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Fireplaces questions, answered by experts

Wood is classified as either hardwood or softwood. For firewood, hardwoods are generally the best choice as they tend to burn longer, hotter, and produce less smoke than softwoods. Recommended hardwoods include oak, hickory, maple, cherry, ash, beech, birch, elm, and walnut. Oak is a particularly good option as it's widely available, slow-burning, and doesn't produce much smoke or sparks. Some woods, like oak, hickory, and cherry, also emit a pleasant scent. It is best to avoid softwoods such as eucalyptus, poplar, and willow, as they create a lot of smoke and have a high moisture content that makes them difficult to light and burn efficiently.

A chimney cap costs about $300 on average to install, with prices ranging from $75 to $1,000. The final cost depends on several factors, including the professional you hire, the accessibility of your chimney, the cap's material and size, whether any repairs are needed, and if it requires custom fabrication. Chimney caps are usually made from galvanized steel, stainless steel, or copper. Copper caps are the most expensive, followed by stainless steel and then galvanized steel. Excluding labor, average material costs are around $100 for galvanized steel, $250 for stainless steel, and $600 for copper. You may also face additional costs, such as hiring a chimney sweep to clean the chimney before the cap is installed.

Yes, a pellet stove can heat an entire house—as long as you choose one that’s large enough for that purpose. For context, pellet stoves generate between 8,000 and 90,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), and you’ll need 30 to 60 BTUs per square foot, depending on your climate zone. If you’re unsure which size pellet stove to buy, reach out to a local pellet or wood stove repair company.

In some cases, you can use a fireplace once the insert has been removed. However, before burning a fire, you must have a professional inspect it and the chimney to make sure they're functioning properly and no damage has occurred from removing the insert. That’s because using a fireplace without an insert could create fire hazards due to issues with airflow and heat dispersion, depending on the fireplace design and material. A professional can advise on whether you should make certain repairs or modifications before using your fireplace as an open hearth.

You can build a fireplace on an existing house, but it’s much easier to construct a masonry fireplace when building a new house. To add to an existing house, you’ll need to build a chimney and ensure the foundation can support a true masonry fireplace. Alternatively, you can purchase a gas or electric fireplace insert, which isn’t as complicated to add to an existing structure.

The Curtis, NE homeowners’ guide to fireplace services

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