At BuildSense we
focus on our individual clients to design and build a home that suits their
personal needs. One common request is a fireplace. As with the diversity of our
clients, comes the diversity of the type of fireplace that is right for their
design and how they live.
We take pride in
building healthy homes with high indoor air quality and safe and energy
efficient systems. In regard to fireplaces, we believe the best means to
achieve this is through directly vented, sealed combustion gas or wood-burning
fireplaces with a dedicated exterior air source. The sealed combustion unit and
dedicated exterior air source assure interior conditioned air stays in the
house, rather than traveling out of the house through the chimney. Directly
venting the fireplace exhausts air to the exterior of the home rather than into
the home. Seems like common sense, but there are many ventless fireplaces on
the market and in existing homes. We have recently installed bio-ethanol
fireplaces as a far safer option when venting to the exterior of the home is
not possible. The waste product of these units is water, steam, and carbon
dioxide. The quantity of CO2 emitted by burning 3 hours of an ethanol fireplace
is about equivalent to the amount of CO2 produced by burning 2 average candles
(http://www.ethanolfireplaces.com).
Wood burning
fireplaces with gasket doors that are directly vented come in a wide range of
designs allowing for various design solutions. With every individual client we
are able to customize their want for a wood-burning fireplace within their
design. Below are examples of different types of fire units that achieve
varying design goals.
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| This ICC Chimney allows for a see thru design that links the dining and livings room while breaking up the large open space. |
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| The Rais unit allows for a wood burning fireplace to be incorporated into the design of the stair and bookshelf, maximizing the space while created cohesive design elements. |
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| The Morso wood burning stove has a modern, compact design that allows it to be placed anywhere within the design, taking up minimal space while producing a generous amount of heat. |
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| The dining room, living room, and above loft are connected by the Montigo see through gas fireplace unit allowing for a visual connection through the fireplace. The venting to exterior is hidden in the reclaimed wood shaft chimney. |
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| This EcoSmart bio-ethanol burning unit was chosen for clients upfitting a condominium in a multi-unit building with an HOA that would not allow fireplaces to directly vent to the exterior. |
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| This is another (2) bio-ethanol unit in the same condominium building (in the cabinet below the TV). Please note this a very complex installation with numerous fire retardant materials carefully crafted into the design according to product manufacturer's specifications and building code. |
