From Guest Blogger Sophie Andersen: Be Sustainable this Winter

As winter is rapidly approaching, the need to sink into a comfy sofa in front of a warm, inviting fireplace is rapidly increasing. However, opinions are somewhat divided, when it comes to choosing a type of a fireplace between those employing natural gas and the wood burning ones. From things as simple as physical outlook, to maintenance, convenience and environmental awareness, ideas differ from a homeowner to a homeowner.

Atmosphere

Sitting in front of a bright fire has been providing human beings with a soothing experience ever since we started using fire to our own gain. The mere crackling provides a calming feel to fall asleep to while an occasional spark irradiates just about enough of surprise and unpredictability for when you get lost watching that dance of fire. A wood burning fireplace can provide the exact same feel, while resulting in little pollution.

When it comes to natural gas fireplaces, however, the only atmosphere these provide is a warm one. This is not to say it doesn’t feel nice to experience warmth in every part of your home, even though a bright yellow fire, dancing in your living room will always beat a blue and yellow flame shooting up around ceramic logs – there’s just something disappointing about this artificial feel of coziness.

However, there’s yet another alternative – in come the fire glass! Marvelous to look at, completely healthy, eco-friendly, as well as inexpensive, this might be a perfect match for your home. Seeing as how fire glass doesn’t have a habit to pop out pieces of wood that can cause stains and even fires, there is no safer material on the market. Warm and beautiful to look at, this type of glass provides no smoke whatsoever and is available in a myriad of shapes, styles and sizes (such as fire glass provided by Blazing Glass).

Convenience

Based on heat-efficient technology, natural gas fireplaces offer maintenance and installation advantages over those that need wood in order to provide heat. You’ll have to do quite an amount of dirty work, if you want that nice crackling sound to echo in your ears. First of all, you’ll need wood. Now, for those that live on the country side, going out for a nice workout to cut down a tree or two and gather logs might not be such an inconvenience. If you try doing so in the modern suburbia, though, you might be looking at a lawsuit, in addition to more than a couple of neighbors’ raised eyebrows. When it comes to natural gas fireplaces, though, you’re looking at winters with no mess from ash, soot, coal-raking and creosote. Additionally, natural gas fireplaces cause significantly less pollution.

So, to sum it up – if you are looking for an atmospheric addition to your living room, in which to lose plenty a mesmerized gaze, a wood burning fireplace might just be a thing for you. However, if you’re looking for a more eco-friendly, convenient, practical alternative, our advice would be to opt for natural gas. If it’s style, safety and cost-efficiency that you’re looking for, fire glass is the name of the game for you.