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Fireplace Debate: Wood-burning or Gas?

light blue fireplace surround with paneling on the walls in the living room

A crackling fire is filled with nostalgia for so many, but what if we told you it was possible to get the charm and warmth of a fire with less hassle and mess? A wood burning fireplace was the standard in homes for many years, but with the advances made in quality gas fireplaces, it may be time to reconsider your preference.

Gas burning fireplaces are an energy-efficient option, outperforming their wood-burning counterpart. This is primarily due to the fact that they radiate and circulate the heat they emit – unlike a wood-burning fireplace, which loses its heat through the chimney.

In addition to being efficient, gas-burning fireplaces give you a new level of convenience, taking most of the hassle out of lighting and tending to a fire. Gas burning fireplaces are easy to operate and require little maintenance. It is the push of a button versus stacking logs and kindling to get the fire going and cleaning up afterward.

Fireplace

If you’re concerned about losing the character of a wood-burning fireplace, you can rest assured that charm isn’t lost when opting for a gas fireplace.

primary bedroom with fireplace and hardwood floorsNew advances have led to more realistic logs and flames. There are a variety of options to choose from, including embers and charred logs to create a traditional fireplace look.  If your aesthetic is more modern, you may prefer the combination of flame and stone to create a dramatic focal point in the room.

Ease of use is one of the primary benefits of a gas fireplace, and if you’re like many folks, you’ll find that the convenience will lead you to turning on the fire more often than you would have ever imagined.

Schedule an appointment with a Normandy Designer to see how an upgrade to your fireplace may impact your next home remodeling project. Join us for an upcoming workshop to learn more about remodeling, or follow along with Normandy on Facebook and Instagram where we share our latest projects.

Kitchen Remodeling Insights: Independent Spaces for your Cooktop and Oven

transitional kitchen in gray green with islandWhen it comes to making the most of your kitchen remodel, it is all about tailoring the space to fit your needs. This includes the placement of your cooking surface and oven. In the past, a traditional range was an appliance that combined these two elements in the same space. In reality, separating these into two different appliances can add a new level of convenience and functionality that you never knew you were missing.

One perk of separating your cooktop and oven is creating two separate workstations. “This works really well in multi-cook families,” said Normandy Designer Laura Barber, AKBD. “One person can be working at the cooktop while the other tends to the oven.”

A second reason is an easy access. You can choose to place your oven at a more convenient height, which means less bending over. This is especially important for homeowners who are planning on aging in the home or for those who want to accommodate their own personal height – whether that means oven placement higher or lower than usual.

The possibilities of your oven placement seem to be endless based on how you use your kitchen. Another option is to turn your kitchen into a “triple threat” with one cooktop and two ovens.

“Adding a second oven is a convenient feature that is desirable in many households,” added Laura. “One option is to place two single ovens on either side of a cooktop, with drawers in the center. This keeps pots, pans, and utensils within reach when cooking.” Other people elect to stack their wall ovens in a single location to create a baking area within their kitchen.

Set up a time to talk to Laura about all aspects of your kitchen remodel, including whether or not to separate your oven and cooking surface. For more information and inspiration on interior design and home remodeling, follow Normandy on Facebook and Instagram.

transitional kitchen gray green cabinets and convection oven

White kitchen with double ovens and metal hood

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