Choosing the Right Fireplace Logs
Nothing is more inviting in the cold of winter than a good-burning fire in the den. Homeowners that rely on their fireplace as a source of heat and ambience should know a few basic things about the different kinds of fireplace logs and how some are more ideal for certain situations than others. Being knowledgeable about it may not only save you money in the long run, but also prevent safety issue from arising.
The traditional source of fire in the hearth is of course wood logs. They have been the staple of indoor and outdoor fires since our more primitive ancestors stumbled onto the concept. Burning wood indoors can become cumbersome because of the soot and strong odor that it generates. A popular alternative to wood for indoor fireplaces are gas logs.
Gas logs come in two basic styles: vented or un-vented. Vented varieties are similar to wood because the fumes they emit generate a high amount of carbon monoxide into the air and therefore need ventilation in order to be used safely. Unlike wood, vented gas logs burn more efficiently and don’t reduce to cinder over time. They can burn hotter and infinitely longer than wood.
Un-vented gas logs, as the name implies, are not designed for use with ventilation systems. They do however generate considerable amounts of carbon monoxide and moisture so anyone using them is strongly encouraged to furnish the area around un-vented logs with carbon monoxide detectors. Overall, the un-vented style is far more dangerous than, and not nearly as common as, vented products.
