NYC Fireplaces & Outdoor Kitchens

Posts Tagged ‘installation’

Design Inspiration

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on September 21, 2012 at 7:28 pm

Recent Brooklyn Installation of Westgate DV48 Gas Fireplace

Have you seen our Houzz page yet? Take a look or visit the showroom for some design inspiration.

Once the installation is completed, fireplaces can be finished to fit any room’s theme. Here are a few things to remember when choosing materials:

– Love the way a television looks above a fireplace? Some advertisements don’t include it, but we always recommend installing a shelf or mantel in between to deflect the rising heat.

– Noncombustible material should be installed around the fireplace per local code and the manufacturer’s installation manual (if installing a factory built fireplace).

– Some materials to consider are: stone, tile, or man-made materials like Cultured Stone. Mantels, cabinets or other wood details should be installed per the combustible clearances outlined in the manufacturer’s manual or local coding.

More questions? Check out FAQ page. Still can’t find an answer? Give us a call at (718) 326-4328.

The Hidden Dangers of a Vent Free Gas Fireplace

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on March 31, 2012 at 6:47 pm

One of the questions we hear often is, “I can’t vent, can you show us your vent less fireplaces?”

Sure we can. We show our client electric and bioethanol options. These units appeal to many of our clients because of  their versatility and little maintenance. Then there are clients who know what they are looking for – ventless gas fireplaces. We can NOT show you these for two reasons:

1- Our showroom is located in Queens, NY, one of the five boroughs of New York City. It is illegal to install these within the five boroughs, so naturally we do not have them on display.

2- They are not healthy, nor do we recommend them. Here are a few reasons why:

  • they are UGLY! Every vent free gas fireplace has these unsightly louvers surrounding the viewing area.
  • because they are not vented, they circulate and burn the air inside of your home which can include: dust, animal hair, and other particles. This can result in an unpleasant odor and dust mites.
  • byproducts will enter your home: CO2, CO, NOX, aldahides, water vapor.
  • they can produce hundreds of gallons of water, leading to water vapor.
  • bad for breathing: children and adults.
Take a look at the video below for more information:

Dangers of a Vent Free Fireplace

Outdoor Kitchens: Revisited

In Outdoor Kitchens on March 24, 2012 at 6:24 pm

In the past week we’ve had several clients interested in our outdoor kitchen products. Some were looking to replace an old grill, others were adding on to an existing kitchen. Whether you’re looking for additional products to complete your outdoor area or starting from scratch, we can achieve your vision.

The first step is to visit the showroom. We have two bar islands set up, where you can actually touch and feel the quality of our products. One of our sales reps will walk you through each item and answer any questions you might have.

We can come to your home, take measurements and plan how the outdoor equipment will fit within your vision (and budget!). From our visit, we’ll create an AutoCAD drawing (see below for examples). This will give you a solid idea of the final product.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when designing your outdoor kitchen:

– Don’t crowd your area with appliances and equipment. You will need counter space to prepare food and drinks!

– Think about the distance to the nearest sink or garbage disposal. Will you be needing these items? Or are they unnecessary?

– Will you be running electric/gas/water lines?

– Think quality. Most outdoor kitchens will be exposed to the elements, even with heavy-duty covers. You don’t want to have to  replace your grill a year or two after installing it. Same goes for outdoor furniture, opt for wrought iron to avoid rusting.

– Love the idea of a brick oven? You don’t have to construct it, saving time and money. We have several prefab ovens in different sizes for sale.

We sell outdoor products by: FireMagic, American Outdoor Grill, Viking, Napoleon, Vermont Castings and Others…

Stop by during the week or on a Saturday

to get your backyard ready for the summer!

Napoleon Dream for Sale! & New Video Page

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on March 15, 2012 at 4:00 pm

Our Napoleon Dream BGD90 is for sale!

It is fully optioned including wrought iron decorative square frame with arched rail inset,  country crane and hearth pot, thermostatic remote and night lighting. See image below:


Fully Featured Napoleon Dream

RETAIL: $9,300.00

SALE PRICE: $5,400.00

We’ve also added a video page to our website, here you can see a number of Napoleon and Town & Country units burning at the HBP Expo. Here’s a few below:

For a complete listing of videos, visit our website.

New Product: Westgate Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on February 29, 2012 at 5:13 pm

Westgate in Our Showroom

Westgate Luxury Fireplaces are a new line of products by the Sherwood Industries Ltd. There are two sizes: DV48 and DV62. Both use standard piping, allowing for a wider variety of installation options.

They are both clean face units and come with a wide variety of options:

– 3 Burner Styles : Log – Glass – Stone

– 8 Firebox Liners : Black Porcelain – Red, Brown & October Brick – Sand & Red Herringbone – Sandstone & Ledgestone

– 9 Door Options

– Smart Thermostat Remote allows you to thermostatically modulate the flames, turn off the back burner and operate the interior lighting

– Can be used with automatic ignition or pilot

– Optional Power Vent/Propane Conversion

Westgate with a Traditional Setup

Transitional Westgate

 

Summer 2012: Outdoor Kitchens

In Outdoor Kitchens on February 23, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Many visitors to our showroom love the outdoor kitchen display, but are intimidated by the price tag. We only carry top-of-the-line, high-quality products, they are worth the splurge for several reasons:

1- Consider how often you and your family enjoy your backyard. Are you someone who enjoys the privacy of your own property rather than going on vacation? An outdoor kitchen would make dining outdoors extra special and convenient.

2- Forget about replacing your grills yearly. With FireMagic’s lifetime warranty, if your burners burn through or your grates begin to corrode FireMagic replaces these parts free of charge. This makes buying a pricey grill worth the investment.

3- Outdoor kitchens increase the value of your home. It will make your home stand out on the market and appeal to buyers who are searching for similar amenities.

An outdoor setup doesn’t have to cost you $40,000. A durable grill and a small counter top is a perfect addition to any backyard. In the future you  may decide to add islands, refrigerators, searing stations, etc.

Here are a few photos to inspire:

Come stop by our showroom, where you can touch these products and see the quality workmanship for yourself!

Fireplace Installation

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on February 17, 2012 at 3:55 pm

Every fireplace installation is different, but  the most basic installation is done on an exterior, blank wall. There are several steps involved including framing, sheetrocking, building a platform, and of course venting, assembling and installing the unit. Some clients choose to have their contractor complete the framing and finishing work, but it is important to have a certified installer install your fireplace.

The above photos show an unfinished installation. Once the wall is framed out you can finish it with stone or tile, install a mantel and a stone surround, or install a mantel cabinet. The options are endless, it’s all about how you’d like your fireplace to look.

Above are a few ways we’ve put the finishing touch on fireplace installations. We used cultured stone to give it a more rustic feel in Queens and the Hamptons.

Stop by the showroom today to speak with one of our sales representatives. You can see for yourself the quality of the various stone and tile samples we have on display.

Mantels: Give an Old Fireplace a New Look

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on January 15, 2012 at 8:18 pm

Whether you have a masonry fireplace or a factory built unit, mantels are a great way to spruce up an existing fireplace.

Mantels can be made out of wood or stone. Wood can be painted or stained to match existing furniture or cabinetry. Many customers visit the showroom with several pictures of mantels seen in magazines or online. We can replicate these styles! Every mantel is custom made for your individual application, generally taking 3-4 weeks to manufacture.

Below are a few photos of the options on display in our showroom.

Cherry Oak Stain

 

White Poplar Painted Mantel

 

Cast Stone Mantel & Over Mantel

 

Fireplace Xtrodinair 864

 

Recent Installation of cherry oak mantel

 

Safety Tips for Wood Burning Fireplaces

In Gas, Electric and Wood Fireplaces on December 30, 2011 at 9:43 pm

When dealing with fire you can never be too safe. Here are a few tips on how to safely enjoy the warmth of a wood burning fireplace:

Recent installation of a Heatilator wood burning fireplace, cherry oak mantle and marble surround.

— Don’t use too much paper to build a fire.
— Never burn charcoal indoors; it can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
— Keep flammable materials away from the mantle.
— Before you go to sleep, be sure a fire is out.
— Never break a synthetic log apart or use more than one at a time; they often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
— Never close the damper with hot ashes in the fireplace; it could cause the fire to heat up and force carbon monoxide into the house.
— If you leave ashes in the fireplace, make sure there’s a metal screen or glass partition in place.
— If you scoop ashes, put them in a metal container and place it well away from the house. Embers can remain hot enough to start a fire as long as a day later.

Happy New Years!

Fireplace Maintenance: Prepare for Winter

In Outdoor Kitchens on December 2, 2011 at 3:40 pm

'Tis the Season!

The colder weather and upcoming holidays have many homeowners scrambling to have their fireplaces ready. We’ve been getting many maintenance requests daily.

Here are a few steps you can take to prep your fireplace for the winter:

Wood Fireplaces

  • Both masonry and factory-built wood burning fireplaces should be swept annually.
  • Check the refractory panels to make sure they are in good shape.
  • If you have glass doors, you can clean them with water and a soft cloth. For serious soot buildup add a little vinegar or give us a call to order glass cleaner.

Gas Fireplaces

  • Gas fireplaces require very little maintenance. If your fireplace operates with a standing pilot, make sure it is OFF prior to any cleaning.
  • Check the logs for any soot buildup, this can be removed with a rag.
  • If you have glass doors, you can clean them with water and a soft cloth. For serious soot buildup add a little vinegar or give us a call to order glass cleaner.
Electric Fireplaces
  • Replace any burnt out bulbs. The newer units use LED technology and won’t require any replacement bulbs for some time.
  • Get rid of any smudges or marks with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.
 
All factory built fireplaces come with an installation/owner’s manual. Consult this for any specific maintenance questions or contact the manufacturer.

Keep it mind, it all depends how much you use your unit. If you frequently use your fireplace for supplemental heat, you should clean it more often.

If we have installed your unit, give us a call to schedule a Maintenance Visit.

Happy Holidays from all of us at NYC Fireplaces!