A good recessed or mounted fireplace can be a great way to add a unique touch to a modern room. When looking at one of these units, though, you’ll want to take a moment to consider whether or not it’s the right fit for your home. Doing so means taking a moment to look not just at how it’s going to look, but also how useful it will be and how well the unit is constructed. The Touchstone 80032 Sideline fireplace is a great addition to most homes, so long as you are aware of its limitations and how the device is meant to function.
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Construction
The first thing that most buyers are going to notice about this unit is that it’s big. At around one hundred inches and weighing in at about one hundred-fifty pounds, this is a large wall unit. That means that it feels particularly sturdy when you install it, though it can be a little disconcerting to install something this big on your own. One of the major fears of many buyers of this kind of unit is that the fireplace will look like a cheap add-on, but the truth is that the rather large size of the unit makes it look like a much more major piece of hardware. When it comes to size, you’re simply not going to find anything better.
While this is listed as a recessed unit, it is entirely possible for you to mount this on the wall. This can be a little frightening to be honest, as you mount on the wall using a series of eyelets on the back of the unit. Most will be pleasantly surprised to know that the unit really is sturdy enough to be wall mounted and suffers no ill effects when used in that configuration. This is a solid piece of construction that won’t give out easily.
Utility
It’s important to take a careful look at this unit if you’re buying it as a heating unit rather than just as a decoration. This is definitely not a unit that’s going to heat up a large space, nor is it a unit that’s going to replace a more traditional heater in your home. It will, however, give out a fairly reasonable amount of heat in a small room. It’s a perfect accessory and will certainly give off heat, it’s just vital that you know what it can do and what it cannot do.
This extends to the amount of light that the unit gives off. It’s not going to replace a bonfire if you decide to use it as an outdoor unit, but it does its job fairly well. This is a large piece of work to be sure, but as with any electric unit it’s not going to do the same kind of work as a classic indoor or outdoor fireplace. Measured against other similar units, though, it does a fantastic job. It works well enough that you can keep it running year round without having to do any kind of major maintenance or worry about it breaking.
Aesthetics
While aesthetics are naturally subjective, there are a few points that make this unit particularly nice for those who are looking to add a decorative touch to their home. The big bonus is, of course, that you can use a variety of materials inside the fireplace. If you want to use the colored rocks, you can use them to add a splash of color to your room. You also have the option to switch over to a more classical wood look, which can look great in certain situations. No matter what you want to display, you’ll get a good look from this fireplace.
The unit also looks nice on its own, even if it’s not plugged in. It definitely looks better when it is recessed, though the wall-mounted option looks fine with certain types of decor. It’s relatively sleek and modern looking, so your guests shouldn’t get the sense that they’re looking at novelty. The product is fairly easy to keep clean and certainly isn’t something you’ll have to worry about installing or hanging up in your home. It is, however, always much more appealing when you have the fireplace plugged in and lit up.
This is a solid recessed or mounted fireplace. It is well-constructed, useful, and looks great in many different settings. It doesn’t quite provide enough heat to replace a furnace or a more substantial fireplace, but it does provide a good amount of heat and light for a smaller space. If you feel confident installing the unit and understand exactly what it is supposed to provide, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth from this device.
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