5 Great Reasons Your Home Needs a Wood-burning Stove

Published on: 28 June 2021 Last Updated on: 03 January 2025

When autumn begins to fade into winter, the temperature starts to reduce and gets even colder. The need to keep the house warm also arises. You definitely have some other form of heating your home since this won’t be your first winter. But your being here means that you are considering an alternative heating method.

The efficiency of wood-burning stoves is one of the many reasons one should be the alternative on your mind. But there are also so many other reasons and they would all be discussed in this article. But first, what are wood-burning stoves?

What Are Wood-burning Stoves?

Wood-burning stoves are home appliances that are made of metals like steel or cast iron and are used for heating the house. As the name implies, wood is the fuel for the stove and it is burnt inside a fire chamber that is usually enclosed.

The gases and fumes they produce have to be taken out of the room either through a flue or a chimney just like a traditional fireplace. Although these stoves have existed for a long time, they only just rose in popularity. And this is because more people have begun to appreciate their benefits.

But what are these benefits? Let’s find out below.

Reasons You Should Get a Wood-burning Stove

The following are the major reasons a wood-burning stove is a great heating system for the home…

1. Efficiency

The heat that this heating system produces is very impressive. Your home gets to enjoy a great form of heat output with one of these burner stoves. This means that the house will get warm effectively and a lot more quickly.

They come in various sizes and energy levels, this way you can select one that will adequately suit your home’s size

2. Stylish and Decorative

They not only get your house adequately warm, but they also provide aesthetics as they look so great. When one is placed in a room in the home, it is sure to become a new point of attraction by adding style and character to the room.

There are a lot of styles to choose from like contemporary or classic and so much more. You simply need to be deliberate when you shop for the burner and ensure you get one that will match the home’s décor.

3. Gives Your House a Homely Ambiance

When the weather is chilly and bent on making everyone miserable, one way to beat the weather is to get cozy at home. And a wood burner is sure to provide that homely ambiance that is much needed during this time.

The cozy heat from the burner and the roaring flames inside the fire chamber provide a calm and soothing visual impact that will leave you comfortable in no time. Visit https://apnews.com/article/a53e297b6fbc4481a0c917dc41c3842f to find out other ways you can stay comfortable during the cold season. You can sit in front of the fire with a cup of coffee while watching the flames dance.

4. Good for the Environment

We are in an age where eco-awareness is at its peak and a lot of people are trying their bests to do right for their environments. One way to contribute towards this goal of a better environment is a wood burner. How is this burner environmentally friendly you may ask.

Well, it is because wood which is the fuel of this type of burner is carbon neutral even though it releases carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon dioxide that is produced equals the amount that is consumed by trees which takes the carbon dioxide and then releases oxygen. This way, the burners do not impact the carbon dioxide level in the environment.

5. Cost-Efficient

Energy price is constantly going up and people are beginning to find it more expensive heating up their homes with electrical and gas means. Wood burners on the other hand are very energy efficient and thus help you save money that would otherwise have been used on the energy required by other home heating systems.

You will surely find this heating method a lot more economical as you will notice an obvious reduction in your heating bill. The heating bill is reduced and not cut off because you may still have to make use of the central heating where you haven’t placed a wood stove.

The initial cost of getting the burner bought and installed may be on the high side compared to other heating systems. But, we assure you that it would only be a matter of years for this cost to be gotten back through the energy-saving nature of the burner.

If you need to learn about more of its benefits, you can check here.

Conclusion

Getting a wood-burning stove may very well be the best decision you may make when it concerns heating your home. This article discusses 5 great reasons why this heating system is great for your home.

Read Also:

5 Things You Should Know About Heating and Cooling Tiny Homes
Advantages Of Using A Water Heater At Home

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How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Materials for Your Project?

Among the defining factors of your kitchen’s overall look are its cabinets. After all, in kitchen design, the cabinetry often serves as an anchor, the thing that ties every other design elements together to create a seamless look. As such, beyond style, what’s more, important is to choose the right materials for your kitchen cabinet. Reliable flat pack kitchen contractors can offer you a variety of kitchen cabinet material choices. Moreover, they can also recommend suitable materials and even combinations of materials to suit both style and practical function. Here’s a quick look into the most common materials used by cabinet makers. How to Choose the Right Kitchen Cabinet Materials for Your Project: Hardwood Cabinets You could say that hardwood kitchen cabinets are the grandfather of all kitchen cabinets. One of the main draws of using hardwood is that, because it’s a natural material that varies in grain from piece to piece, every kitchen cabinet will be equally unique. There are no two trees that are exactly alike, which means that even cabinets made from the same kind of hardwood will have subtle differences. Another benefit of hardwood is that it’s not only durable. It’s also easy to repair. Even inexperienced carpenters can DIY procedures like sanding, staining, or refinishing. Finally, there’s a wealth of options to choose from. Popular hardwood species include jarrah, marri, birch, cherry, maple, and oak. When it comes to downsides, however, the most common disadvantage people cite is that hardwoods tend to be heavy. As such, if you want pure hardwood cabinets, you have to make sure that there’s a sturdy enough structure to support them. Another drawback of hardwood kitchen cabinets is that they’re expensive, especially if you want fully customized designs. Some Perth kitchen cabinet makers will suggest combining hardwoods with other materials to help drive down the cost. Are hardwood cabinets right for your kitchen? If budget isn’t an issue and you want beautiful, long-lasting cabinets, hardwood is the best choice. Hardwood is also great for busy kitchens since it’s a heavy-duty material. Medium-Density Fibreboard Cabinets Medium-density fibreboard or MDF has gained popularity in the world of cabinetry, especially since IKEA has long been using it for their own kitchen cabinets and other furniture. The material is a composite of recycled wood fibers and wax, bound together by resin. The boards are made through high-pressure CNC milling, resulting in strong and dense material. Indeed, MDF is a versatile substrate, able to be painted, veneered, lacquered, laminated, or treated with almost any process or substance. MDF is also proven to be resistant to cracking and is considerably smoother than plywood. The one downside of MDF is that it needs to be properly sealed. Otherwise, it has a tendency to warp. You can use carpenter’s glue for this purpose, especially if you’re going to paint over the material. For some waterproofing, you can use the wood sealant, varnish, or a coat of moisture-resistant paint. Are MDF cabinets right for your kitchen? Those looking for more affordable yet high-quality alternatives can turn to MDF. Contemporary kitchens and those who love to DIY and customize will also benefit from MDF cabinets. Plywood Cabinets Plywood is made from multiple thin layers or plies of wood that are bound together by a combination of glue, heat, and pressure. The adjacent layers are rotated so that the grains are facing alternate directions. This technique, called cross-graining, enhances the material’s strength in all directions. Moreover, it helps prevent shrinkage and expansion, minimizes splitting of the layers (when nailed at the edges), and reduces warping. Many cabinet makers consider plywood excellent material. Apart from the benefits mentioned above, plywood is also moisture-resistant, light but sturdy, flexible, and easy to install. In case the cabinets get damaged, plywood is also quite easy to repair through DIY methods. Finally, plywood is also much less expensive compared to even the most affordable hardwood. Do remember that making plywood cabinets is all about choosing the right thickness. You’d want to use a thicker material on drawer bottoms, for example, or you risk it cracking or splitting if you put heavier items in it. Your kitchen cabinet maker likely already knows this, of course, but just make sure that you tell them what you need so they use the correct types of material. Also, ask where they source their plywood. Note that some lower-quality products may have gaps between the individual plies. Are our plywood cabinets right for your kitchen? Plywood is ideal if you’re working with a stricter budget but don’t want to compromise on quality. You may also want to consider plywood if you’re making your own cabinets since it’s an easy material to work with. Particleboard Cabinets Particleboard is often compared to plywood. Also called low-density fibreboard (LDF) or chipboard, particleboard is engineered from various recycled wood products like wood chips, sawdust, and wood shavings. These materials are glued together, then pressed and extruded to create sheets. As a final touch, particleboard is laminated or given a wood veneer for a better-looking appearance (as plain particleboard can be, well, plain-looking). The primary advantage of using particleboard for kitchen cabinets is that because it’s made from scrap materials, it’s very cheap. It’s also very lightweight. However, particleboard also tends to be on the lower end of the durability scale, especially when subjected to tension. Moreover, the material is prone to moisture damage and is not built to withstand sagging. Nonetheless, you can still find high-quality particleboards that are quite sturdy. Ask your kitchen cabinet maker to help you find the best ones. Are particleboard cabinets right for your kitchen? If your kitchen doesn’t see too much action and you don’t have any heavy equipment, particleboard cabinets and shelves will more than suffice. Stainless Steel Cabinets Finally, there’s stainless steel. Not many households opt for this material for kitchen cabinets. In fact, these are often seen only in industrial, professional-level kitchens. Nonetheless, stainless steel is an ideal material in the kitchen, both for cabinets and general usages like shelving and racks. It’s durable, doesn’t expand or contract, and resistant to most kinds of damage. Stainless steel can be difficult to clean, however, but it’s very hardy so it can withstand a lot of scrubbing and even harsh chemicals. This makes sterilizing a breeze. Nonetheless, you should also note that stainless steel cabinets tend to be expensive, sometimes costing even more than hardwood. Are stainless cabinets right for your kitchen? Do you consider yourself a chef in your own right? Do you often cook, not just for yourself but also for your family and friends? If you do, then stainless steel kitchen cabinets are perfect for you. Many of these materials, except perhaps for stainless steel, can be customized and combined with plenty of other materials, so the style isn’t the biggest issue. Therefore, in the end, choosing the right kitchen cabinet materials all boils down to two primary considerations: your budget and how often you’re going to use your kitchen. When you focus on these two, the decision will become simpler. Contact kitchens now for quality flat pack kitchens Read Also: Kitchen Renovations Must be Done at Regular Intervals 7 Tips for Getting Rid of Clutter in Your Home Top Secrets That Slash Your Kitchen Remodeling Bill in Half

Tips for Painting Interior Doors

Freshly painted doors can enhance the makeover of any house. You can paint your doors on your own or hire a professional painter to do it for you. Many people prefer painting their doors themselves as they want to enjoy painting them on their own. However, if you don’t have any experience or want high-quality paintwork, you should always hire professionals for complete painting service. If you choose to paint or spray paint your interior doors, you need to know some tips and skills to do the job right. Let us explore some tips by professional painters that you can use to paint your doors. Remove or cover the door handles: Paint can stain the door handles and locks. So, it is better to remove them or cover them with painter’s tape to prevent them from getting stained. You will need a screwdriver with multiple heads to remove the handles and locks. Call a locksmith to remove the inbuilt lock systems as they are difficult to remove. Removing these things will make it easy to clean, sand and then paint the doors. Fill the cracks and holes: If there are any holes or cracks in your doors, you can fill them with a wood filler, gypsum plaster, or a filling compound. Put a small amount of wood filler or filling compound on a putty knife and put it into the hole or crack uniformly. Place it as uniformly as possible and leave it to dry for at least two hours. Check the filling the next day, and it requires more filling, add the required amount of filling compound to fill the space completely. Sand the surfaces: The old paint gets worn and imperfections develop with time on the door surfaces. That is the reason why homeowners want to repaint their doors. Sanding removes the worn paint and imperfections easily and prepares the surfaces for a clean and uniform finish. Start painting with a Roller: If you have already chosen the paint color, mix several cans in a bucket so that you can have the same shade on every door. Sometimes, the shade in different cars can vary a little, although not noticeable in the interiors in low light. Use a 4-inch roller to apply a thin layer of paint on the door starting from an edge. If you want to paint the trim first, you can use a 2-inch brush. To remove any lines, move the lightly loaded brush or roller from bottom to top. Using this technique will help you paint quickly and uniformly while leaving a wet edge. Painting a paneled door: Many homes have paneled doors and the technique to paint them is different from painting a flat door. Paint every panel beginning from the upper left side downwards in a sequence. Always use a brush of appropriate width to paint a paneled door. Don’t worry if you paint a bit outside the edges of a panel. Once the edges are painted, use a small roller to paint the space between the panels. If the rollers of appropriate size are not available, use a 2-to-4-inch brush to paint the center of the panels. Minimize the drying time: Paint in light and uniform coats to minimize the drying time. Thick coats of paint take a bit longer to dry and may look nonuniform after drying. If you are using a brush, you should dip its bristles halfway in the paint and tap the brush against the container edge slightly to remove the excess paint. If you plan to use a roller, place it in a pan and use the back-and-forth strokes to paint uniformly without soaking it. Let the paint dry before installing knobs and locks: Let the paint dry completely before installing the doorknobs and locks. Also, tell your kids and family members not to touch the doors until they dry completely. Once they dry up completely, you can install the accessories and start using the doors as you use them normally. Final Words: Painting the doors is not difficult, even if you are painting them for the first time. All you need to do is to follow the correct sequence of steps, use the right size of tools and prepare the surfaces before grabbing a brush or roller. Following these tips can help you to paint your interior doors easily and conveniently. Read Also: 10 Pro Tips To Minimize Commercial Door Repair & Maintenance Cost All About Commercial Fire Doors Why Should you Consider Security Doors for Your House?

Why You Should Service Your Worcester Boiler with SmartGas Edinburgh

If you need a new water heater, it may seem like an insurmountable annoyance to take care of it yourself. Thankfully, if you’re in the Edinburgh area, SmartGas can help you along your way with the following options available to you for work on your home. Installing New Equipment A new boiler can lower energy bills and improve the quality of heating and hot water for your home, saving money over time. But selecting the appropriate model is essential - to do this successfully, find a local company offering free home surveys where you can compare features and prices until you find your ideal boiler! SmartGas of Edinburgh is one of Edinburgh's premier boiler companies, providing homeowners with repair, replacement, maintenance (https://www.homeownershub.com/uk-diy/diy-boiler-servicing-69171-.htm) and financing to cover the costs associated with purchasing their new boiler. With these installers, you can be confident they'll do a quality job. An annual service will ensure that it's functioning optimally and safely, and reduce the risk of it breaking down or creating other issues. Plus, getting it serviced means less expensive repairs down the line! If you're in Edinburgh looking for servicing, make sure that any company you hire is registered with Gas Safe - this official register lists only qualified engineers allowed to legally perform gas work - plus, being insured gives you peace of mind that they'll treat your home with care and consideration. Air-source heat pumps offer another alternative for your heating needs: these highly efficient devices take advantage of latent heat in the air even at lower temperatures to provide both heating and hot water heating needs - cutting energy costs by up to 50 percent in many homes! SmartGas can install air-source heat pumps into your home after creating access points inside and fixing their units outside. Repairing Existing Equipment An annual service is a cost-effective solution to ensure that your boiler remains functioning at optimal performance. A fully qualified engineer can spot any potential faults which could turn into full breakdowns, saving both money and inconvenience by keeping your machine in great shape for as long as possible. An annual service starts with inspecting its exterior parts for corrosion or damage, then having an engineer open up its casing to examine its interior - including heat exchanger, burners, main injector and safety devices as well as condensation trap and fan testing to make sure everything is running as it should be. Once everything is reviewed, an engineer will fire up your boiler and take readings of gas pressure and flow. They will also inspect temperature controls as well as flue terminals to make sure they remain intact and unblocked; finally, they may also clean your combustion blower/fan as necessary. Once your boiler has been tested, it is crucial to inspect for carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. CO is a deadly, colourless and tasteless gas which should never be inhaled directly, which is why Worcester boiler service Edinburgh is so important. These pros can install alarms for carbon monoxide; they should be installed throughout your entire home. According to HSE advice, this should occur especially in living areas or bedrooms. Your engineer will also test the flue gasses and inspect air vents to make sure they remain clear and free from obstruction. In addition, they'll ensure all seals remain undamaged with no signs of leaking or corrosion present. SmartGas' engineers understand the importance of regular services for keeping Worcester machines operating at peak performance, with any issues they identify before they worsen and fixing them before becoming costly repairs later on down the line. It may be worth considering a regular service plan rather than paying one-off fees as payments will be spread over an extended period. Servicing Your Boiler Every year it's wise to have your machine serviced by an engineer registered with Gas Safe or OFTEC to ensure its proper and safe functioning. A regular service usually costs around 120 including VAT; summer tends to be the ideal time as engineers tend to be less busy. An engineer will first inspect your boiler's exterior for signs of corrosion or leakage, before opening up its casing to examine its interior - particularly its heat exchanger, burner, safety devices and flue terminals as well as take readings of gas pressure and flow rates. They'll also perform gas pressure and flow measurements before firing up your boiler to see how it runs - and checking thermostats and controls to make sure they're functioning appropriately. Reputable engineers follow all procedures recommended by your boiler manufacturer, so you can have peace of mind knowing your machine is being serviced to the highest standards. They'll also provide you with a service report detailing everything they've checked and their findings. Professionally inspecting your heating system can also make it more energy-efficient and reduce energy costs, since a well-maintained boiler won't have to work as hard to heat your property. According to estimates, heating accounts for approximately 55% of a typical household's energy bill; so making this investment can help save money! Get your service annually. Engineers from this company will visit your home and carefully consider your heating requirements before suggesting an ideal boiler for you and your property. This ensures you receive maximum benefits from your new purchase without paying over-inflated prices for models that do not match up well with what will work for your heating needs. An added benefit of having it inspected or looked at regularly, as I’ve said above is that it can save money on energy costs. As heating accounts for 55% of household energy usage costs, regular servicing can bring a significant reduction in heating-related energy expenditure costs. Replacing Your Machine SmartGas is one company that’s on hand to assist. Not only are they the most affordable in the city, but they will match you up with a boiler designed specifically to suit your home environment. SmartGas engineers will inspect the boiler for any potential faults, cleaning and inspecting its safety components to keep it operating safely and efficiently. Once finished, they will create a detailed record of their findings that you can keep for your records. Faulty pipes can cause significant damage to your boiler and result in costly repairs, necessitating costly insulation services from approved installers to insulate them and keep them from freezing, while at the same time helping it run more efficiently and preventing condensation which leads to build-ups of sludge and limescale build-ups. To minimize costs associated with this issue, these insulation services must be carried out regularly. Doing this effectively requires regular insulation services from approved installers as this will prevent pipe freezing from freezing while increasing efficiency and reducing condensation accumulation of build-up which in turn helps run a more efficient operation resulting in less repairs needed due to build-up of sludge and limescale build-ups from condensation prevention techniques used on an installed by trained professional installer. Read Also: Home Warranty Plans: How To Choose The Right One We Buy Houses Companies Saving Homeowners From Foreclosure Top Fixer-Upper Improvement Ideas That Make A Huge Impact

5 Great Reasons Your Home Needs a Wood-burning Stove

What Are Wood-burning Stoves?