Industry Insider: Fireplace and Chimney Authority

There is something mesmerizing about watching a fire burn, whether it be in a fireplace on a blustery night or in an outdoor fire pit on a comfortable evening.

Long after men found other ways to provide heat to their homes, families still longed for fireplaces because they love the cozy aesthetics they provide to a home. But in recent years, financial and environmental concerns, along with evolving personal tastes, have changed homeowners' choices and priorities when it comes to fireplaces, said Paul Loar, president of Fireplace and Chimney Authority.

Traditional, open, wood or gas-burning fireplaces are no longer as popular as they once were, Loar said, because they are an inefficient source of heat. Many homes still have them, however, so their owners install glass doors to minimize any heat loss.

However, even those doors have changed, with brass and other shiny finishes losing out in the popularity contest to more neutral finishes like black, dark brown and other earth tones.

Thanks to the heat loss inherent in traditional fireplaces, other options are being explored to give the mesmerizing look of fire, without the energy drain.

“Many homeowners are opting for fireplace inserts that fit into a conventional fireplace,” said Loar, whose businesses are at 1702 Ogden Ave. in Lisle and 120 E. Lake St. in Elmhurst.

Fireplace inserts can be fueled by wood, natural gas or pellets. They have built-in air circulation features with manually or thermostatically-controlled air inlets and tight doors.

These inserts can be either vent-free or vented, with the vent-free being the cheapest at around $1,500 and the easiest to install, Loar said.

However, ventless installations are different in that the flame burns more bluish than yellow and they release moisture into a home, particularly one that is built very “tight.” A vented fireplace insert is more expensive but, arguably, more problem-free.

Those who have no conventional fireplace built into the home can opt for a direct-vent fireplace that has a vent to the outside similar to a dryer vent. No chimney is needed, Loar said. These can only burn gas and many today are made with the very contemporary, European look of flames burning through crushed, colored glass.

In fact, even a traditional gas-burning fireplace can be converted to this contemporary look with the removal of the old gas logs and their replacement with crushed glass. The replacement of the gas log lighter with an H-shaped burner may also be necessary, Loar said.

“The most contemporary fireplaces are very linear. Some are even 6- to 8-feet long with ribbons of fire burning through crushed, colored glass,” he said.

“There is literally a fireplace available for any budget. We can do a vent-free fireplace for $1,500 at the low end and have done full traditional fireplaces with chimneys that have cost as much as into the $30,000s when have to pour footings, tie the masonry to the outside of the house and then the homeowner opts for a fancy finish like travertine tile.”

Today's homeowners who don't want to sell their homes in a down market are opting to fix up the one they have, often with updating an existing fireplace or adding one, Loar said. For instance, those with 1970s fireplaces made of dark brown or black brick or the driftstone that was popular back then are calling on the Fireplace and Chimney Authority to update their homes by removing the old fireplace and replacing it with a more contemporary look or refacing it with one of more than 300 different types of stone it has available.

In business since 1995, Fireplace and Chimney Authority prides itself on being a “one-stop shop” when it comes to fireplace-related products and services for people in an area ranging west to DeKalb, and from Lake Geneva, Wis., to Mokena.

In addition to building chimneys and installing fireplaces and outdoor kitchens and fire pits of all types, it offers a variety of chimney liners to those who have been told by a chimney sweep that they need one. It repairs damaged chimneys and installs gas lines to them. They employ chimney sweeps who have regular customers whose chimneys they clean on a regular schedule.

The company sells and installs chimney covers to keep animals out. And it sends out specialists who know how to remove birds and animals for people who didn't think they needed a chimney cover.

“We have differentiated ourselves from our competition by our extensive knowledge and experience with all chimney and fireplace-related issues and problems and through our emphasis on customer service,” Loar said.

For information, visit www.fireplaceandchimneyauthority .com or call (630) 279-8500.