Guest Post Author Bio: Maggie is a retired teacher who recently discovered the joys of a fireplace.

In the process of buying a new house, you might wonder what new things you could bring into this property to make it feel more like a home. After furnishing and décor, one of the best ways of stamping your style on your new home is to install a fireplace.

The style and age of your property don’t matter: from ornate, Victorian, cast-iron hearths, to modern, Swedish, steel fire bowls, there is fireplace design to suit everyone and there’s nothing like the flicker of an open flame to make your living room into a cosy retreat.

If you have a chimney or even a non-functioning fireplace, you might want to consider having it opened up and restored. You’ll need to have the condition of the flue checked, and to make sure you have a grate and (optionally) a surround suitable for real fire*. Then you’re ready to burn solid fuels like coal and wood, or smokeless fuel if you’re in a Smoke Control Area. Solid fuel is an economical option for replacing central heating on cooler spring and autumn days or supplementing it in the depths of winter. Once you’ve experienced the joys of direct heat you will wonder how you ever managed to live without it.

If you don’t have a flue you can usually still have a gas fireplace installed. Recent designs of gas fireplaces are practically indistinguishable from the real thing, but they have several advantages. Firstly, if you don’t have a chimney a balanced flue gas fire can be vented through an external wall, or you may be able to have a flueless gas fire which vents into the room. Secondly, you don’t have to ensure that you have a supply of coal or logs on hand. Thirdly there is no dust or ash with a gas fireplace, unlike the solid fuel option. Finally, you can control the heat of a gas fireplace with far greater precision than is possible with solid fuel.

If you can’t install a flue, or a flueless or balanced flue gas fire is unsuitable for your room, you can still have the appearance of an open flame. Dimplex have a patent on a technology called Optiflame which allows them to add realistic flame effects to an electric heater. While electricity is more expensive than gas or solid fuel heating, you can still enjoy the ambient effect of the flame in conjunction with your existing central heating. This is an ideal way to make a feature of an unusable fireplace that no longer has a serviceable chimney.

There are so many options available in terms of price, style and fuel-type that there is bound to be a fireplace that will suit your home. A feature hearth can improve any property’s desirability, which can help speed up your sale when you finally put your home back on the market. And in the meantime, there’s nothing like an open flame to bring warmth to your home.

*Solid fuel fireplaces in England and Wales must comply with Building Regulations Document J

Working in the fireplace industry there are certain facts about fireplaces I tend to see as so obvious they don't need to be explained. Every so often someone asks an unexpected question, which of course makes me wonder how many other people are unsure about the same thing. Recently one of our customers asked what a fireplace hearth is for, and I decided to share the answer in case anybody else is wondering.

Most people just think of a fireplace hearth as the slab of stone which lies at the base of the fireplace below the grate, stove or fire. In fact there are usually two parts to a fireplace hearth - the decorative slab visible at the base of the fireplace, and a thick concrete sub-hearth below which lies flush with the floor. Together they provide a heat shield to prevent the heat from the fire from spreading to nearby joists which could catch fire if not protected.  The decorative hearth has additional fire prevention functions - by creating a raised area near the fire it subtly deters people from placing flammable materials too close to the fireplace, and it provides a non-combustible surface around the fire in case any burning embers spill out.

The traditional combination of sub-hearth and decorative hearth harks back to the days when open fires were the norm, but is still important for modern combustion appliances such as gas fires and solid fuel stoves. UK Building Regulations set out strict requirements for hearths for combustion appliances in Document J, which you can download here. It is vital to confirm that your hearth is suitable for any new stove or fire you are thinking of having installed, and this is one of the points a professional will check when visiting your home to do a fireplace or fire installation survey.

New Pureglow fireplaces L-R: Wenlock limestone, Wychbury limestone, Hanley marble, Knighton marble

We've just added some beautiful marble and limestone fireplaces from Pureglow to our product range. All are available with or without a fire, giving you the freedom to create the perfect look for your living room.

Pureglow Wenlock Limestone Fireplace

The Wenlock fire surround is crafted from solid Agean limestone, with a 54" wide mantel shelf. The creamy tones of the limestone contrast with the glossy black back panel and hearth. It has a 75mm rebate and is suitable for use with gas and electric fires. The black granite back panel has a 22" x 16" cutout which is compatible with standard inset fires.

Pureglow Wychbury Limestone Fireplace

The Wychbury fireplace is crafted entirely from solid Sepol Portuguese limestone, and is suitable for use with gas and electric fires. The three-piece back panel allows for some flexibility in the opening size, making this suite a good option for use with fires which aren't standard width. The mantel width is 54", with a 75mm rebate.

Pureglow Hanley Marble Fireplace

The Hanley fireplace is made from Perla micro marble, a composite stone with consistent colouring and a smooth, glossy finish. Two sizes are available - 48" width or 54" width, both with a 75mm rebate. The 22" x 16" cutout is compatible with a wide variety of gas and electric fires.

Pureglow Knighton Marble Fireplace

The Knighton fireplace is made from Perla micro marble, with a matching back panel and hearth. At 56" wide it will be an imposing feature even in larger rooms. The back panel opening is 22" x 16", ideal for inset gas and electric fires.

Where do you put a fireplace when you don't have room for one? This might seem like a daft question, but there is a distinct trend towards smaller rooms in modern properties. As well as making us feel hemmed in, these restrictions on living space create some real practical problems. How do we fit in enough seating to be sociable with family and friends? Where do we put all our stuff? And how do we make a small place feel like home rather than a rabbit hutch?

Modern houses and flats generally have excellent central heating systems, without any physical need for a fireplace to keep you warm. But that isn't really the point. Evolved as we are, fires still speak to a primordial part of us. They represent home and comfort and safety, and the hypnotic effect of flickering flames is truly relaxing. The central heating may keep our bodies comfortable but it doesn't warm our hearts.

So what should we do if we crave the comfort of a fire but simply can't fit in a conventional floor level fireplace? The answer is to head for the high ground and look at wall-mounted fires instead. There is a great range of shapes and sizes available to fit whatever space you have available. Most are modern in style but there are a few with a more traditional look if the contemporary isn't your cup of tea.

Wall fires are incredibly versatile, with gas and electric models available for both recessed and flat-wall installation. The biggest problem you're likely to face should you want a wall fire is which one to choose! I'll come back to this topic later with a look at how to choose the right wall fireplace. In the meantime why not sit back and imagine how a wall fire could improve your living space.

There's nothing like the ambiance and comfort of a real fire, but decades of reliance on central heating seem to have left some gaps in our understanding of fire safety. I've seen too many news stories lately about house fires which started because ash from an open fire or woodburner wasn't disposed of safely. Many people don't realise how dangerous hot ashes can be, assuming the risk of fire disappears as the flames die down. However, even when it looks as though the fire is dead embers can stay hot enough to start a fire for several days afterwards.

The worst story I've heard about recently was the Christmas morning blaze in Connecticut which killed three little girls and their grandparents. Apparently the children had been concerned about Santa getting down the chimney if the embers weren't removed from the fireplace. Their mother's boyfriend is believed to have cleaned out the fireplace and left the ashes in a bag in or near an entryway, close to the rest of the household rubbish, where they reignited during the night and set fire to the house.

Even when nobody is hurt a house fire can be devastating, causing entire families to be displaced from their homes. Always make sure smoke and fire alarms are in working order, and above all develop good fire safety habits.

Safe Ash Disposal Tips

• If you leave ashes in the fireplace make sure a fire screen is in place.
• Never use a bag, cardboard box or plastic container to collect and dispose of ashes. The ideal ash container is a small metal can with a tight-fitting lid.
• Never use a vacuum cleaner to collect ashes from your fireplace or woodburner.
• Once you collect the ashes from your woodburner or fireplace, take the ash container outside immediately.
• Place your ash container outside, well away from the house.
• Allow at least 4 days for ashes to cool before dumping them.
• If using ashes on your garden take care not to tip your ashes near something which could easily catch fire such as dry leaves, and make sure you moisten the area before dumping the ashes.

Fireplaces Are Us have a great winter offer for people buying Gallery fireplaces. For a limited time we are giving away a cast iron chimenea worth £105 with selected Gallery fireplaces. The chimenea is an open bowl model which comes complete with lid and tool.

The free chimenea offer applies to Gallery fireplaces priced at £300 or more - an extensive range of designs is available in marble, limestone, cast iron and wood. If you wish to claim a free chimenea with your Gallery fireplace please follow the instructions to add it to your order.

Our showroom is holding a winter clearance sale from 27th December. Stove & fireplace prices start from £199, and everything must go! Our showroom carries only a small percentage of the thousands of products we sell online, so please call the showroom on 01422 373540 before visiting if you are outside our local area to avoid disappointment if they do not have the product you are interested in.

I recently saw the above fire safety video which gives a shocking demonstration of the dangers of a real Christmas tree catching fire. The video shows two living room fires filmed in a laboratory - the rooms are fully furnished but have one open wall to allow filming. The first section shows a fire developing in an everyday living room, and the second shows the spread of a fire from a real Christmas tree. As the video shows, if your Christmas tree catches fire it will very quickly escalate much more rapidly. With that in mind, I decided this would be a good time to go over some essential safety tips for real Christmas trees.

Where To Put Your Christmas Tree

Make sure your Christmas tree isn't blocking doorways, and that it is situated somewhere it is unlikely to get bumped into or knocked over. Think about the location of electrical sockets as well - you don't want your fairy light cable to be within reach of children and pets or to turn into a tripwire which could cause someone to fall or pull the tree over. Keep your real Christmas tree away from heat sources - this includes working fireplaces, wood burning stoves, gas or electric fires, radiators and direct sunlight. This isn't just about preventing the tree from shedding needles - if the tree dries out it becomes a more serious fire hazard.

Don't Let Your Christmas Tree Dry Out

The wood of a real Christmas tree is very resinous, so it will catch fire easily as well as burning hot and fast. The lower the moisture content, the easier it is for the tree to catch fire and the faster it will burn. An average sized Christmas tree can need up to a gallon of water per day to stop it drying out, and dried sap  can quickly form a seal which prevents the tree from absorbing water. Make a fresh cut at the base so the tree can take in water and refill the water container every day, making sure the water level doesn't drop below the cut surface.

Look After Your Lights

No Christmas tree is complete without garlands of fairy lights, but the heat from the lights has an unwelcome drying affect which can be minimised by using miniature lights or even LED lights and turning them off when nobody is in the room to enjoy the tree. Always check before use for frayed or broken cables and damaged bulbs or sockets. It's better to replace a set of faulty or damaged lights than to use them and risk starting a fire. Also make sure you don't overload electrical sockets, and turn the lights off at night.

General Fire Safety

It's always a good idea to close doors at night - should a fire start this will slow down the spread of smoke and flames. Make sure your smoke alarms are working, and fit some if you haven't done so already. Over the Christmas period your living room is more likely to get cluttered with flammable material than normal, so tidy up regularly especially last thing at night. If you use candles make sure they are sited on a heat-resistant surface out of reach of children and pets, and that you put them out before leaving the room unattended or going to bed.

Disposing Of Your Christmas Tree

Once Christmas is over and the decorations are taken down dispose of your tree promptly. If you have a working fireplace or a wood burning stove it is tempting to cut up your Christmas tree and burn it. This isn't the best way to dispose of the tree though as the wood can burn explosively. If you have a garden chipper you could shred the tree to use as mulch, or alternately take it to the garden waste section of your local tip.

We're here to help - just call us on 01484 434322 during our new opening hours:

• Monday-Friday 8.30am to 5pm
• Saturday 9am to 4pm
• Sunday 11am to 3pm

Purpose-built Flat-wall Fireplaces

The cheapest and easiest way to add a fireplace to a flat wall is to use a purpose-built freestanding fireplace. A typical flat-wall fireplace suite includes an electric fire and comes already assembled, simply needing to be secured to the wall for safety. For a perfect finish have the fire connected to a fused spur instead of using the three-pin plug provided. There are some very good quality flat-wall fireplaces on the market, but choice is limited.

Standard Fireplaces with Outset Fires

Many fireplaces can be used on a flat wall with an outset or freestanding fire which stands on the hearth instead of being inserted into a chimney recess. Steer clear of traditional cast iron fire inserts, as these generally jut out backwards, and look instead for packages with a flat back panel, slip set or fascia. This approach opens up a huge range of choices of fireplace suite, and can work with flueless or balanced flue gas fires as well as electric.

Fireplace Surrounds with Deep Rebates

The rebate of a fire surround is the difference in depth between the inside and outside of the mantel leg, which allows the surround to overlap the edges of the back panel on fitting. A surround with a deep rebate allows the back panel to be brought forward, creating a void between the back panel and wall. This void can be used to accommodate the body of an inset gas or electric fire which would normally sit in a chimney recess.

Choosing Fires for Flat-Wall Fireplaces

If you want to install a gas fire and fireplace on a flat wall seek advice from a qualified gas fitter first. Flueless and balanced flue gas fires are ideal for this kind of situation, but there are limits to what you can do -  your fireplace retailer can advise about whether fires and fireplaces are compatible with each other, but it takes a home visit by an engineer to confirm the suitability of a fireplace and fire for your room. Careful calculation is required to choose the right inset fire for a deep-rebate fireplace - the inset depth of the fire must be less than the rebate depth for it to fit.

Gallery Richmond Stone Fireplace with Bolton Cast Iron Arch

The Gallery Richmond fire surround is 54" wide with deeply incised corbels, an imposing piece ideal for larger rooms. The Richmond fire surround is available in either Agean limestone or Carrara marble, the limestone being the more popular of the two. The Bolton cast iron arch has the options of a gas or electric fire insert, or a solid fuel kit for real fires.

Gallery Stourhead Limestone Fireplace with Henley Cast Iron Arch

The Gallery Stourhead limestone fire surround features plain corbels, giving it a more understated look than the Richmond. The Stourhead mantel is made from solid Agean limestone and measures 56" wide. The Henley cast iron arch is in the mid-Victorian style with geometric patterns decorating the fireplace opening, and gas, electric or solid fuel kits are available.

Gallery Kingston Stone Fireplace with Landsdowne Cast Iron Arch

The Gallery Kingston fireplace surround is 56" wide and comes in either Carrara marble or Agean limestone. The Landsdowne cast iron arch is in the early Victorian style, with a wide opening decorated with an ornate motif. The Landsdowne arch comes in a choice of black or highlighted finishes, with the option of a gas fire, electric fire or solid fuel kit.

Gallery Kingston Stone Fireplace with Heritage Cast Iron Fascia

While the other fireplaces I have mentioned all include a traditional cast arch which requires a chimney recess for installation, this version of the Kingston fireplace has a flat fascia with a standard 16" x 22" cutout for use with modern inset gas or electric fires. This package can be used on a flat wall with a slimline inset electric fire, ideal for people in modern properties built without a chimney.

With the nights drawing in and the weather turning colder, there can be no doubt that winter is well on its way. The time has come for anyone with a working fireplace to make sure it is ready to use when the cold sets in.

Do You Have a Fireguard?

A fireguard or firescreen serves a dual role, preventing sparks flying out from the fireplace and stopping people and pets from getting too close to the fire. And don't think a fireguard is a style-killer which will look out of place in a more modern interior. There are some great contemporary firescreens on the market as well as the more traditional options.

Do You Have Firewood?

At the busiest times of year (when the weather is cold) you may have to wait weeks for delivery of a load of firewood or coal. Make sure you stock up on fuel well in advance, especially if you depend on the fireplace to heat your living room. These days a lot of people just have a working fireplace for occasional use. When the mood for a real fire strikes it's better to just have to light the fire rather than having to go on a mission to find something to burn!

Has Your Chimney Been Swept?

If you haven't already had your chimney swept in preparation for winter, get this arranged as soon as you can. The last thing you want is to light your fire for the first time and find clouds of smoke pouring into your living room because the chimney is blocked! In addition to making sure the flue is clear, regular chimney sweeping prevents build-up of the tarry residues which are a major cause of chimney fires.

Ekofires 5050 Flueless Gas Fire

Although flueless  gas fires are relatively new to the UK, they have been popular in other parts of the world for many years, especially Japan (approx 40 million in use), the USA (approx 20 million in use) and Australia. Flueless gas fires, requiring no chimney or flue system, offer a unique combination of efficiency, flexibility and safety.

No Heat Loss

Much of the heat from a conventional flued gas fire is lost straight up the chimney. Even the latest generation of high efficiency flued gas fires lose some heat in this way. In comparison, 100% of the heat from a flueless gas fire goes towards heating the room. Burley, one of the largest UK manufacturers of flueless gas fires, commissioned tests comparing the performance of a 2.5kW Burley Environ flueless gas fire with a typical 6kW inset flued gas fire and a decorative flued gas fire. They found that the flueless gas fire gave out over 3 times as much heat per kilowatt as the flued gas fire and over 12 times as much heat per kilowatt as the decorative flued gas fire. This is because the flued gas fire lost more than 70% of its heat up the chimney, and the decorative gas fire lost over 90% of its heat up the chimney.

Safety

Flueless gas fires burn gas extremely cleanly and efficiently. They then pass the burned gases through a catalytic converter to further clean the emissions. The catalytic converter converts any carbon monoxide to harmless carbon dioxide, which can be safely released into the room. Flueless gas fires constantly monitor the oxygen levels in the room. If the oxygen level drops even a little below normal a safety device is activated and the fire will switch itself off.

Flexibility

Flueless gas fires are generally very easy to install. If the fire is going in an open chimney then the flue must be blocked off, but other than that the fitter simply has to connect and test the fire and install the air vent. The time and costs for fitting are usually far lower than for flued gas fires. Flueless gas fires are available in a wide range of styles, from traditional gas fires to modern gas fires, from wall fires to inset fires.

The Diamonds have chosen to use a bold patterned wallpaper with an ornate chandelier and grand classical fireplace in their sitting room, yet have used a subtle palette of beige and gold which makes it an inviting and restful space. Their fireplace centres on a Queen Anne fire basket made from cast iron with an antique-effect brass finish on the legs and finials - perfectly complementing the style and colours used throughout the room.

The same design of fire basket has been used in the Diamonds' guest bedroom, but this time in a traditional highlighted finish. The soft silvery-grey of the polished cast iron gives a more understated appearance than the brass version. In a fireplace festooned with ornate antiques, the highlighted version of the Queen Anne fire basket upholds the classical decorative theme while allowing the antiques to take centre stage.

The fire baskets in Mark and Alison Diamond's home look to me like the Gallery Queen Anne fire basket, which is available in either a highlighted or antique brass finish. The Gallery Queen Anne fire basket can be bought with a solid fuel kit for real fires, but gas and electric inserts are available for people who want a traditional look with the convenience of a modern fire.

As the weather turns colder, people naturally think about warming up in front of a fire. As a result, Autumn and Winter are the busiest time of year in thefireplace industry and the time when our phone lines are under greatest pressure. Try as we might we can't answer all calls right away, so we have been thinking about how to make it easier for you to reach us.

At FireplacesAreUs we are committed to being available to help our customers by phone. Some of you need advice about what fireplace or fire to buy, some need help placing an order, and some call to check on an order or because you need aftercare. The last thing we want is for you to get stressed out if you can't get through right away! While one option is to use our voicemail system to leave a message requesting a call back, we know that many people are not comfortable doing this.

To make things easier for you, we have decided to be more flexible with our opening hours. With call volumes currently high during office hours, especially at lunchtime and around 5pm when many people try to call around their own work hours, we have decided to keep our phone lines open until 8pm from Monday to Thursday. Our phone number is 01484 434322, and you are also welcome to email us.

Linear Fire Surrounds

The Pureglow Stanford wooden fire surround has a modern flavour, with its sleek linear design. Under-mantel downlights are included as standard - they are sure to make a contemporary steel or chrome finish fire stand out. The Stanford fire surround comes in a choice of luxurious natural oak or American walnut finishes, and is suitable for use with the majority of gas and electric fires.

Flat Mantels

The design of the Be Modern Wykeham fire surround is reminiscent of Victorian flat mantels. This classic design is highly versatile, looking at home in both modern and period interiors. The Wykeham mantel is made of solid wood, and is available either in an off-white painted finish or in a choice of natural wood veneers including natural oak, warm oak and medium mahogany.

Arched Fireplace Surrounds

The Be Modern Darwin fire surround combines strong uprights with a graceful curved mantel header. The Darwin mantel is made from solid wood with a high quality real wood veneer finish in either natural oak or warm oak. It comes in a choice of 44", 48" or 52" sizes and has a 25mm-75mm adjustable rebate as standard so it can be used for flat-wall installations as well as with recessed gas and electric fires.

Tudor Arch Fire Surrounds

The Be Modern Tudor wooden fireplace surround incorporates the iconic angular Tudor arch into a simple design perfectly suited to a more modern interior. Subtle detailing emphasises the distinctive shape of the mantel opening without becoming overpowering. The Tudor fire surround comes in a choice of 42" or 46" width, and is made from solid timber with a real wood veneer finish in warm oak, natural oak or medium mahogany.

Corbel Mantels

The Gallery Bedford wooden mantel features simple curving corbels which bring Edwardian decor to mind. The corbels give the Bedford mantel an imposing presence, lending an air of tradition to any interior. The Bedford fire surround comes in either solid oak or solid pine, with a choice of sizes available as well. Being solid timber the Bedford is a good choice for use with a real fire.

Gallery Genoa Limestone Fireplace with Neon Fire Basket

If you love to combine strong lines with a variety of textures, look no further than the Gallery Genoa limestone fire surround with polished Neon fire basket. Within the bounds of the satin smooth limestone surround and high gloss granite hearth, the Shire Newton fascia creates a double inner frame of contrasting polished and blackened cast iron for the fire basket.

Gallery Clifton Stone Fireplace with Elan Fire Basket

The Gallery Clifton stone fireplace package combines linear design with subtle curves. The Clifton suite is available in a variety of finishes to suit different budgets and tastes. In Cotswold Jurastone the Clifton is affordable and practical with a tough matt finish. The mid-range option is Perla micro marble, a high gloss finish with consistent colouring. Alternately go for Portuguese limestone if you prefer the subtle variations of natural grain patterns.

Be Modern Lauren Marble Fireplace Suite

Not everyone has a deep chimney recess to accommodate a fire basket. The Be Modern Lauren fireplace is available in either white or pearl stone micro marble, and the back panel has a 16" x 22" cutout to suit an inset gas or electric fire. A deep rebate can be specified on order (this creates space between the wall and the back panel), allowing flat-wall fixing for use with an inset fire up to 90mm deep.

Winther Browne Shelley Fireplace

If money is tight, I suggest the Winther Browne Shelley fireplace as a budget option. While the other fireplaces I have shown you all have stone fire surrounds, the Shelley surround is a timber product with a satin white finish. Go with a black back panel and hearth for a dramatic effect, or alternately a cream back and hearth set for a more understated look. The Shelley is suitable for use with gas and electric fires, and has a 16" x 22" opening.

If you love classical contemporary design, I recommend you visit Caroline Shasha Interiors to see examples of her work, including the Arden's Knightsbridge home which is featured in Homes & Gardens.

Here at FireplacesAreUs, we have been working hard to expand our installation network into more areas of the UK. We now have extensive coverage, detailed below, throughout England and Wales for fitting of solid fuel & gas fireplaces and fires as well as flexible chimney liners and twinwall flue systems.

Installation of Solid Fuel Fireplaces & Real Fires by HETAS Engineers

If you want a wood burning fireplace installed, our network of HETAS qualified solid fuel fitters covers the following areas:

• B - Birmingham (B), Blackpool (FY), Bolton (BL), Bradford (BD), Brighton (BN), Burnley (BB)
• C - Canterbury (CT), Cardiff (CF), Chelmsford (CM), Chester (CH), Colchester (CO), Coventry (CV), Crewe (CW)
• D - Dartford (DA), Derby (DE), Doncaster (DN), Dudley (DY)
• G - Gloucester (GS), Guildford (GU)
• H - Halifax (HX), Harrogate (HG), Hereford (HR2, HR3, HR4, HR5, HR6), Huddersfield (HD), Hull (HU)
• I - Ilford (IG), Ipswich (IP)
• K - Kingston upon Thames (KT)
• L - Leeds (LS), Leicester (LE), Liverpool (L), Llandrindod (LD), Llandudno (LL17, LL18, LL19, LL35, LL36, LL37, LL38, LL39, LL40, LL42), London (E)
• M - Manchester (M)
• N - Newport (NP), Norwich (NR), Nottingham (NG)
• O - Oldham (OL)
• P - Preston (PR)
• R - Reading (RG), Redhill (RH), Rochester (ME), Romford (RM)
• S - Sheffield (S), Shrewsbury (SY), Slough (SL), Stockport (SK), Stoke (ST)
• T - Tonbridge (TN), Twickenham (TW)
• W - Wakefield (WF), Walsall (WS), Warrington (WA), Wigan (WN), Worcester (WR)
• Y - York (YO)

Installation of Gas Fires and Fireplaces by Gas Safe Engineers

If you want a gas fire or fireplace installed, our network of Gas Safe fitters covers the following areas:

• B - Birmingham (B), Blackpool (FY), Bolton (BL), Bradford (BD), Burnley (BB)
• C - Cambridge (CB), Cardiff (CF), Chelmsford (CM), Chester (CH), Colchester (CO), Coventry (CV), Crewe (CW)
• D - Derby (DE), Doncaster (DN), Dudley (DY)
• E - Enfield (EN)
• G - Gloucester (GS)
• H - Halifax (HX), Harrogate (HG), Harrow (HA), Huddersfield (HD), Hull (HU)
• I - Ilford (IG)
• K - Kingston upon Thames (KT)
• L - Leeds (LE), Leicester (LE), Liverpool (L), Llandudno (LL17, LL18, LL19), London (E, N, NW, SE, SW, W)
• M - Manchester (M)
• N - Newport (NP), Nottingham (NG)
• O - Oldham (OL)
• P - Peterborough (PE), Preston (PR)
• R - Romford (RM)
• S - Sheffield (S), Stevenage (SG), Stockport (SK)
• T - Twickenham (TW)
• W - Wakefield (WF), Walsall (WS), Warrington (WA), Watford (WD), Wigan (WN), Worcester (WR)
• Y - York (YO)

If you would like to book a survey please call us on 01484 434327. An initial survey is necessary to make sure the fire or fireplace you want is suitable for your home and to confirm the fitting costs. In most areas there is a charge of £25 for a survey, which is refundable from your installation bill.

Marble is the natural choice for anyone wanting a stone fireplace with a smooth, high-gloss finish. However, shoppers are often confused about the differences between natural and micro-grain marble fireplaces. This buyers guide explains the differences between the two types of marble fireplace to help you make the right choice.

Natural Marble Fireplaces

Marble is a hard stone which is well suited for being sculpted into ornate designs. Veining is a natural feature of marble, giving a traditional appearance well-suited to reproduction fireplaces but less popular for contemporary interiors. Natural marble fire surrounds are often used in fireplace packages for real fires. Carrara marble, often used for Georgian and Victorian style fireplaces, has fine grey veining on a light background.

Micro Marble Fireplaces

Micro marble fireplaces are either made from aesthetically unappealing (ie heavily veined) natural marble with a resin surface coating or in some cases are entirely cast from resin. The resin contains crushed marble and dyes to give an even and consistent colour. Micro marble fireplaces feel like real stone - solid and cool to touch - but are not recommended for use with real fires as the resin could be damaged by the intense heat.

If you want a good value fireplace for a modern home, you have a wide choice of affordable micro marble fireplaces in both contemporary and classic designs. A typical micro marble fireplace includes a fire surround, hearth and a back panel suitable for use with inset gas and electric fires. Natural marble fireplaces have an authentic traditional appearance ideal for period interiors, but offer less choice of design and are more expensive to buy. Natural marble fire surrounds are often used with cast iron fireplace arches and tiled inserts, and can be used with real fires.

Contemporary wooden fireplace surrounds broadly fall into two categories - updated versions of traditional designs which have a timeless appearance, and designs directly inspired by modern aesthetic movements such as minimalism. Although some modern fireplaces are made from solid wood, wood veneered finishes are more common. Wood veneer finishes give a more consistent grain pattern and colour which is better suited to modern designs than the unique knot formations of solid timber. Wood veneer fireplace surrounds can be used with gas or electric fires, but are not suitable for use with solid fuel fires.

The Pureglow Stanford oak veneer fireplace surround is a good example of an updated traditional design.  The plain legs and shelf are simple enough to suit a modern room, but it can also work in more traditional settings. The choice of fire is the key to giving a surround like the Stanford a traditional or contemporary feel. A very versatile fire surround like this is a good choice for people who like to change their decor frequently.

In contrast, the Be Modern Kansas fire surround has a linear design geared completely to a modern room. This fireplace surround emphasises horizontal and vertical lines, and the stepped design enhances the sense of depth. Although Be Modern offer the Kansas mantel in a subtle natural oak finish, I think the dark American walnut veneer shown in this picture packs a tremendous punch.

The simple lines of the Winther Browne Orwell fireplace surround are inspired by minimalism. Less is definitely more with this style of fireplace, and the obvious choice would be to use the Orwell in a minimalist room setting. Remember though, the uncluttered lines of this fireplace make it a good choice for a smaller room as well - the design is strong enough to make an impact, but simple enough not to dominate the room.

The Be Modern Brooklyn fireplace surround comes in either a natural oak or golden oak veneer finish, both of which complement the elegance of the design. The deeply bevelled panels of the Brooklyn fire surround create strong diagonal lines, making it seem larger than it really is. The Be Modern Brooklyn is a good choice for someone who wants a large fireplace but doesn't quite have space for one.

The Victorian era spanned over 60 years, and saw its fair share of design trends during this time. The popularity of cast iron fireplace inserts was a constant throughout this period, unmatched in their versatility and practicality. This post explains the main developments in cast iron fireplace inserts through the Victorian age.

Early Victorian Fireplace Inserts

At the beginning of the Victorian era, cast iron fireplace inserts tended to have broad fire chambers with ornate decoration around the opening. This style is a development of the traditional hob grates and horseshoe inserts which were popular in Georgian times. Early Victorian fireplace inserts have a stately and refined presence which is a great fit for elegant interiors.

Mid Victorian Fireplace Inserts

Mid Victorian fireplace design was very pattern conscious, featuring a rich array of geometric motifs. Narrow arched fire chambers are typical of this period, along with ornate geometric decoration around the fireplace arch. Highlighted finishes (polished details on a black background) show off this type of detail to perfection, although a more understated look can be achieved with a black fireplace insert.

Late Victorian Fireplace Inserts

The late Victorian era saw a move away from arched fireplaces towards fireplace inserts with squared off openings and hoods. The use of decorative fireplace tiles either side of the opening became popular as well, offering great scope to personalise a fireplace and echo the living room colour scheme. Fireplace tiles are available in repeating patterns as well as pictorial designs which run across several tiles.

Cast iron fireplace inserts are still popular today, both with people trying to create authentic Victorian fireplace features and for use in more eclectic interiors. While it is possible to source antique fireplace inserts, reproduction fireplaces offer a vast choice of authentic styles as well as modern heating options such as gas and electric fires.

Great News for Fireplace Bargain Hunters!

Fireplaces Are Us have just added some more Be Modern fireplace suites to our popular Budget Fireplaces section. These high quality limestone and marble fireplaces range in size from 46" to 51" wide, and comprise a fire surround, back panel and hearth with the option of a suitable gas or electric fire. The back panels of these fireplaces have a standard size cutout (approx 16" wide x 22" high), making them compatible with most inset electric and gas fires. This makes them ideal for people wanting to buy the best fireplace they can afford at the moment, but hang onto their fire in order to upgrade it at a later date.

Portuguese Limestone Fireplaces

The Be Modern Elsa, Leona and Alicia fireplace suites are made from solid Portuguese limestone. Portuguese limestone is a sedimentary rock formed in layers, giving rise to its distinctive veined appearance interspersed with tiny fossils. Natural variations in sedimentation and fossilisation make each Portuguese limestone fireplace truly unique.

Micro Marble Fireplaces

The Be Modern Roma, Isabelle and Melrose fireplace suites are made from micro-grain marble. Micro marble is made by applying resin containing crushed marble to a solid stone base. This gives it a much more consistent colouring than natural marble, and also makes it far cheaper. Colours available include Almond, Havana and Manila. Micro grain marble fireplaces have a high gloss finish, just like natural marble.

Timeless Classics

Be Modern have taken inspiration for their range of budget fireplaces from both traditional and modern design. However, they taken these ideas and used them to create classic fireplaces with a timeless feel to suit both period and contemporary homes. We think these fireplace suites are an absolute bargain, once again showing why Be Modern are one of the UK's favourite fireplace brands.

Fireplaces shown:

Be Modern Alicia limestone fireplace

Be Modern Melrose limestone fireplace

Electric fireplaces are available in huge range of styles and materials to suit all budgets. The term "electric fireplace" can be applied to complete fireplace packages including an electric fire as well as a fire surround. However, it can also be applied to fireplace suites which are compatible with electric fires. For anyone wondering whether an electric fireplace suite might be the right choice, this post covers the general pros and cons of both types of electric fireplace.

What are the Advantages of Electric Fireplaces?

Installation of an electric fireplace is generally cheaper and simpler than for a gas or solid fuel fireplace. While installation of solid fuel and gas appliances should be done by a qualified engineer, electric fireplace installation is more suited to DIY enthusiasts. Some electric fireplaces come as freestanding units requiring nothing more than to be positioned against the wall and plugged into an electrical socket.

If you need a fireplace suitable for flat wall installation, this is most easily accomplished with an electric fireplace. There are many freestanding electric suites designed specifically for use on a flat wall. There are also many slimline inset electric fires on the market suitable for use with a surround with a 75mm rebate without needing a builders opening, or which offer the option of spacer kits to bring the fire

Most electric fires allow you to operate the flame effect independently from the heat. This means you can have the ambiance of a flame effect even during a heat wave, without making the room hotter.

If you are on a limited budget it is much easier to find a cheap electric fireplace package than an affordable gas or solid fuel package. Budget electric fireplaces often have wood effect or stone effect finishes - these can give a realistic appearance at a fraction of the cost of a solid wood or stone product.

Are There any Disadvantages to Electric Fireplaces?

Most electric fires have a maximum heat output of 2kW. While this is fine for taking the chill off a room in milder weather or supplementing the warmth from central heating, an electric fire has a limited ability to heat your room. In comparison there are many gas fires with heat outputs of 4kW or more.

Most electric fires are fan heaters, meaning there will be a small amount of noise during use. While most people find the noise from an electric fire unobtrusive, some people are more sensitive to sounds than others and may find this disturbing.

Fireplaces designed exclusively for use with an electric fire are often made from lightweight composite materials such as MDF with a wood or stone effect finish. If the fireplace is constructed from this type of material you cannot convert it at a later date for use with a gas fire or solid fuel fire.

If you buy an electric fireplace suite you may not have any choice over what fire comes with it. Buying a separate fireplace and fire usually costs more but gives you greater flexibility to personalise the overall package and get the best fit to your living room decor.

Advice to Shoppers 

Make sure an electric fireplace has the features you want before you commit yourself to a purchase. If you opt for buying a separate fireplace and electric fire, make sure they are compatible with each other. If the product information doesn't make this clear, your retailer should be happy to answer any further questions. Check whether the fireplace price includes the electric fire as well as the surround, and if buying on the internet also check if VAT and delivery are included.

Fireplace shown: Be Modern Stanton electric fireplace suite

Building on the popularity of our installation service in Yorkshire and Lancashire, Fireplaces Are Us are pleased to announce we have extended our fire & fireplace fitting service to the London area. Our HETAS and Gas Safe Register qualified engineers are available to install fireplaces, gas & solid fuel fires as well as flexible chimney liners and twinwall flue systems.

Installation of Solid Fuel Fireplaces, Fires & Flues

Our HETAS qualified engineers are available to install solid fuel fireplaces and fires as well as flexible chimney liners and twinwall flue systems in the following areas:

• Kingston upon Thames (KT)
• Twickenham (TW)
• Dartford (DA)
• London (E)

Installation of Gas Fireplaces, Fires & Flues

We have Gas Safe Register engineers available to install gas fires & fireplaces in the following areas:

• Kingston upon Thames (KT)
• Ilford (IG)
• Romford (RM)
• London (W, SW, SE, NW, N, E)
• Enfield (EN)
• Harrow (HA)
• Watford (WD)
• Twickenham (TW)

If you are in one of the above postcode areas and would like to book a survey, please call our installation team on 01484 434327. There is an initial charge of £25 for the survey, however this is fully refundable from your installation costs.  The installation survey is necessary to make certain the fire or fireplace you want is suitable for installation in your home, to give advice about suitable products should you need it, and to provide an accurate quote for installation.

If you are a HETAS or Gas Safe engineer working in any of the areas we don't currently cover, we invite you to submit your details for consideration as a contractor. We are committed to offering the best possible service to our customers, and want to roll out our installation service to all areas of the UK.

From a functional viewpoint the idea of fireplaces in modern homes can seem irrelevant, a throwback to the days when ostentatious ornamentation ruled  and effective central heating was nothing but fantasy. However, from an aesthetic point of view a geometric contemporary fireplace can do a lot to update a period home or enhance a modern interior. This post aims to give you some ideas for ways to incorporate a modern fireplace into your living room.

Keep it Simple

The Be Modern Porto limestone fireplace just oozes understated elegance. The simplicity of this design makes it a good match to minimalist interiors, and the Porto fireplace is versatile enough to either stand out as a main focal point or blend in with a restful neutral scheme. I think the Be Modern Porto fireplace suite would look stunning on a feature chimney breast with a bold geometric wallpaper pattern.

Step by Step

The Winther Browne Innsbruck suite is a complete fireplace package with electric fire included, and is suitable for flat wall fixing. The satin white finish evokes a cool, glacial look to sit happily in a colour scheme dominated by white or to contrast with a coloured feature wall. The stepped back panel creates a sense of depth and emphasises the squared off shape of the surround for maximum impact.

Opposites Attract

The strong grain pattern of the walnut veneer used on the Be Modern Kansas fireplace suite makes a stark contrast with the consistent colour of the micro-marble back panel and hearth. However, a sense of unity is created by the repetition of the stepped design in both the mantel and back panel. The linear design of the Be Modern Sensation gas fire perfectly complements the Kansas fireplace.

Monochrome Magic

The Gallery Clifton fireplace combines lines and curves to give a softer appearance than the other modern fireplaces we've looked at. However, the contrast of the pale surround and hearth against the black slip set really emphasises the linear nature of the design. With an overall width of just 42", the Gallery Clifton fireplace is very popular for smaller rooms, and comes in a range of materials to suit different budgets and colour schemes.

If you want more ideas or information, Fireplaces Are Us supply a wide range of contemporary fireplaces. You are welcome to call us on 01484 434322 if you need help or advice.