Fireplaces on the second floor?

Most people enjoy the warmth and ambiance of a fireplace.  Sitting by a crackling fire while watching the snow drift slowly down to cover the landscape is reminiscent of a Currier and Ives print. That’s the great part of owning a fireplace. The other side of the coin is the amount of work it takes to operate a fireplace.  Hauling in the wood and carrying out the ashes is just a part of it. You also have to make sure that the entire fireplace and chimney systems are fully functional.

Many older homes have fireplaces on separate floors. This was common before central heating came along, and the fireplaces were an important part of heating the home. More often than not, these fireplaces come with separate flue and chimney systems. That way, the smoke from each fireplace stays separate.

Sometimes lighting a fire in one fireplace causes smoke to come out of the fireplace that’s not burning. This happens because we’ve learned how to properly insulate our homes and keep them buttoned up tight in cold weather. As a result, when you light a fire on a cold day, the air pressure outside your home becomes higher that the air pressure inside. When one fireplace it lit, it needs airflow, and that second chimney is a great source of that air. The smoke can be sucked into the other chimney and into your home. Cracking a window or door can alleviate this problem. The other solution would be to add a top mount damper to your flue.

If you’re considering adding a second fireplace to your home, you have many options. Unless you want a full masonry fireplace and hearth, adding an additional fireplace can be relatively easy. In this situation a gas fireplace may be the best solution.

The primary concern when adding a gas fireplace is proper venting. Venting a gas fireplace is typically less involved than a traditional wood burning fireplace, and some gas fireplaces are even designed to be vent free. In addition to wood and gas, there are very efficient and effective electric fireplaces available.

Fireplace Warehouse proudly serves the fireplace needs of the area with locations in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. We offer the best in sales and customer service and can provide you and your family with a wide selection of gas or electric fireplaces, outdoor firepits, patio fireplaces, gas and charcoal grills, and outdoor kitchens. Not only do we sell a broad range of products, but we also offer fireplace service and maintenance. Our highly trained technicians are certified by the National Fireplace Institute and can provide the best in customer service. For more information about the products and services we offer, visit our website, or contact us at any of our three locations. Denver-303-296-3823 Colorado Springs-719-593-0355 Fort Collins-970-305-4775. Better yet, stop by one our showrooms! We look forward to serving you.