Q–We have a fireplace in our home that we never use. The reason why is it is a wood-burning fireplace and it’s a pain to deal with. My husband wants us to look into something called a masonry ...

Sometimes, even despite attentive maintenance and care, brick masonry fireplaces amass a fair amount soot, mildew, and efflorescence that cumulatively dates a modern home. While a teardown of this ...

Dear Jim: I have seen pictures of beautiful European masonry fireplaces that can heat an entire house with only one short fire each day. How do these fireplaces work and are they applicable to ...

It’s the time of year when folks start migrating towards their fireplace in the evening, if they’re lucky enough to have one. There is something deep in us that finds warmth and comfort, not just in ...

Dear Jim: I saw a home show about massive European-style fireplaces that can heat an entire home with only a 30-minute fire during the morning. Do these really work and are they energy efficient? - ...

Why should homeowners prioritize yearly service for a system that may appear to be working fine? NORTH CHARLESTON, SC, ...

I’m departing from my usual question-and-answer format this week because I was blessed to have an interesting email exchange with one of my newsletter subscribers. I want to share it with you as an ...

First, you should clean the brick before you begin painting it. To do this, use a wire brush and soapy water to scrub down ...

The ideal high-efficiency fireplace is EPA-certifled and will likely include a small firebox; gasketed, ceramic doors; an airwash system; low-emission technology; and airflow control. Stay green by ...

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: TK Images. Design: Kyle Dutton Homes There are certain areas and features of our home ...

When homes change hands, new owners often want to bring a fireplace back to life, and it is easy to do with today’s gas fireplace inserts. This makes perfect sense. Gas inserts are convenient, safe, ...