The Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Expo was great! The HPBA show is an annual opportunity for us to meet with other Hearth & Patio retailers, manufacturers, and distributors to exchange ideas and discuss the current state of the industry. We’ve never taken the entire company before, so this was a brand new (and exciting) experience…
Running your central heating all winter can get expensive, as well as putting a great deal of pressure on your heat pump. Why waste money heating unoccupied space? Zone heating is the practice of using a heating appliance to heat only a few rooms at a time while keeping the rest of your house fairly…
Dear Friends, As part of our commitment to ongoing education, Wooden Sun will be closed the afternoon of Tuesday, 3/3 through Friday, 3/6, while we attend the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association Expo in Nashville. This annual event provides training and certification courses, as well as opportunities for us to meet with our vendors, investigate…
So you’ve looked at your options, and are trying to decide on a wood stove. One important choice to make is whether to purchase a catalytic or non-catalytic stove. Which one is the best option for you? Each comes with advantages and disadvantages; there’s no “best” stove, only the best option for you and your…
I can’t believe it’s August already! We’ll be having Labor Day cookouts soon, and then, before you know it, it’ll be fireplace season. Winter happens every year, but it somehow always manages to sneak up on most of us. With that in mind, here’s a brief “fireplace checklist” to help you make sure you’re ready…
Chimneys degrade from the top down, as the crown at the top of the chimney is gradually eroded by the weather. As the crown is subjected to rain, sun, and the freeze/thaw process, it gradually begins to erode, forming cracks on the surface. This is particularly true for us here in central Virginia; with warm…
It’s true that an awning keeps your house cool and lowers your heating bills, but maybe you don’t want to shade your yard or garden. Or perhaps you enjoy the look of your interior blinds or curtains, but want to be able to open your windows without the wind blowing your window treatments around. Available…
Often, the sunny patio or deck that’s so perfect for during the fall and spring gets so hot during the summer that it’s impossible to enjoy. An awning or canopy provides a cool, shaded area, perfect for children & pets, and the ideal place to enjoy a summer barbecue. A retractable awning extends your home’s…
What’s so eco-friendly about heating with wood, anyway? Firewood is a renewable resource, and sustainable harvesting practices allow woodlot owners to balance high yield with long-term growth. Harvesting wood responsibly involves clearing naturally-fallen wood before new growth (intermediate thinning), planting new trees to replace harvested ones, and maintaining a variety of tree species in each…
Hearth and chimney fires are a serious matter, and can cause hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in property damage. In the last three years, approximately 72,500 chimney fires occurred in the United States, causing about $92 million in property damage and resulting in 30 deaths. In November of 2013, a chimney fire damaged a home…
