MONTCO win15

FIREPLACES
Continued from page 55
Safety with gas burning products is just
as important. The HPBA offers some helpful
tips. One, be on alert for any unusual
odors or flames. These are often indicators
that the fireplace is not working properly.
Two, make sure you have a protective screen
on the product to reduce the risk of burns
by preventing direct contact with the hot
glass. Three, schedule maintenance every
year with a technician from your specialty
retailer. This professional will check for condensation,
as well as clean the gas lines, control
component, and the burner. Last but
not least, once a year hire a chimney sweep
to inspect vents and the chimney. Homeowners
can take care of routine tasks like
cleaning the viewing glass.
Once you have your in-home heating
squared away, you start working on the outdoors.
According to the HPBA, blending indoor
and outdoor living continues to be
one of the country’s most predominant
home trends. To maximize year-round comfort
outdoors, many manufacturers are designing
products that keep the areas warm
on cold days. Homeowners can keep off the
chill with heated flooring, even heated dining
tables with an open flame center. Outside,
you’ll also find contemporary linear
fireplaces that are built to withstand the elements.
You can accent your outdoor living
room with decorative patio space heaters,
bonfire torches, standing propane heaters,
hanging heaters, or a smokeless fire pit. You
can find unique tabletop heaters, and
heaters disguised as lamps.
Fire has certainly evolved since its first
discovery by man more than a million years
ago. Yet we are still attracted to its warmth,
its light. It touches our soul and brings us a
sense of relaxation. With today’s heating
products, we can experience our own mini
staycation, indoors or out, watching its
beautiful glow.
Mary Beth Schwartz is a freelance writer who frequently
contributes to regional publications.
THE WOODBURNERS
The Woodburners, located in
Hatfield PA, is a family owned
and operated stove and artisan
shop. We provide quality products,
expert service, years of experience,
certified technicians,
knowledgeable staff, learn more
about us. We sell high quality and
efficient fireplaces and stoves, as
well as the Big Green Egg (the
world’s best smoker and grill),
many fine American crafts, and
more. So be sure to visit our
showroom in Hatfield PA. The
Woodburners is family owned
and operated for 36 years. They
have an expert, friendly, knowledgeable
staff that is focused on
the customer’s needs and excellent
customer service. There is
no pressure selling at The
Woodburners and the sales are
not commission based. At The
Woodburners alternative heat is
a lifestyle and they excel in
GreenSmart and GreenStart
technologies. The Woodburners
sell American products and
handmade American crafts. The
Woodburners is located at 11
North Market, Hatfield, PA
19440. For more information
about our products, call 215-
362-2443 or visit www.the
woodburners.com.
HOME
Continued from previous page
dows as well as window screens. Customers
can select from such types as bow,
double-hung, sliding, bay, garden, or casement
windows. There are windows made
of vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood.
You can have between glass blinds or
grids. You can choose from half or full
screens. There are decorative and stained
glass windows. You can pick divided lite
bars. There are transom and side light
windows. Windows also can be customized
with certain sizes and shapes. All
of these windows may replace existing
windows or be a part of a customer’s addition
or renovation.
According to Graboyes, manufacturers
are constantly upgrading the efficiency
and strength of construction materials of
windows, as well as doors. “The future of
windows is here now, but it has not filtered
down to the residential market as of
yet. There is one rather futuristic window.
You have a bay window. At night, the center
of the window can become your television
screen, projecting the video. The
screens on the side pieces of the window
become the speakers and project the
sound.”
Next on the list are doors. Graboyes
Window & Door Co. has entry doors,
single doors, sliding back doors, storm
doors, French doors, and over 30 choices
of decorative glass doors. Doors can be
made of wood, fiberglass, steel, or vinyl.
You can customize the door’s finish, hardware,
and glass. According to Graboyes,
the skins of these doors are getting extremely
wood realistic. “In the past, wood
doors were not popular because they had
to be painted and often warped. For
decades homeowners bought steel doors.
Now there are choices of the skins on the
surface of these doors. You can still get a
smooth steel door, but now you can opt
for a textured steel door with a simulated
wood grain look. Fiberglass doors are
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