As the autumn leaves glow and the weather grows colder, we are reminded each day how fortunate we are to have a safe haven from the elements.
Winter clothes come out; a cup of hot chocolate in the morning, and a comfy blanket on the couch make for a perfect combination, but there’s just something about a fire in a fireplace that tops off that warm, cozy feeling we all crave.
Fireplaces provide a strong focal point around which you can design your room, and there’s no better time to add or update a fireplace than when you’re remodeling, says Kevin Sandell, sales associate at Majestic Distributing Co., in Elgin.
With 50 fireplace models in its showroom, Majestic Distributing Co. works with homeowners to find the best system for their setting. Advancements in fireplace systems leave many more options beyond the traditional wood-burning or gas-burning units. Those traditional systems tend to warm a room but suck a lot of hot air up the chimney. Sealed-combustion units, by contrast, look like traditional fireplaces and burn like traditional gas units, but their design allows them to quickly radiate heat.
Electric fireplaces are growing in popularity, as well. Depending on the look you’re going for, they can be anywhere from very traditional to ultra-modern, or somewhere in between.
“There are units that use light and shadow or reflection to simulate flames,” says Sandell. “There are others using ultrasonic water vapor and steam to give a flame effect, because there are no flames in an electrical unit.”
Traditional fireplaces can be easily retrofitted with newer, more efficient units, and installation typically requires few modifications, says Sandell. These inserts, which are typically sealed-combustion units, fit right into an existing unit and existing gas line.
“Our tagline says this: “A house is just a house until it has a fireplace,” says Sandell. “Then, it’s a home.” ❚
Majestic Distributing Company is located at 1255 Bowes Road, Elgin, (847) 741-6464.