Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Orlando with shaker cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink and white cabinets

Example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Charleston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

The baking station sits on the island opposite the bar stools and across from the main cleanup sink (beyond). A built-in mixer lift pops up from a custom made cabinet.

When a 7 year old Brooklyn hip-kid is also an animal lover, you get this woodland boy's room, designed to grow and maximize storage. This small kid's bedroom features a storage bed, wall shelves, a spacious desk hutch, and a storage ottoman to accommodate ample toys and books, as well as a custom designed closet to suit a growing child's needs. Hipster Animals removable wallpaper is fun for a 7 year old, but still cheeky and cool enough for a teen. And while woodland animals abound, they are balanced by mature decor elements like neutral colors, dark blues, boyish plaid, and chic wool and leather textures meant to grow with child. This room is one of our favorite small space designs - it's fun, personalized, and makes the space look bigger--while also providing storage and function. Photo credits: Erin Coren, ASID, Curated Nest Interiors

Inspiration for a contemporary home theater remodel in Los Angeles

Example of a danish patio design in Phoenix

Full remodeling of 2 entire hotels suite, including a kitchen, 2 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and custom closets and millwork. The project is a Floor to ceiling full remodeling, where we replaced all flooring, added beautiful wall covering and upgraded all lighting and dimmers. The Result is calm, serene, open spaces have been created. Guests can now come to these suites after a busy day in the heart of the city of NY and relax in these high end suites. The decor is modern and the color palette is neutral and refreshing to appeal to many different guests tastes. We also did a number of smart upgrades for the wireless control of the HVAC system, dimmers and electrical roller shades. Modern Studio en-suite bedroom with an integrated mini bar which includes a fridge and microwave. The bedroom also got a custom closet. Photo Credit: Francis Augustine

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Trendy kids' room photo in San Francisco

Mid-sized eclectic enclosed dark wood floor family room photo in New York with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This remodel was a dated 1980s Cape Cod style home that desperately needed updating with the kitchen starting as the foundation for the rest of the home. The owners purchased the property in 2013 with the intent of replacing the existing kitchen installed in 2000, as well as updating most surfaces throughout the home. The space while moderately sized, felt cramped due to the L-shaped design and eat-in island that disrupted traffic flow from the mudroom, dining room and sliding doors to the patio. The owners knew they wanted to bring the light from the southern facing front of the home to the dark cave-like feeling of the kitchen. This was remedied by knocking down the wall between the existing dining room (now a lounge area), widening the entrance to the family room and creating a pathway to the existing formal living room (now the dining room). Also to create better traffic flow into the kitchen, the existing mudroom door was moved to the opposite side of the wall. A large work island with cooktop, oven and convection/microwave was designed for efficiency and maintaining clean site lines. The work triangle allows for quick and easy meal prep and clean-up for the busy family. Space at the end of the kitchen was perfectly suited for a large kitchen table with views of the back yard, easy conversation with the cook at the island or those hanging in the newly appointed lounge area. The new doorway between the kitchen and dining room showcases the 10ft floor to ceiling bay window, allows more light to flood into the space and creates easy access between the two rooms for family gatherings. Given the home owners relocated to the area for job reasons and are not sure how long they will be in this home, we helped them achieve a balance of a design and finishes that they not only love, but would be appealing to many if another move was in their near future. Matt Villano Photography

Photo: Caela McKeever © 2016 Houzz
Asian home design photo in Seattle

Eucalyptus desk with bark inclusions. Steel legs.
Example of a mountain style home office design in San Francisco

Photo: Faith Towers © 2018 Houzz
Home office - industrial home office idea in Boston

The fun part about cold weather is the fireplace. It’s cozy, warm and just mesmerizing to watch. Sometimes, even with the warmth coming into the home, it still seems like some cool air is coming into the home. How can you get more heat into the house instead of it drifting up the chimney? Can a fireplace heat shield help? What is a Fireplace Heat Shield? A fireplace heat shield is a thick stainless steel plate installed against the rear firewall of the fireplace. It pushes into the house anywhere from 20% to 40% more heat. However, a fireplace heat shield has other benefits as well such as protecting the firebricks and mortar. The fireplace heat shield sits in front of the rear firewall. It takes the direct impact of the flame ensuring the infrastructure of the firebox and chimney stay intact. Key Benefits of a Fireplace Heat Shield We mentioned a couple of the benefits of a fireplace heat shield at the top of the article. Here is the full list of benefits and what it can mean to you and the comfort and protection of your home. Does the Fireplace Need the Extra Protection? Your firebox is built to handle intense heat from the fire. Over time, the heat cracks, pits and loosens the material. This is where the heat shield can help protect the firebox, and reduces the cost and frequency of repairs. How Does the Heat Stay in the Back of the Firebox and Not Come Out? A fire needs oxygen to burn. It finds it by pulling air into the firebox from your living space. As the air flows into the firebox, it pushes the heat from the fire right to the back of the firebox. The intense heat causes the back wall made of brick and mortar to expand. When the fire dies down, the firebricks cool down and contract again. Yes, the cycle is similar to the freeze thaw cycle outside on the chimney which should be protected by Chimney Saver, a waterproofing agent. For the fireplace, a heat shield reflects/radiates the heat’s direct contact, so your firebricks and mortar are protected. Water Intrusion from the Chimney Firebrick and firewall materials are porous - They tolerate very high temperatures. But, as we discussed in other articles, these materials also absorb water easily. How can moisture get it? It can travel down from the top of the chimney through a crack in the chimney crown, a damaged cap, missing mortar or loose flashing to name a few. Superior Chimney can locate and correct these chimney leaks so your fireplace stays dry. If the firebricks are wet or damp the direct flames from the fire can speed up the deterioration of the back wall. The heat shield acts as a protective barrier between the fire in the fireplace and the back wall. Fireplace Mortar Fireplace mortar does the same thing as the mortar outside. It’s important to have the fireplace cleaned and inspected by a certified technician to ensure any missing or deteriorated mortar is repaired. Without the repair, the firebricks will move, shift or fall off exposing your home to further damage. Making a Safe Fire and Structural Integrity If you are burning wood, or using a gas fireplace, the fire inside the firebox needs to be safe. When the materials are worn or weaken, that layer of protection is compromised. If a chimney inspection which includes the firebox, isn’t performed at least yearly, you can run the risk of home fire and needing a new firewall. Don’t let it get that far and pose a risk to your home. Including a heat shield will help protect the home. How a Fireplace Heat Shield Protects Your Fireplace and Home A Superior Chimney heat shield works by protecting your firebricks from direct heat and flames. The stainless steel material is built to take that impact and directs the heat to go inside of your home for a nice warm room. With an installed heat shield, the back firewall gets about 1/3 less exposure to heat and flames. That reduction minimizes expansion and contraction in the firebricks and mortar. Protected vs. Unprotected Firebox: A Side by Side Comparison The table below shows how a heat shield changes the day to day life of your fireplace. Tuckpointing or Firebox Rebuilds Tuckpointing restores mortar joints and brings back the strength of your firebox. A heat shield helps that fresh work last as long as possible. How Can Your Firebox Benefit from a Heat Shield This is something you can do yourself. Take a look at the back wall of your fireplace. If you see any of these signs, a heat shield investment will save you on repairs and heating costs. • Hairline or visible cracks in the rear firebricks • Pitting or crumbling on the firebrick surface • Mortar joints that look recessed, sandy, or uneven • Loose firebricks that shift when touched • Heavy soot staining that cleaning does not remove • A history of chimney leaks or water stains in the firebox • A recent tuckpointing or firebox rebuild you want to protect From the Field: Our Technicians’ Perspective Our certified technicians can explain how the firewall is almost always the first area of a firebox to show wear. It sits directly in the path of the draft, so it takes the most heat each time. Homes with a heat shield consistently show cleaner, tighter mortar joints at their annual inspections. Pairing Your Heat Shield with an Annual Inspection A heat shield works best as part of a regular maintenance plan. The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 211 standard calls for chimneys, fireplaces, and vents to be inspected at least once a year. The Chimney Safety Institute of America also encourages annual inspections and cleaning by a certified technician. During your inspection, we check your firebox, mortar, and heat shield together so everything stays healthy for your home. Frequently Asked Questions About Fireplace Heat Shields How much more heat does a fireplace heat shield provide? Most homeowners enjoy 20% to 40% more radiant heat in the room. It depends on the fireplace size, design and the type of wood you burn. What is a fireplace heat shield made of? Superior Chimney heat shields are made from stainless steel. This material handles high heat, resists corrosion, and directs warmth back into your home. Can a heat shield cover an old, stained back wall? Yes. A heat shield covers soot stained and gives your fireplace a clean, updated appearance. Should I repair my firebox before installing a heat shield? If your mortar or firebricks show damage, repairs come first along with a cleaning and inspection. Once the firebox is ready, the heat shield helps preserve your firebox for years to come. Is a heat shield the same as a fireback? No. Stainless steel firebacks, cast iron firebacks and heat reflective shields are not the same. Firebacks are decorative whereas heat reflective shields do exactly as their name infers. Do I still need chimney inspections with a heat shield? Yes. Annual chimney inspections remain the best way to keep your entire chimney system working and efficient. A check on the heat shield is included in the inspection. Protect Your Fireplace with Superior Chimney A fireplace heat shield is a simple, affordable way to get more warmth from every fire. It protects your firebricks and mortar while making your fireplace look inviting. Contact Superior Chimney today to schedule an inspection and learn more about heat shields. You’ll feel the difference from the very first fire!

Inspiration for a small eclectic freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office remodel in New York with white walls

Reclaimed barn board desk. Liz Donnelly - Portland Photo Co.
Home office - rustic home office idea in Portland Maine