|
3
Good Reasons to Add a Fireback to Your Fireplace
|
|
Protection
& Safety |
|
|
As
our colonial forefathers well knew, the rear
masonry of their fireplace was quite vulnerable
to damage inflicted by the intense heat
generated by burning logs. They relied on
firebacks to help preserve the integrity of
their fireplaces. Today's fireplaces,
despite advances in refractory materials, are
still vulnerable. And firebacks still represent
the best means of reducing the likelihood of
expensive damage to masonry, as well as the
supporting studs behind the firewall, which tend
to dry out with excessive heat, deteriorating
and becoming a possible fire hazard. |
|
|
Heat
Reflection |
|
With
a fireback positioned in your fireplace, a
portion of the heat which is normally lost, is
reflected back into the living area of your
home. In effect, the fireback functions as a
heat radiator, increasing the efficiency of your
fireplace by as much as 50%. |
|
|
Beauty
& History |
|
An
added, and often overlooked bonus of a fireback
is that it permits the use of more attractive
materials to line the firebox. White stucco,
old paving bricks, stone, etc. can be specified
in new construction, whereas in existing
fireplaces, these materials have been applied
over the yellow brick so common in most
fireplaces today. In addition, the beauty and
historical significance of the fireback itself
lends charm to any fireplace. |
General
Fireback Tips
|
|
How
to Select the Proper Size Fireback |
|
Your
fireback should be at least large enough to
protect the area of the rear wall directly
behind the fire. Also, the top of the fireback
should not extend into the flue opening;
otherwise, it may choke off the draft or
interfere with the damper. Aside from
these factors, size is pretty much an aesthetic
choice. Generally, with a rear wall 30" to
48" wide, you can allow 4" to 15"
on either side of the fireback. This provides a
fair amount of leeway in allowing the same size
fireback to be used in different sized
fireplaces. |
|
|
Instructions
for Use with Gas-burning Fireplace |
|
The
Country Iron Foundry firebacks are glowingly
highlighted by the flames of gas-burning logs,
which in turn adds to the beauty of the entire
fireplace. Any of the firebacks inserted into
the patented Gas Log
Safety Supports can simply be placed behind
the logs. The supports not only raise the
fireback for better viewing, but also allow it
to lean forward, if required by the curvature of
the rear wall. |
Click
here to see Our Collection or
Request a
Catalog.
|
