Planning Planning a new hearth is an exciting time for any family. Answers to your questions about burning wood for heat and enjoyment. A link to a section in A Guide to Residential Wood Heating, a Canadian federal government booklet. Planning your new hearth How to avoid the heartbreak of a lousy system One of the most common mistakes in planning a hearth is to insist on bringing to life a dream a big cheery fire burning in an open hearth surrounded by rustic stone or elegant carved wood.
Trouble is, when the dream fireplace is made real, it often turns out to be a nightmare.
The dream fireplace has a big hearth opening with a big black stain above it, evidence that it has spilled plenty of smoke into the room. The cozy crackle of the fire spits out glowing embers that produce those small burn marks on the floor and carpet in front. When it is not in use the dream fireplace leaks foul odors and cold air. When it is in use it sets off the smoke detectors. A lot of dream fireplaces are heartbreaking and are rarely used.