Selecting And Installing Refractory Panels

By Author: Karen Lamansky
Total Articles: 7
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Nothing quite matches the feeling of sitting by a warm fire on a cold evening; in fact, fire has been relied on throughout human history for warmth, for cooking, and for light during the darkest days of winter. While we modern humans do not rely on fire in the same way our ancestors did, the nature of fire has not changed; neither has the need to maintain and protect our fireplaces and other heating appliances. Let's take a look at refractory panels and learn just a little more about selecting and installing these very important fireplace accessories.

New and Improved Fireplace Technology
Back in the days of the cave dwellers, people made fires up against cave walls, deciding where to place their fires so that smoke would exit the cave while the heat from the fire would efficiently heat the dwellings. In ancient Roman and Greek times, people constructed simple fire pits in their homes, and as the years passed, various innovations in fireplace technology helped make keeping the home fires burning a cleaner and safer prospect. Today, there are factory-built fireplaces that must be maintained and installed properly; ...
... an important part of maintaining these new fireplaces is by monitoring refractory panels for fireplace efficiency and safety.

Because the newest factory-built units are so much lighter in weight than old-fashioned brick and stone fireplaces, they are not built on special cement foundations; they can be installed in many different places throughout the home.

Selecting and Installing Refractory Panels
Inside a metal factory-built unit, you'll see refractory panels. These special liners help keep the fireplace safe and they help keep your fireplace working properly, too. If you notice a crack, it's time to replace the refractory panels for fireplace efficiency and safety. If you can fit a nickel, on end, into the crack, or if the surface appears to have been abraded by 1/4" or more, then it is time to call for replacement.

Your fireplace professional will help you to select the right refractory panels; they come in different sizes and finishes to suit the size and shape, as well as the aesthetic appearance of your fireplace. As the newest fireplaces come in a number of shapes and sizes, many of these refractory panels must be cut to fit.

Manufactured from the highest quality raw materials available, these panels are designed to reflect the heat generated by the fire back into the room, instead of sending it away, up the chimney. They also help to keep heat from penetrating the firebox and causing damage that could lead to a structure fire if left unrepaired. Refractory panels for fireplace use cannot be cut with a standard DIY saw; instead, they must be cut with a diamond blade saw. Your chimney professional will help you to choose the panels that fit your needs and your budget, then cut them to fit perfectly. Once your new refractory panels are in place, you'll be able to enjoy your fire without worry.

Contact Lindemann Chimney Supply for Refractory Panels, Vermiculite Panels and refractory panels for fireplace. View gallery of some of our work.