent blog post.
Benefits of Log Burners
Often considered as the modern alternative to fireplaces, log burners and wood stoves were designed to eradicate all the problems associated with their ancestors. With that in mind, log burners and their glass screens prevent any debris from leaving the pit while still allowing you to marvel at the flames. By being connected to a smoke control kit, most log burners are also more beneficial to the environment, due to the smoke which is produced being processed before it is released through a chimney.
It can also be argued that log burners are more efficient than fireplaces. As the logs are locked into a more confined space, the heat which is created is usually of a higher temperature than what is generated from a fireplace, meaning the heat travels further and for longer, while also providing more heat in general.
Drawbacks of Log Burners
Evidently, the more you use your log burner then the more wood you are going to need to fuel it. Although this heating system burns at a higher temperature and travels further, they also require more logs, as the rate in which log burners consumes wood is far greater than that of a traditional fireplace.
Hopefully this list of pros and cons has helped shape your decision on whether to opt for the tried and trusted fireplace or the modern log burner. Whichever heating system you decide to purchase, you can find a number of reclaimed fireplaces and log burners at our site in Rugelely, Staffordshire, so come and take a look. For more information on all of our products and services, contact Cawarden today on 01889 574066 or leave us a message via our online form.