When choosing and installing a fireplace, the shopping doesn’t end with the mantel. You will also want to choose from the wide array of fireplace tool sets available. Even if you don’t need the set for functionality, due to the type of fireplace you have a fireplace tools set provide an additional opportunity to decorate your home. They can help provide an authentic fireplace experience.

Firstly a fireplace tool set provides functionality for those fireplaces who have a wood burning fireplace of any kind. This type of fire requires maintenance to continue burning, and also requires tools for proper cleanup. A fireplace set includes the tools necessary for this. Most sets consist of three pieces, although there are some with four. You will want to make sure the tools are good quality and will stand up well to use. You may also want to consider the comfort of the handle for gripping.

The first tool is a stoker, or poker. This tool allows for manipulation of the burning fuel without burning yourself. Sometimes the fire needs to be arranged to allow for better airflow, or for other reasons, and this too allows you to do so.

Another fireplace set tool is tongs. These tongs allow you to grasp and move bigger pieces, like a burning log. This task could be difficult to achieve with the poker alone.

The last two tools work together. There is the brush, which essentially serves as a miniature broom for the soot and ash that accumulates after the fire dies. The shovel is its companion. In additional to serving as a dustpan it can be used alone to scoop up leftover debris after the fire.

While fireplace tool sets are essential for wood-burning fireplace owners, they can also be purchased by any fireplace owner to add a finishing touch to your fireplace. There are many styles available to suit many different tastes. If you are purchasing the tool set for looks alone, you don’t have to worry as much about the quality. The tools won’t have to stand up to use, they just have to stand as a decorative element.

If you are interested in a black fireplace tool set, it will likely be constructed in wrought iron. Iron is the most common material that fireplace tools are constructed from. These can look very traditional, but there are also some more intricate designs constructed of iron.

Brass is another popular option among fireplace tool sets. Brass provides a more formal look. You can find sets that are made from a combination of materials as well. A wrought iron tool with a brass handle is one example.

One of the options available are mini fireplace tool sets. These generally stand around 20 inches high, while standard sets stand at about 30 inches in height. Although they are smaller, their price is comparable to that of standard sets.

A tool set for your fireplace can provide functionality, beauty, or both. There are many options available to satisfy your fireplace tool needs.

Fireplace mantel shelves can be purchased separately, but they are often sold along with the fireplace, or the surround. An easy way to update your existing fireplace would be to replace the mantel shelf with something new. It’s amazing how much a new mantel shelf can improve the look of an outdated fireplace. Fireplace mantel shelves can even be used for decoration somewhere other than above the fireplace. There are some creative and stunning looks that can be produced using the shelving.

Wood fireplace mantel shelves are the most common. All types of wood are used for this application: pine, oak, cherry, etc. There are no limitations on what you can find. Wood can easily be carved with a simple or very ornate design. Wood shelves look great and can be matched with any sort of décor. In addition, they go well with many types of fireplaces. A stone fireplace can look great with a wood mantel shelf. They can be stained to the color of your choosing, or painted. A wood shelf that has been painted white can look very stunning up against a marble tile fireplace.

You can purchase these mantels finished, and add them to your fireplace. Also, you can find shelves that are unfinished that you can paint or stain how you wish. This may allow you to save money, but don’t forget to consider the amount of time you will need to spend finishing the product.

Stone fireplace mantel shelves are a little less common. This is likely because they generally cost more, and are more difficult to work with. This is partly because they are much heavier that wood shelves. One of the most common types of stone mantel shelves are cast-stone. This is a man made stone that has some benefits over natural stone. It is less expensive, and not as heavy.

Rustic fireplace mantel shelves are great on river rock or slate fireplaces. One great way to get a rustic look is to use your favorite type of wood, but leave it unfinished. Or, even slice a log in half, remove the bark and sand as needed, and use the log as the shelf.

Contemporary fireplace mantel shelves are pretty popular. What makes them contemporary is not only the material they are made of, but the design of the shelf. A lot of these modern shelves are made out of darker stained woods, or even metal. These styles generally include simple lines.

And electric fireplace heater is a popular and reasonable option. Electricity is easily accessible, and that makes this type of heater reasonable for any person. All you need is a standard electrical outlet. It avoids the potential problem of a gas fireplace, and if you don’t have gas in your home, you don’t have to make any updates.

Another reason electric fireplace heaters are popular is their portability. Unlike standard fireplaces, they don’t have a chimney or any other kind of venting; this allows you to move the unit freely. You can be sure when you purchase a fireplace like this that you will be able to use it for years, even if your future includes moving. That more than you can say for a traditional fireplace.

The great thing is that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for all this convenience. The artificial flame may not look quite as realistic as the real thing, but they still provide the cozy atmosphere you expect from a fireplace. You can choose from heaters that have the cabinet look of a traditional fireplace, or heaters that look like wood stoves.

Amish fireplaces heaters are an increasingly common option. The Amish make the cabinetry of the unit, which is where the unit gets its name. It provides the look of a fireplace without the hassle of installing a traditional one. The cost of the unit is much less than installing a standard fireplace in your home, but isn’t the cheapest option available.

Another type of heater is one designed for those who already have an existing fireplace. This type of heater is place in the existing masonry of the fireplace. A fireplace grate heater increases the efficiency of a traditional fireplace. It does this by holding the logs of your fire which increases are circulation. Most of these types of heaters also have a blower that helps blow the heated air into the room. You will need to have access to electricity for the blower function to work on the heater.

The design element is what elevates the cost of a fireplace heater. If you are looking for additional heat, but not the design element, a heater like these may not be for you. You may instead want to consider purchasing a space heater. They will still provide additional heat, but don’t provide any sort of aesthetically pleasing features.

You may have a fireplace that never had glass doors. You can choose to install glass doors on your fireplace if you wish. They can provide safety, and also protect your home from drafts when the fireplace is not in use. You may also need to replace existing doors on a fireplace if they have become broken, or stopped functioning properly. Many doors available have both a glass, and screen door. Be sure the dimensions of the doors fit the opening of your fireplace before purchasing.

Fireplace glass screens are generally made of three panels, although you kind find some with four. These panels fold and allow the screen to stand alone. For a wood-burning fireplace, the screen should stand three to four inches above the opening of the fireplace. These protect you and your floor from any sparks or flame that may pop out of the fireplace. These screens should be made from tempered glass if you plan on using them to protect you from the fire. Although a screen is functional, and can provide safety, they can also provide beauty.

A stained glass fireplace screen can add a lot of beauty to your fireplace. There are stunning designs available. The glass is generally enclosed in steel framing. You will want the glass you choose to complement the fireplace and the rest of the room. These stained glass fireplace screens can range in price from one hundred to two thousand dollars. Many of these screens are for decorative purposes only. Be sure if you need the screen for functionality, you buy the appropriate screen.

Whether the glass on your fireplace is part of a decorative screen or on the doors of the fireplace themselves, you’ll need to clean it. There are several different ways of cleaning fireplace glass. Before cleaning the glass however, you should check the manufacturer’s directions to make sure you follow the proper procedure. This is especially important if the glass is still under warranty. You wouldn’t want to void your warranty by cleaning the glass improperly. One tip for however you choose to clean the glass is to do it regularly. The less buildup there is on the glass, the easier it will be to clean.

One method is to use household ammonia. This may do the trick, and isn’t an expensive option. Or you may choose to use an ammonia based cleaner. Some recommend using oven cleaner.

If you don’t have ammonia on hand, you can actually use the ashes from the fire. Wad a piece of newspaper into a ball and get it damp with water, then dip it into the ashes and use to clean the glass. The ash helps remove soot from the door. This method can take more time and work than ammonia.

A last resort can be to scrape caked on layers of soot with a flat razor blade. If you choose this options be very careful! You don’t want to scratch the surface of the glass.

You may choose to purchase an electric fireplace log for looks alone. Electric fueled artificial flame used to look much less realistic than it can now. Technology advances have produced a “flame” that looks much more authentic than it used to. You can create the ambience of a wood-burning fire without the mess. Many models have various degrees of brightness. You can often control the logs with a remote. The logs can be purchase separately and put in your fireplace, or whatever location you feel is best, in your home. For those people who simply can’t get past the missing the sound of a fire, there is an option for you. There are electric fireplace logs that make a crackling noise. They have a mechanism hidden in the log to produce these sounds.

Electric logs for fireplace require very little maintenance. They do have light bulbs that assist in giving the appearance of flame. These will need to be replaced occasionally. The type of light bulb depends on the logs you have purchased. These bulbs should be easy to find in your hardware store, or sometimes even super store.

You may be looking for an electric fireplace logs heater. Many of these logs provide heat in addition to the look of the flame. These generally have a thermostat so you can control the level of heat. Electric fireplace logs with heater are usually found in enclosed units to be purchase together. It is possible to find some logs with the heat that are sold separately. You’ll want to make sure when you are purchasing the product that the power cord is long enough you can place the heater where you want it and still have access to power source.

An electric fireplace log insert is an ever increasingly popular option. Likely because electricity is so readily available and the units are inexpensive. These inserts can be place in your existing fireplace. You don’t even have to worry if the chimney or flue isn’t functioning because they require no venting. They are more heat efficient, and still provide the look of a fireplace. And you don’t have to sacrifice the warmth of a fire due to their fan-forced heat. An insert can save you a lot of money if you were formerly considering remodeling an old fireplace because it wasn’t functioning properly.

A wrought iron fireplace tool set is a traditional option. Wrought iron is a solid option. Wrought iron stands up well to heavy use. Iron may not look as formal as you prefer. If you would rather have a more formal set, a brass fireplace tool set may be better suited to your taste. Brass looks more formal. You can find brass plated sets, and also sets that are made of solid brass. Various styles can be found in both this materials. A simple design can suit more styles, but there are more intricate designs that could complement your décor. Fireplace tool sets can be found in other materials as well. Some of the other materials you can find are copper, stainless steel, and pewter.

You can easily find a rustic fireplace tool set. A rustic set would go well next to the fireplace in a cabin, or a more country style home. Another style available is an antique fireplace tool set. You can find sets that are designed to appear antique, but you can also find sets that truly are. The age of theses sets may make them more expensive.

Considering functionality, what exactly do fireplace tool sets include? There are several pieces that most tool sets have. The fireplace poker allows you to move the burning fuel of your fire from a safe distance. A fireplace shovel essentially serves as a miniature dustpan for ash and soot. It can also be used for larger debris like embers or coals. The brush is the shovel’s companion and is used to sweep the ashes into the shovel. Fireplace tongs can assist in moving a burning log. Most sets also include a stand to hold the individual tools.

A fireplace tool set is not the only accessory you may want for your fire. There are other fireplace accessories you may want to consider as well. Andirons are metal supports that usually come in pairs. These supports hold up the wood in the fireplace. A fireplace screen is another common accessory. The screen will help protect you and your home from the sparks of your fire.

Whether you need a tool set for your fireplace, or you just want the set to improve the look of your fireplace, there is a tool set for you. They can be found just for functionality, just for looks, or can fulfill both purposes.

One of the things to consider when selecting your tools is what material they should be made of. Iron and brass are two popular materials for these tools, but they can also be found in copper, brushed nickel, stainless steel, graphite and bronze, to name a few. Since they are the most common we will look closer at both brass and iron tools.

Brass tools tend to look and be more expensive. They are more formal looking, and come in a variety of styles. They are available in solid brass, but you can also find brass plated steel sets. These sets don’t stand up as well to heavy use. If you are only using the tools as decoration and prefer the brass look, this may be the best option for you. Wrought iron fireplace tools are generally more casual, but can also be found in a variety of styles. The material you choose will likely depend on the look and design of the room. For example: brass fireplace tools may look too formal for a cozy cabin fireplace, while iron tools would look right at home.

Another thing to consider is whether to buy a fireplace tool set, or buy the tools individually. Purchasing the tools as a set ensures that the look will be consistent between pieces. If you are looking for tools that vary more in size, consider purchasing them separately. You may also choose to purchase the tools separately if you only want the tool, or tools you use most frequently next to the fire.

Fireplace tool sets generally come with three pieces and an accompanying stand; a poker (or stoker), shovel and broom. The shovel and broom are used to sweep away and dispose of remaining ash, and the poker is used to move the burning material. Some sets also include an additional fireplace tool, a pair of tongs. The tongs can be used to place a new log on the fire, or to move it once in place. In addition to these tools, you may want to purchase a log holder, or a fireplace screen.

Lastly, consider the size of your fireplace. You want to be sure you can use the tools and remain a safe distance from the fire.