Choose a gas fireplace insert

With their ease of cleaning and maintaining, gas-burning fireplaces are quickly replacing traditional wood-burning ones in many homes.

Gas fireplace inserts are efficient, clean-burning and offer a variety of options and features to heat your home while creating the ambiance of a traditional fireplace.

Here are some things to consider when shopping for a gas fireplace insert.

Advantages

Gas fireplace inserts are designed to fit neatly inside your fireplace and add to your home’s decor. The look can be modern or traditional, letting you keep the stone or masonry fireplace that serves as the visual centerpiece of your living area.

They’re also efficient. While a wood-burning fireplace lets most of the heat escape through the flue, a gas insert is designed to keep more of the heat in your home.

Some models are even equipped with an electric fan to help the warm air circulate better.

They’re also easy to use. Many inserts can start a fire at the flip of a switch or the press of a button on a remote control, making warming your home both easy and efficient.

Size

The first thing to consider is the size of your fireplace.

Different inserts are designed to be installed with very specific size ranges, including minimum depth requirements and the proper location for vents. A professional installer can measure your fireplace to help you find the right insert for your home.

Propane or natural gas

The fuel available in your home will also be an important part of the decision. Whether your home has propane or natural gas will affect the kind of burner you can choose.

The location of gas supply lines can also be a factor, including playing a major role in the cost of installation. An existing gas line to the fireplace with the appropriate capacity will make the installation much faster and simpler compared with running a new line from the nearest gas source.

Venting

Different fireplace inserts have different venting requirements, all of which will affect how they perform and how they need to be installed.

A vent-free fireplace does not require any venting to the outside. It’s essentially self-contained and vents back into the room where it is installed, burning the air and releasing a tiny amount of smoke. Vent-free inserts are not allowed in all areas, though, and have downsides compared to vented models. Vented fireplace inserts get oxygen and release smoke to an outside source. Direct-vent inserts are sealed from the room and are known for being very efficient, while natural-vent inserts allow for more realistic looking flames. Whether you’re looking more for utility or aesthetics may affect your decision on how to vent the fireplace.

Installation cost

All these choices can add up to a wide range of costs for the installation of a gas fireplace insert. That ultimately may end up being a part of your decision, opting for a model that keeps time and complexity to a minimum. Or it may just be a number to know as you make the best decision to get your dream fireplace.

Retailer

All these decisions can be made much easier if you find a good retailer.

The best stores will have knowledgeable, experienced staff who can help walk you through all the choices that make sense in your situation. They’ll also be able to help with the installation or direct you to a reputable service provider in your area who can install the product correctly.

Sponsored by: Amanda’s Fireplace

Becoming more organized is a popular resolution each new year. However, like many resolutions, people's commitment to being more organized tends to wane as spring draws near.

Being unorganized can adversely affect productivity, state of mind, motivation, and even happiness. Sixty-seven percent of people surveyed in an Alpha Phi Quarterly study believed they could save up to 30 minutes a day if they were more organized. And a Huffington Post survey determined worrying a home isn't clean enough or organized enough is the fifth most common stress trigger for Americans.

Getting and staying organized requires commitment. Having some handy tips at the ready to facilitate the process can make things go more smoothly.

1. Determine what organization means to you.

Being organized might mean one thing to you and something else entirely to someone else. Some may put form before function. Others may be interested in the aesthetics of a neat-looking space. Once you have a handle on what being organized entails to you, you can get to work.

2. Start with what motivates you most.

Perhaps this is a room in the home that has become overrun with clutter. Or maybe it's getting finances organized so you can save for a dream vacation. When you accomplish your biggest goal, the seemingly smaller ones may seem less difficult.

3. Declutter your mind.

Think of a busy mind as a computer that has that turning hourglass or spinning color wheel icon when it's stuck on a process. Every application stalls because the computer cannot do everything at once. The same thing can happen in the brain. Sit down and make a to-do list of what's on your mind. Then start prioritizing tasks. This will do wonders to clear your head.

4. Create deadlines for yourself.

An open-ended timeline to get things done may promote procrastination. Deadlines may provide motivation.

5. Avoid distractions.

Try to remove as many distractions as possible. When working on a chore, hire a babysitter to look after the children or step away from social media so you can focus on the task at hand. Interruptions only slow you down.

6. Think before you acquire.

Once you are organized you may have challenges fitting new items into the mix. If you're getting ready to purchase something new, carefully consider its usefulnesss and determine in advance where it will go, and whether or not you have the space.

7. Be accountable to another.

Having help getting organized can mean delegating certain tasks or enlisting someone to check in with you to see if you're on target. Embrace this system of checks and balances.

Sponsored by: LEANNA PEGORARI ORGANIZING

Installing a pool or spa in your back yard provides you opportunity to exercise, relax and swim whenever the weather allows.

Pools create a relaxing gathering space to host friends and family, and provide a fun and healthy way to exercise. Spas can soothe aching muscles and provide a relaxing way to destress.

Whether you’re an avid swimmer or just enjoy relaxing in the water, your specific desires will lead you to choose which best accommodates your needs.

Deciding on which can mean taking into consideration such factors as price, space and maintenance.

Spas

Home spas have become quite affordable in recent years. As a result, they are also very popular. Installation of a home spa can also

Choose a Pool or Spa Choose a pool or spa

be a cinch, with a growing number of plug and play models and even portable ones that you can take with you on vacation.

The home-spa industry has worked hard to incorporate innovations, such as ozonators and aromatherapy. Spas often found in high-end hotels and resorts are now available for the average consumer. You may be able to purchase some of these models at your favorite big-box store or home-improvement center.

You can also purchase a home spa with a media center, along with therapeutic and LED lighting. Watch your favorite DVD or TV program while relaxing in the tub. Good spas include hydrotherapy, which will help you heal and repair your body.

Tubs with water jets will massage muscles, improve circulation, relax nerves and ease pain. The water suspends your tired muscles in weightlessness, allowing them to rest. People with chronic back problems often report relief. Custom spas are also available. You can have it built to meet your specifications. Everyone has a different reason for installing a home spa, and manufacturers are able to accommodate your requests.

Pools

At-home swimming pools are another favorite for health-conscious people. These pools are not like your typical in-ground blue bathtub. Natural stone, waterfalls and landscape detailing will make your pool into a private oasis. Before purchasing your pool, decide whether you would like an in-ground or above-ground pool. Above-ground pools are less expensive, but many people prefer the durability and overall look of an in-ground pool.

Consider the landscaping around your pool. There are many possible finishes for the decking alone. You can also choose the ma- terials, style and features. Sometimes the environment around a pool can seem as relaxing as stepping foot in the water.

It’s a fact that most people build their dream pool over several as it fits their budget. You don’t have to do everything at once. Just start with a high-quality installation and a vision of what you want the area to become. You can add more features later.

With so many advances in home spas and swimming pools, combined with their affordability, it may make sense to install one on your property. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to have your own private resort without the hassle of leaving home?

Sponsored by: Imperial Pools & Spas

When it comes time to replace your roof, a great contractor will ensure that this expensive task is done well with work that will last many years. This is not the time to hire a fly-by-night organization just to save a few dollars in the short term.

Your first step in finding a reliable roofer is to ask your family, friends and neighbors whether they have recommendations.

You can also look on the internet for roofing contractors in your area. Some websites offer lists of professionals, along with reviews of their work.

Be sure to focus on the quality of work as well as the cleanup process. You don’t want scraps of shingles and nails left over after the contractors have gone home. Don’t hire professionals who leave debris on your property when the work is done.

Pick someone with a long track record in your community. Some contractors travel the country looking for work. They appear after a community experiences a natural disaster or heavy storm. These contractors are making money from the insurance claims. If you hire one of them, they cannot provide realistic guarantees for their work.

They may be on the other side of the country if your roof starts to leak again.

Becoming acquainted with local contractors is especially important if you live in an area prone to high winds or hurricanes. It is good to know who to call if your house needs repair work.

Once you have contact information for several roofing contractors, call them. Inquire about the company’s background and how long they have been in business.

Choose a roofer

Generally, a good roofer should offer a guarantee between five to 12 years. If the company has been in business for less than five years, it will be difficult to determine the quality of their work. Continue to ask questions about time frames and estimates. Get a written estimate before proceeding with any work. Communicating with the contractor will let them know that you will be taking a hands-on approach to this project.

Find out whether the roofers recommend standard or archi- tectural shingles, what they will do if they find damaged decking, and when they might be available to start. Ask about the warranty and request to have it in writing.

Every professional who works on your property should be licensed and bonded. Insurance is particularly important for roofing contractors. They need to be able to cover any damages they might cause to your property. It is also essential that workers are covered under their insurance as well, in the event someone is injured during the job.

Before work commences, you must receive a written contract from the roofer. Read it over carefully. It will state the type of materials to be used, what the work will entail and the final cost. Following these tips will help you find the best roofing contractor in your community.

Sponsored by:

Dependable Roofing