Fires | Fireplaces | Stoves

Broseley eVolution Range

2012-02-11T22:08:00.000Z

The latest range of stoves from Broseley is the eVolution range.The stoves incorporate the very best of contemporary stove design with the latest Broseley Fire & Stove Technology. All the eVolution stoves are highly efficient, clean burning and flexible with the choice of freestanding, inset or boiler stoves there is an eVolution stove to fit every home.

As per a vast majority of their range the Broseley eVolution stoves are approved by DEFRA to be burn wood in a smoke control zone. Easily controlable using the single air control at the bottom can give up to 85.5% efficiency on the eVolution 5 freestanding stove. As shown below, with just a single adjustment of the air control you can adjust the burn rate from a roaring fire to a gentle smoulder.

The cast iron body and large portrait window offer an unobstructed view of the fire inside while making loading simple using a single large door. The eVolution range of stoves would make a stunning addition to any living space. The eVolution 5 is also available with a log store, (shown in the above video) to reduce the space needed for your stove and providing a suitable location to keep wood for when the stove is running low.
These stoves cannot be sold online, Broseley want to ensure that these stoves are only sold by qualified retailers, displaying the Broseley Authorised Dealer symbol, to ensure you are supplied with the very best stove for your needs. The eVoltution 5 multifuel stove is now on display @Fireplace Megastore

Product Update: Laura Ashley

2012-02-09T11:48:00.000Z

The Laura Ashley Company has come a long way. Literally starting out as a London based “kitchen table business” in 1953. Laura Ashley was inspired after visiting a Women’s Institute exhibition on home crafts. Along with her husband Bernard, Laura started out by making patchwork quilts from their own printed fabrics.

Now, Laura Ashley is a household name, synonymous with beauty, refinement and of course those lovely floral prints. The company has expanded into furniture, lighting and now fires and fireplaces. All the Laura Ashley range of fireplaces are all named after flowers, such as Fuchsia, Azalea, Wisteria and Camellia. Hardly surprising coming from Laura Ashley!
Laura Ashley have just refreshed their range of fires and fireplaces to bring a new range of exciting and stylish fireplaces to your living room. Highlights of the new range include the Foxglove, shown above left, which is available in both Oak and Limestone. Pictured in Natural oak with elated effect tile back panel and hearth with the Woburn Inset 5kW Multifuel Stove.
The Woburn Stove marks a bold new item from Laura Ashley, previously sticking to Fireplaces and inset gas fires. The Woburn Multifuel stove incorporates a unique air management system with innovative clean burn and air wash technology which gives the user total control of the heat output and performance of the fire, but without compromising on the view of the fire inside. Available as both inset and freestanding both stoves are granted DEFRA exemption from the Clean Air act, meaning they can burn wood in smokeless zones. Both stoves feature a subtle highlighted detailing and a cast iron Laura Ashley logo that would make both stoves a stunning focal point in any room.
Another highlight of the rangeis the Aster fireplace surround, this contemporary design of natural limestone and stone lines frame the fire inside perfectly, while allowing the surround to blend perfectly in with almost style of decor.
We are proud to announce that Fireplace Megastore stocks the new range of Laura Ashley fires and fireplaces exclusively in our showroom. Beautifully styled and designed with the inimitable elegance of Laura Ashley, these fires and fireplaces are made using the very best in stone, marble and solid wood.

As the Laura Ashley range is manufactured jointly with one of the leading British fire and fireplace manufacturers, you can be sure of purchasing a fire or fireplace of the highest quality.

These fires and fireplaces are so exclusive that they cannot be sold directly on-line. However, you can visit the Fireplace Megastore showroom where they will be more than happy to demonstrate some of the Laura Ashley range of fires and fireplaces to you. Laura Ashley have carefully selected and approved fireplace retailers who can give expert one-to-one advice.

The fire options are electric, glass fronted gas fires and multi-flue gas fires.Fire frames and frets are available in either chrome or brass that will easily work with any decor.

Bio Ethanol Flueless Fires Now Accepted As A Credible Alternative To Both Gas Fires And Electric Fires

2012-02-07T11:36:00.000Z

Having been the first Bio Ethanol Fire company to be awarded ‘First Prize’ in The Best Alternative Category and achieving a ‘Runners Up’ position in The Best Overall Product Category at this years Hearth & Home Exhibition in Harrogate The Naked Flame have firmly announced themselves as the ones to watch in the supply of Bio Ethanol Flueless Fires to the UK marketplace.
“Just by being nominated for the awards gives credible acceptance that Bio Ethanol Flueless Fires by The Naked Flame have now been recognised as a real alternative to both gas and electric fires” said Andrea Riley the company managing director, “but then to go on to win one award and achieve a runners up place in another establishes our products as credible eco-friendly heating solutions for the home”.
Traditionally, the only alternative to gas and electric fires has been solid fuel fires. However, with the ever increasing costs of both gas and electricity coupled with the increase in apartment living and the fact that many homes no longer having working chimneys Bio Ethanol Flueless Fires offer real flames as the perfect alternative without the worry of costly installation or ‘how much your bill is going to be for heating your living room the previous night’.
Working 100% efficiently without the need for a chimney or flue The Naked Flame offers a wide range of Bio Ethanol Flueless Fire products that can sit on table tops, in ‘hole in the wall’ situations or mock/empty fireplaces, they can also free stand in the centre of a living room or conservatory or be screwed to almost any wall by any capable DIY enthusiast. Installation really is that simple. However, if you are unsure, The Naked Flame always advise that you seek professional advice about fixing to walls.
With no smoke emissions there is no need for a chimney or flue and you do not need to worry about toxins as ethanol does not emit any when burning, it’s only emission is carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour in amounts almost equal to that of a person exhaling. No smoke means no black marks on ceilings and the benefit of a ‘no chimney requirement’ means that 100% of the heat stays in the room with you. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the experience in the knowledge that because you have pre-purchased your fuel which is sold in cases of 12 litres at a time and delivered for free, your fully in control of your heating cost expenditure should this be a concern to you.
So there you have it, Bio Ethanol Flueless Fires are suitable for any situation, are eco-friendly, give off no smoke or toxins, can sit on tabletops, hole in wall situations, in empty fireplaces or mock fireplace or can freestand, there’s even a version built in to a coffee table. They really are a credible alternative to a gas or electric fire and now available from House 2 Home Megastore

Woodburning Stoves: A History

2012-02-01T09:19:00.000Z

Wood burning stoves started out as a way to heat a home more effectively than with open fireplaces, which had traditionally been used. The first models were placed against the opening of the fireplace so that the fumes could escape through the chimney. They were essentially a metal box, but they heated a room more thoroughly than a traditional fireplace because they reached further into the room.

Eventually, wood burning stoves were developed that were completely closed. This meant that instead of relying on an open fireplace they had their own chimneys and a flue. This development allowed the stoves to be positioned away from the wall so that the heat was distributed all around the room.

Early Designs

Woodburner stoves originated in America and it was in 1642 that the first one was invented in Massachusetts. It wasn’t until 1744 that the idea was substantially improved when Benjamin Franklin produced his own wood burning stove. Named ‘the Franklin Stove’ after its inventor, it was made from cast iron. Although it was open fronted and similar in appearance to a brick fireplace, it gave off more heat than a traditional fireplace and less smoke whilst using a smaller amount of fuel.

Another improvement that Franklin installed was a flue, which was initially situated in the floor of the stove and later next to the chimney. The main feature of the Franklin Stove was the ability for air to circulate.

Various minor improvements then took place over the following two centuries, but the original design of the Franklin Stove is still credited to Franklin. This design remains today, but various changes to style and efficiency have taken place.

In 1796, the Rumford fireplace was constructed by Count Rumford. It developed from the original Franklin design but included various enhancements. One of these was to angle the hearth and make the choke of the chimney tighter so that the smoke would be drawn up the chimney faster.

Construction

Early wood burning stoves, on which modern designs are based, were made from either steel, cast iron or another type of durable metal. They had a thick door and adjustable grates to control the amount of air in circulation and therefore control burning.

Woodburners have a chimney at the top and a flue. They usually stand on brick, concrete or stone, and it is essential that the floor that they are mounted on is level. Smoke is drawn outside the building and will flow upwards providing the air outside is colder than the gasses inside the chimney.

Progress

As developments in wood burning stoves took place, they were able to perform other functions besides heating the home. From the early 20th Century features such as metal draws and ovens were added so that they could be used for cooking. They also changed in appearance, from a metal fireplace to a freestanding stove with four legs. These freestanding models were often constructed from cheaper materials, which were less resilient but had the advantage of making them portable. They had flat metal surfaces so that pans could be placed on top of them for cooking. Alternatively, a pot could be inserted into a hole in the stove and heated directly by the flames.

Late 20th Century Developments

The concept of a sealed unit with controlled air circulation remained, with the main changes affecting appearance and function rather than efficiency. For example, as well as being used for cooking, pot‐bellied and cylinder variations of wood burning stoves emerged. In the 1970’s, however, major innovations took place, which arose because of the oil crisis. As wood burning stoves increased in popularity their inadequacies became apparent. For instance, the use of a wood burning stove as the main source of heating for the home demanded enormous amounts of wood. Apart from this factor, they created pollution and were a fire hazard.

The fire hazard was a consequence of householders reducing the air intake of the wood burner once the fire was burning well. This was so that the stove would burn for longer periods and produce a more even heat distribution. The problem with this was that there would be unburned resins escaping up the flue. Once these resins cooled sufficiently creosote would form inside the stove pipe. This was hazardous as the creosote would ignite once a certain temperature was reached, resulting in a dangerously hot fire throughout the stove pipe.

This culminated in a drive towards producing more efficient models, which had longer burn times and lower levels of pollution.

The Present Day

Thankfully, today’s wood burning stoves have addressed earlier problems. Modern wood burning stoves are constructed from steel and aluminium and are airtight. They have firebrick linings which mean that they retain more heat and are therefore more efficient. They are also kinder to the environment as current models give off fewer gases, and any co2 that is emitted is absorbed by growing trees.

Nowadays, stoves have to meet set guidelines regarding smoke emissions due to environmental concerns, particularly with a number of urban areas forming smoke control zones, meaning you will need a stove approved by DEFRA to burn wood. Because they are considered as an environmentally friendly source of heating they continue to retain their popularity in the 21st Century. There are now a wide range of wood burners and multifuel stoves on the market in various shapes and sizes and with different heating capacities to suit requirements. What these modern wood burning stoves have in common is their efficiency and kindness to the environment. Added to that, many people find them attractive because they create a homely feel and a sense of nostalgia.

Now That Spring Is On It's Way

2012-01-30T14:24:00.000Z

For those of us who own a log burner the time has come to start looking to restock stores of seasoned logs ready for next year, wood burns most efficiently with a moisture content no greater than 20%, this can either be bought in bulk from companies such as Certainly Wood, or if you can get free wood, either from windfalls (ask the landowner's permission first) or perhaps if you are good friends with a tree surgeon who can donate his cuttings. This 'green' wood can have a moisture content of more than triple the recommended 20% and if burned 'green' then this wood would produce very little heat and large amounts of smoke that could cause a build-up of creosote in the flue.
Obviously you will need somewhere to let the wood season, let the moisture leave the wood. There is no point just piling it up and covering it with a tarpaulin, it will just sweat and go mouldy and useless. You need a log-store. Somewhere open enough for the wind to be able to blow through the wood and take out a majority of that moisture while also keeping it sheltered for the more extreme elements.

There are a wide variety of Log Stores available from places such as House 2 Home Megastore, as above they can be combined with a tool store for the budding gardener, but likewise if you perhaps already have a garden shed and don't necessarily need extra storage space then there are other options available.
The standard design of log-store is shown right. Slatted walls on three sides allow the wind to blow through and a roof will keep the rain off.
Be sure to purchase a log store made from FSC Certified Materials and with an in-service guarantee to make sure your log store lasts.
All the Log Stores from House 2 Home Megastore come with at least a 5 year in-service guarantee, with some offering 15 years! These log stores will ensure you've got seasoned wood for your log-burner for years to come!

Top 10 tips for Reducing Your Heating Costs by Installing a Wood Burning Stove

2012-01-25T08:16:00.000Z

On freezing winter days like the ones we have managed to almost dodge completely this winter, could there anything nicer than coming in from the cold and curling up in front of a wood-burning stove? Aside from the romantic vision of cups of hot chocolate in front of a glowing stove, did you know that installing a wood-burning stove could potentially reduce your energy bills?

Even with the recent gas and electricity price cuts that have been announced by some of the biggest energy suppliers this week (following their steep price rises last year), it is definitely worth considering alternative forms of home heating to reduce your energy costs and over-reliance on gas and electricity.

So, to give us the low-down on wood-burning stoves and how to maximise our heating whilst minimising our energy bills, the chaps at gr8fires have shared their top 10 tips, plus we have an exclusive offer for all Queen of Easy Green™ readers, see below.

Top 10 tips for Reducing Your Heating Costs by Installing a Wood Burning Stove

1.     Install a wood-burning stove
That’s the inevitable starting point for saving money with a wood-burning stove. This will reduce your heating costs by cutting your reliance on central heating. You can turn off the radiators in rooms that you don’t need to keep warm and use the stove as your main source of heat.
2.     Choose the right stove
Picking the best stove for your needs is essential in helping you to save money. If you don’t fit a stove with a heat output suited to the room, it will reduce your chances of cutting your heating costs. Opting for a more expensive model with a greater output to heat a larger room will pay for the price difference in no time at all.
3.     Consider a wood-burning boiler stove
Installing a boiler stove is one way of further cutting your heating bills. You can use the heat generated by your stove to also heat the water in your home. The dual use of your stove means you can cut your central heating costs even further.
4.     Use properly seasoned wood
The type of wood you use has a huge impact on the efficiency of your stove. Using seasoned wood -which has been cut, split and left to air for at least a year – is the best way to minimise your heating costs. Seasoned wood contains far less moisture, burns more efficiently and heats your home more quickly than freshly cut wood. Use a log store to allow your wood to season and to help you build up a supply that should last you all winter.

5.     Control your stove’s air supply properly
Both the bottom (primary) and top (secondary) air vents should be open when you light your stove. Once the fire is burning well, you should be able to close the primary vent and control the fire using only the secondary vent for a more efficient burn.
6.     Get your chimney swept regularly
As a minimum you should get your chimney swept annually before you start using the stove regularly. Ideally, it should be swept every three to four month when the stove is in regular use.
7.     Use dry kindling to start the fire
Using small pieces of wood to get the fire going will heat your stove more quickly and, as a result, your room will start heat more efficiently once you add logs. The sooner your stove is up to temperature, the sooner the convection process can have an impact on the rest of the room.
8.     Use free wood
One of the best aspects of installing a stove is that you can easily find a supply of free fuel. From saving friends and family from a trip to the tip to salvaging fallen trees from your nearest forest (with the landowner’s permission), there are plenty of opportunities to heat your home for free.
9.     Don’t be tempted to throw another log into the stove. Once you have loaded the stove with logs, don’t continually top up your stove as they burn. Wait until all the logs have been burnt to glowing embers before reloading the stove. Continually adding more wood is considerably less efficient.
10. Keep the door closed
It is a simple tip, but one that causes unnecessary confusion for many stove users. Once the stove is lit, the door should be closed. This increases the efficiency of the burn by up to 60 per cent.

45 Years Of Corian

2012-01-23T08:44:00.000Z

Invented and produced by DuPont, Corian® is a solid surface offering superior design possibilities and excellent long-term performance, used both in the home and in many different commercial environments, from hotels to healthcare, retail to marine.
With its balance of beauty and performance, Corian® lends itself to imaginative uses, innovative designs and enduring applications.
If you can imagine it, you can probably create it with Corian®. Available in over 100 colours, Corian® can be carved, routed or worked like wood, moulded, thermoformed or inlayed… the design options are almost limitless, but enough of the endless possibilities that Corian® can be used for, we're going to look at just one, and one fire manufacturer that have created arguably one of the most popular fires of the last few years.

In April this year Corian® will celebrate it's 45th year. almost half a century of creating everything from kitchen worktops, to pieces of modern art and even gas and electric fires. With this milestone in mind we showcase just how one fire manufacturer showcases this amazing material.
Brilliant Fires are the only manufacturer to take advantage of the versatile material, creating stunning fires from the Brilliant NewDawn-E, a breath-taking electric fire with a flame effect that is totally unique and almost without competition in terms of authentic appearance, to the Ledge suite, combining this stunning material with a beautiful hole-in-the-wall style fireplace

The Brilliant Ledge is a Simple yet chic fireplace design and makes a bold statement without being over the top. Boasting fully automatic remote control as standard and makes a stunning focal point in any room. While the choice of Corian® finishes allows you to choose a colour that contrasts or complements existing decor. The 2.7kW heat output means this fire will give you that warm glow in an evening and help keep that cold edge off long after the central heating has turned off.

Another model in the Brilliant range that showcases a stunning Corian® fascia is the NewDawn and Brilliant NewDawn-E. These stunning fires combine the stunning Corian® fascia of the Ledge and Slab ranges with a simple Hole-In-The-Wall style finish to create a highly desirable finish that can be tempered to your colour scheme.

The micro-chip controlled LED flame effect eliminates the need for ribbons and fans that add to the depth of the fire, meaning the Newdawn-E is a mere 75mm deep, approximately half the depth of a majority of the other electric fires on the market, but this depth doesn't detract from the heat output, offering 2kWof fan heat blowing from the bottom, meaning it may be possible to install underneath a television, but it may be worth double checking with the tv manufacturer first, just to be on the safe side.

All of these fires are available in over 100 different colours of Corian® finishes, allowing you to go for a neutral colour to complement existing decor, or to contrast, creating a bold design statement and drawing maximum attention to your fire.

Manufacture Focus: Cast Tec

2012-01-21T12:24:00.000Z

Cast Tec has its origins back in 1983 when Managing Director Geoff Moore became a sole trader buying and restoring original cast-iron fireplaces using the family ‘dip & strip’ business premises in North Shields as a base.
Demand for cast-iron fireplaces was very limited in the early 1980’s but with a housing boom looming in the South-East weekly commuting took place to Camden Market in north London to sell fireplaces from an indoor market stall on a weekend.
1984 heralded a small shop unit in Camden Lock called the Victorian Fireplace Co. where original fireplaces purchased in the north-east were sold for 15 years.

1987 saw the restoration and manufacturing side of the business moving to a factory workshop in Washington, Tyne & Wear.
Brian Hart, now Cast Tec’s Operations Director, joined from the company at this time to take on the responsibility for running the workshop.
1990 saw the housing boom turn sour and the recession of the early 1990’s affected trading conditions in the London shop. The response was to open a retail showroom in the Washington premises in the north. Called Grate Expectations, the showroom opened in 1989 and traded for 15 years.
1998 saw the humble beginnings of Cast Tec when it was decided that the Distribution of Reproduction cast-iron fireplaces to the trade would be the way forward. It was the only way supply could meet demand in the future and an approach was made by Britannia Castings which resulted in the exclusive rights for Cast Tec to distribute what became the Portman Collection range of cast-iron products in the UK.
1999 heralded the end of an era with the closure of The Victorian Fireplace Co. shop in Camden Lock due to the increasing difficulty of obtaining original fireplaces with demand outstripping supply.
That year Tony Byrne, who ran the London shop from 1995-99, became the first sales/delivery driver for Cast Tec progressing on to become Sales Director.
2002 saw Cast Tec become a Limited Company and the following year they gained the exclusive rights to import and distribute the Agnews range of quality cast-iron fireplaces throughout the UK mainland.
2005 saw the established Firemaster name and range of products being brought into the Cast Tec stable on behalf of the Ouzledale Foundry Co. Ltd.
2006 heralded an exciting move for the 20 staff of Cast Tec Ltd. to a new 30,000 sq ft. factory premises inside the Port Of Tyne in South Shields where they have access to the Port’s outstanding facilities.

Kevin McCloud On Owning A Woodburner

2012-01-19T12:56:00.000Z

In this month's issue of Grand Designs Kevin McCloud sheds a little light on one of his essential stove accessories.
"Those of us in possession of a Woodburner have been stoking them into life since autumn, and as long as the wintry nights continue and the mercury tumbles, we won't be stopping anytime soon.
Most woodburners sit in a chimney or alcove, quickly heating the pocket of air around the it to a roasting 60'C - you have to wait an hour or so for the metal to get truly hot...
Hence the need for a stove fan, a simply brilliant idea, it sits on the Woodburner and blows the warm air from around the stove into the room and it is powered entirely by the heat generated below it.
Benjamin Franklin may have been clever enough to invent the Woodburner, but his brain wasn't quite able to get round thermoelectrics!"

A simple flow of heat from hot metal to cold metal through a special layer that generates electricity and turns the fan blades and gently pushes warm air into the room! The blades of the stove fan spin silently and efficiently, circulating the warm air around the room, the blades spinning faster as the stove heats up and then slowing and finally coming to a stop as the stove cools.This can circulate up to 25% more heat into the room, reducing the amount of wood you need to burn and saving money!

Hole In The Wall Fires - A Simple Guide

2012-01-17T09:07:00.000Z

Just over a decade ago a hole-in-the-wall gas fire was almost impossible to find, with most fires stilll following a traditional period design, while looking brilliant and doing a great job at replicating the look of a real fire, will give out very little heat into the room and uses a very large amount of gas.
Oh how the world has changed, we're less than a month into 2012, the Olympic year, and there 99 products on Fireplace Megastore alone under Hole In The Wall Gas Fires, Class 1 and 2. That doesn't include any Balanced flue or Catalytic Flueless fires that further add to the available options.
An incredible number of UK manufacturer's have created designs, as well as European manufacturers such as Drugasar, have introduced or imported an amazing array of gas fires. You can still get the traditional basket style, some of which have been improved to offer a better heat output..

The most basic open-fronted hole-in-the-wall design is open-fronted, much like the Verine Atina, look realistic but at least 90% of all heat disappears up the chimney and research actually indicates that some designs actually remove heat from the room. Realism tends to change proportionally to efficiency. In terms of looks, inset convector fires, are realistic with contemporary surrounding metalwork and open front. Efficiency is far better than an hole-in-the-wall design and typically around 35 – 40%. Most efficient, but not realistic in some people’s view, is the glass-fronted, gas-inset, hole-in-the-wall fire, such as the Drugasar Global 90 or Apex Influence. Its glass front gives efficiencies of 70% plus, particularly when the design utilises a balanced flue (which requires no chimney– Drugasar are one of the principle manufacturers of balanced flue fires). Not all glass fronted designs are balanced flue – chimney flues and fanned flues are also common. Hole-in-the-wall fires are available with all the popular fuel effects.Although coals remain the most popular choice (and the most realistic), logs come a good second with new fuel effects like dancing flames, pebbles, driftwood and twigs also popular. Traditional hole-in-the-wall designs need coal or log effects – the more modern options simply look out of place.

Electrical Designs
There are a growing number of electric hole in the wall design. These have a number of advantages in that they do not need chimneys or other flues, are often quite shallow in depth and may simply hang on the wall. Like most electric fires, a maximum of 2 kW of heat is available from a built-in, fanned convector.Some, such as the Drugasar Metro 80e, are available as the highly contemporary frameless finish, but most offer that simple hang on the wall installation.

Bio-Ethanol

A recent addition to the hole in the wall range of fires available, and besides electric fires amoung the easiest to install. Unlike gas fires they do not require a chimney, flue or vent in the room and provide 100% efficiency. Another advantage of such fires means that unlike gas fires that require a Gas Installer to service the appliance every 12 months, most bioethanol fires feature only 1 moving part so are incredibly reliable.

Surrounds
A hole-in-the-wall fire is not complete without a surround. Although some people like a design that is just a rectangular alcove in the wall, most want the fire to be surrounded with some sort of fireplace. Marble and stone are the favoured materials for the surround and will probably have to be cut to size for your installation. If you use stone, make sure that it does not have a direct flame playing on the stone as some types can degrade dramatically in these conditions. Marble fireplaces can be made out of natural or conglomerate marble. However, conglomerate marble will start to disintegrate at high temperatures and is more suitable for gas fires. Also consider a brick surround. This will have to be tailor made for your fireplace but bricks are a robust hole-in-the-wall material that will stand high levels of thermal shock.

Installation
Hole-in-the-wall installation can be expensive. If you have an existing chimney, your installer will have to
‘break into’ it above the normal fireplace opening. This probably means inserting a lintel above the new opening to support the chimney brickwork. Below the new opening, the brickwork will have to be built up to the level required for your particular design. It is possible to build a false chimney breast for your proposed hole-in-the-wall fire. This would allow a flue to rise vertically from a conventionally-flued gas or solid fuel design and would accommodate the depth of the unit itself. Check with the instructions of the fire you choose as it will stipulate minimum distances that the fire can be sited from combustible materials.Some hole-in-the-wall fires do not require hearths while other do. For gas fires this depends on what was agreed when the fire was tested for conformity to European standards. Check on the requirements for the fire you want to purchase. If a hearth is required, for a open gas fire, it must be at least 50mm thick, overlap the burning area of the fire by at least 150 mm and project at least 300 mm in front of the foremost flames of burning fuel. It can be either mounted directly below the floor or a ground level – the former option is normally unacceptable on aesthetic grounds. Balanced flue hole-in-the-wall fires are growing in popularity, particularly manufacturers such as Drugasar, Site them on an outside wall and you can forget all the problems of moving lintels, etc.

Opening Up Your Fireplace

2012-01-15T10:17:00.000Z

So you've just moving into a new house or flat and notice there is a chimney breast in your living room but no fireplace! No living room can be complete without a fireplace, both as a focal point and as a compliment to other heating the room, allowing you to turn down the central heating and just enjoy the warmth that a gas, solid fuel or electric fire offers.
Where Do I Start?
To start you'll need to find out if your chimney breast has a fireplace opening. Tap where you thing the fireplace is, or if there is an air-brick, remove it. This will help determine what has been used to block up the opening, whether plasterboard, MDF, timber or block-work.
If you're a competent handy-person you may be able to try and remove the material blocking the opening, but if you find a broken lintel, or no lintel at all, STOP IMMEDIATELY and call in a building professional.
Now I've Made My Opening, Is My Chimney Usable?
Whether the chimney is usable rests entirely on your chimney or flue has a pull, or up- draught, without this there would be no way of drawing the harmful exhaust gases out of the room. (To get an idea of what flue you have click here)

Most gas fitters, or solid fuel engineers will test the pull of a chimney by using a smoke pellet or match, but you can test this yourself. Try lighting a match, blowing it out near the entrance to the flue, see if the smoke trail is sucked up the chimney.
Ideally you should see the smoke trail be sucked up the chimney, indicating a good pull by the flue. If not, this may be because the flue has been partially or completely blocked, or even removed! Check rooms above or in the loft, the chimney breast should go through those rooms too, a missing chimney breast would need to be rebuilt to re-instate the flue before you could use a conventionally flued appliance.
Although it does not stop you using a catalytic flueless gas fire or a bio-ethanol fire. Another issue may be that the chimney has been capped, head outside (weather permitting) and look up at the chimney, binoculars may be helpful, to see if there is a metal cap on the chimney pots. This cap would need to be removed and providing that the rest of flue is intact then removal of the cap will re-instate the pull of the flue, allowing the freedom to have fires such as the stunning Drugasar Eclipse suite (shown right).
I've done all of the above, but my chimney still has no pull, I think it's blocked.
The best thing to do would be to consult a chimney sweep and see if they can sweep the chimney and clear any blockage. If you're looking to install a wood or solid fuel appliance then most manufacturers recommend having the chimney swept every 6 months, with many stove manufacturers advising that a flue liner be fitted to ensure the flue has a uniform pull.
I've Decided What Fire I Want, Can I Fit It Myself?
No, Simple As That. Gas fires must be fitted by an installer registered with Gas Safe, likewise any solid fuel appliance must be fitted by a HETAS registered engineer. Both of these are legal requirements and doing it yourself may make it very difficult to sell the property, or worse, could seriously endanger your life.

Interior Design Trends For 2012 - Industrial

2012-01-13T09:02:00.000Z

Our final piece on upcoming Interior Design Trends for 2012 is Industrial. Our final trend has the potential to be the most popular of all. The Industrial or Utilitarian furniture has the ability to instantly add a designer feel to almost any living space. This is displayed perfectly right in a modern bar. The bare metal and brick walls combined with the antique wood finish complete the industrial look.
We can now look into just a few ways you can create that look with a fire or fireplace. To either contrast existing decor and create that focal point, or to combine with other items in the same style to truly give the whole room that Industrial/Utilitarian feel.

Our first suggestion follows the stripped back, functional ideals of the Industrial design trend. The new T3 range of Burley stoves, consisting of the Holywell, Brampton, Debdale and the Wakerley. These stoves are incredibly efficient, with the claim that 100kg of seasoned logs can be burnt so efficiently that all the ash could fit into just a single pint glass!

You won't find any unnecessary styling features on these stoves which means all the attention is drawn to the incredibly large glass window showcasing the Cyclone(TM) flame picture.
The simple plate steel styling and wooden handles complement each other nicely and would not look out of place in any living space, or industrial workshop for that matter. Further proving just how perfect these stoves are to create the Industrial look.

While most wood-burning stoves will boast primary, second and tertiary combustion to create very efficient appliances the Burley T3 range of stoves offer the previously unheard of Quaternary combustion. Meaning even less unburnt fuel can be wasted up the chimney and giving you yet more heat for your fuel!

These stoves are NOT available online to purchase, however why not give Fireplace Megastore a call, one of Burley's biggest dealers in the UK and place an order for one of these truly revolutionary stoves!

Our final, but by no means our least favourite suggestion is the Apex Rivas 60 or Rivas 100 gas fire from Apex. Offering a stunning twin level trim available in 5 different finishes from the industrial brushed stainless steel to the incredibly contemporary polished chrome finish. The realistic log or pebble fuel effect can offer both the traditional or contemporary fuel effect.
The heat output of 5.5kW with a high efficiency of up to 75% means that you can heat your room, without heating the outside world at the same time!
As you can see (right) when combined with other industrialist elements in the room, or it can be used as a focal point on a chimney breast to heat your living room on those cold wintery nights!

Interior Design Trends For 2012 - Victoriana

2012-01-11T11:24:00.000Z

In our second entry on design trends for 2012 we look at Victoriana. Family life revolved around the fireplace, hot water would come from the stove, almost all heat came exclusively from the fireplace with the Cast Iron "Victorian" radiator not becoming commonplace until the very late 19th Century.
No Victorian style living room would be complete without the traditional fireplace, so in this entry we shall suggest some of the very best ideas to complete that Victoriana finish. Forget the over-furnished rooms and heavy drapes. While traditional and would give the Victorian finish, they are a little bit over the top for our liking.
Our first suggestion is part of the Premier range from Cast Tec, The Cast Tec Dublin Cast Iron Insert with the Harton Cast Iron Surround. The traditional Victorian finish is displayed in the quality antique finish and complements the matt black and highlight polished areas of the Harton fireplace surround.
Available with either gas, electric or solid fuel means this fire is suitable for anyone, whether you have a chimney or not:

Gas fire with a maximum heat input of 6.9kW with natural gas as standard and is suitable for class 1 or 2 flues
Electric fire that comes with two heat settings of 900W & 1800W which is controlled by a remote control as standard, top venting fire with LED effect and adjustable height
Solid fuel kit which comes complete with fret, ashpan, grate and operating tool. Capable of burning wood peat, and other smokeless fuels

The Dublin & Harton could be used just to give that Victorian highlight and a focal point, or, as pictured in conjunction with other furniture in the room to create a stunning theme that can be the basis for a beautiful home.

Our next suggestion is another cast-iron combination, This time from Carron. The Lambourn Cast-Iron Combination features traditional Victorian styling, that just like the Cast Tec Dublin would create an ideal talking point in any room. The detailing on the mantle and the canopy both add to the effect, while the choice of solid fuel, natural gas or LPG mean that you can have that stunning center-piece, while the choice of tiles means that you can cater the apperaance to your existing decor.

Both of the above fireplaces would create that a stunning Victorian feel to any room, rarely was any piece of furniture not adorned with accessories, pieces were carefully positioned for maximum impact. Pick lighting, throws and cushions with needlepoint detailing, lampshades with intricate patterns; mini statuettes and even faux stuffed animals to complete that Victoriana look.

Interior Design Trends For 2012

2012-01-09T09:34:00.000Z

With 2011 now in the record books, with a much warmer winter than previous years. Many of you may have elected to stick with that tired old fire. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is the phrase that springs to mind and rightfully so, why should you spend a large amount of money on a brand new fire, often following trends that less than three months later are 'so last year'.
So in the following few entries, with the help of Channel 4 Homes, we will details some of the upcoming trends for 2012 and how to get that 'bang-on-trend' fire, fireplace or stove.

Mid-Century Modern
We've long been fans of this look and despite its mainstream popularity for the past two or three years, its popularity is still not dying down. If anything, it is becoming even more popular. With fashions returning that first became popular in the 50's/60's/70's.
The first fire we suggest to create that Mid-Century modern look is the Smeg L30FAB flueless gas fire. This stunning flueless gas fire is available in four different colours, ranging from the bold red pictured above to Cream, Silver & Black. With a heat output of 2.6kW and 100% efficiency this fire can serve both as a bold fashion statement and as an incredibly efficient complimentary heat source for your living room, dining room or kitchen!
For a more 70's look the why not combine the Brilliant NewDawn fire, available in both gas and electric with some retro wall paper to create a focal point on a chimney breast. Shown on the left in Hot Corian to match the bright red leather of a sofa. There is a lovely corner group available from House2Home Megastore.
Both these fires would be perfect to create that Mid-Century Modern trend that will become "Hot" property in 2012.

One final fire to create that Mid-Century Modern look is the Apex Saverno with Art Deco Trim. While the Art Deco movement became popular in the 1920's, it was still prevalent throughout the mid-20th Century. This Stunning fire with simple horizontal detailing and contrast between the brushed steel and matt black fascia levels offers an eye-catching focal point. These fires also have the simplicity, unlike gas fires that mean they can be simply wall mounted, such as electric fires and then used without a flue, chimney or vent.
With more and more high street stores are embracing the look running with it in their ranges - from furniture and wallcoverings, right through to accessories, so you can match your fire to your decor and create that incredibly desirable mid-century modern look.

Reasons to buy a range cooker

2012-01-07T11:20:00.000Z

Big, beautiful and bursting with functions, a range cooker has the capacity to steal the show - making sure the kitchen is the true heart of any home.
But what are the options when it comes to ranges, and why choose a hearty range cooker over a built-in oven for your kitchen?
One of the greatest benefits of a range cooker is its heavy-duty durability and solid construction - they are literally built to last a lifetime.
Not only does this mean your initial investment has long-term benefits, but a range cooker is also kinder onthe environment as it puts landfill sites under less pressure, and with a solid fuel range, can offer Carbon Neutral heating and cooking.
Range cookers exude a feeling of permanence and solidity and, once you use them in the right way, quickly become a focal point in the kitchen and a home essential that you can't live without!

Range cookers have a distinct style, which stand out in the kitchen. Ranginge from a traditional, yet colourful finish of the Broseley Rosetta to the industrious Broseley Thermo Sovrana to the ultra-contemporary Firebelly Razen Cookstove. They add a homeliness, and even a feeling that whoever owns one is a competent and capable cook!
These factors mean that, unlike built-in ovens, range cookers can quickly become a focal point in the kitchen - making this area a place to which people naturally gravitate in the home, particularly if the smell of freshly baked bread or a simmering stew fills the air, a freestanding range cooker has a much stronger presence than built-in appliances.
While most "normal" cookers just come in the standard white or stainless steel, range cookers are available in a large number of extra colours, such as cream enamel, red enamel or even soapstone panels on some of the stoves! These extra colours allow the stove to complement or contrast existing decor to truly create that focal point.
While the common perception is that range cookers are old fashioned so don't have the same features as a "normal" cooker, but this can actually be the opposite. With additional features such as a warming drawer, ideal to warm plates before a large meal or to place bread to rise. With the larger stoves you can also connect them up to your central heating to get the most out of that lovely wood-fire and heat not only your kitchen, but the rest of the house and you hot water as well.

Elderly ignore free gas safety checks as winter starts to bite

2012-01-05T15:26:00.000Z

£134 million worth of potentially life-saving gas safety checksoffered free by the energy suppliers go unclaimed every year, as astaggering number of people are killed by the effects of cold everywinter, according to research carried out for Gas Safe Register,which found that 88% of elderly homeowners have never claimed afree gas safety check.As the winter weather begins to bite and puts increased pressureon our central heating systems, latest official ONS statistics showthat 25,700 died from cold-related illnesses last year. Among theseare the nine elderly people, who died every hour from cold-relatedillnesses.
Gas Safe Register is urging people, particularly the elderly, tomake sure they take advantage of free gas safety checks if they areeligible and ensure they have well-maintained and safe gasappliances. When a gas boiler, gas fire or heater fails, theaverage home can quickly drop to 16°C, the temperature at whichhypothermia can set in. While younger people feel cold, it’s farmore serious for the elderly, whose temperature falls far fasterand to dangerous levels when their home temperature falls below16°C. That’s why the energy companies offer free checks to the mostvulnerable.
The UK has the highest winter death rate in Northern Europe, soGas Safe Register is warning people to make sure their home gasappliances will see them and their loved ones safely through thewinter. ONS data shows that the cold can cause or exacerbateillnesses such as high blood pressure, thrombosis or respiratoryinfections, as it weakens the immune system.
Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Gas Safe Register says,

“We’re urging everyone to take whatever support theycan to keep safe and warm this winter. Having your gas applianceschecked annually is vital to ensure that they are running safely.If you don’t get your appliances checked every year, you arerisking gas leaks, fires, explosions or carbon monoxide poisoning.Although all appliances need to be checked every year, it’s veryimportant for elderly people, as appliances in their homes tend tobe older and not as reliable.”

Top 5 ways of staying warm safely:

Get your gas appliances safety checked once a year to make surethey work safely and don’t break down in the cold.
If you are having your gas appliances checked, always use a GasSafe registered engineer – it’s the law and will help keep yousafe.
Always use gas appliances responsibly. Never use a gas cookerto heat a room or a house.
Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas produced by badly maintainedgas appliances. Look out for danger signs - sooty stains on oraround appliances, floppy yellow flames (instead of crisp blueones) and excessive condensation in a room are all signs that yourgas appliances could be producing carbon monoxide.
If you are over the age of 60 you may be entitled to a free gassafety check. Go to www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/elderlyto find out more or ask your energy supplier.

Bio Ethanol Fires

2012-01-04T11:53:00.000Z

Followingthe emerging success of bio ethanol fires in 2011 they look set to become evenmore popular, sure to be one of the ‘must have’ items of 2012. This is becausethey are real or live flame fires that burn having no dangerous fumes emitted.This allows a real fire to be achieved in homes where it was never thoughtpossible. Because bio ethanol fires do not need a flue, or expensive fittingand annual servicing, they burn a gel type fuel that is made from renewablesources and very popular around the world, yet fairly new to the UK.

Many existing fire companies are now investing their efforts into creating bioethanol fires, which will only makes them more affordable and desirable. Someof the designs are extremely innovative, mainly because no consideration forthe flue is required and will create an ornate feature in your home or gardeneven when not in use.

Bio ethanol fires also have a market in the garden sector as well as home, andcitronella fuel is available for your outdoor fire to help ward off those insects.They are a great way of keeping the garden party going once the BBQ has goneout, or an impressive way to light an entrance path or drive to your home.

Bio ethanol fires look great, are easy to use and effective with little maintenancerequired, how could something with such great attributes not be a phenomenalsuccess?

Hot Property For 2012

2012-01-03T17:07:00.000Z

With just a week left in 2011, and with our first snowfall across most of the UK last week, most people, along with ourselves are focusing on 2012. We thought we'd take a look at some of the things that we forsee becoming 'hot' property for 2012.

Bio-Ethanol Fires:
These eco-friendly and incredibly simple and elegant fires are becoming more and more popular with energy prices rising and installation, servicing and other costs of gas and soli-fuel appliances to consider Bio-Ethanol are beginning to become the appliance of choice for both heat and a stunning flame effect. While the fact that most bio-ethanol fires only feature one moving part which means there is almost nothing to go wrong with the fire. This means an end to expensive engineer/gas fitter visits and an end to struggling to find spare parts.

Other amazing feature is that some of the fires are portable, allowing for use both indoors during the colder nights or using Citronella Gel outside during the summer to provide that amazing ambience while keeping the insects away. While some people claim that the Bio-Ethanol costs an arm & a leg, most larger internet retailers are able to sell larger quanities at substanitally cheaper prices to that of a local showroom or garden centre.

You can find an incredible selection of bio-ethanol fires; portable, freestanding and wall-mounted from the House 2 Home Megastore

Stoves In Colour:

With stoves becoming more and more popular as the idea of carbon-neutral heating and reduced fuel bills becomes more mainstream most people will start looking into purchasing a wood-burning or multifuel stove.
The general consensus of the market is matt black cast iron or steel is the only available colour. But why settle with just matt black?
With manufacturer's such as Firebelly or Carron offer many more colours, while Carron offer enamel colours that may chip or discolour due to heat Firebelly offer a wide variety of colours or heat resistant paint that are hard-wearing and can be touched up. Combined with the optional Stainless steel legs as pictured can give you an incredibly unique stove.

Drugasar Fires:
Drugasar fires are set to become the must-have gas fires. With the Global Range being an incredibly high quality range of gas fires for Chimney's & balanced flue systems that are also much more affordable than some other similar fires on the market. With the Eclipse, Aura, Cara & Grace suites also set to become more and more popular. The Ceraglass interior has also become a must-have, with not many other fires offering such a contemporary finish.
“We develop products that continuously meet the highest stipulations and as such retain the level of quality we are used to. Where homes are becoming increasingly better insulated, we offer products for example that still delievr a lovely fire but with less capacity,"

What you should know before buying an electric fire

2011-12-30T14:53:00.000Z

There are a number of things that you should be aware ofbefore buying an electric fire, they are often described ‘easy to fit’ and‘suitable for every home’ but are they? You need to make sure the electric fireyou choose is suitable for its situ too. This blog could be useful to anyonethinking of buying an electric fire and help those in the trade selling firesto ensure the fires sold are actually fit for purpose.

Buying an Electric Fire
The act of actually buying an electric fire is extremely easy, you can pickthem up in DIY stores, from showrooms and online, which is great, but please beaware that images seen in catalogues, brochures and online do not properlydisplay the finish of the fire and the flame effect of a fire, ask to see thefire in operation at a fireplace showroom or DIY store to make sure the flameeffect and pattern is what you are expecting. The finish can differdramatically from manufacturer to manufacturer so have a look at your fire tosee if their shade of brass, or brushed brass is what you were thinking of toavoid disappointment. If you do buy the product online and don’t have chance toview the electric fire before hand you have a cooling off period, and duringwhich time you may return the fire for whatever reason, and yes that means evenif you don’t like the coal effect etc. (This will usually be at your expensethough so it is better to know what you’re buying before it is sent to you).

Copyright or Copy Wrong?
Manufacturers of fires will have copyright on their products and images ofproducts, names of products etc. Despite this there is a whole lot of‘simulation’ and ‘imitation’ of products between the manufacturers, and to behonest if I saw a competitors fire selling by the thousands I’d look to imitatethe products to some extent too. It is important to be aware that this goes onwithin the industry, it is very hard to prove that brand A has copied brand Bso you could get a bargain. However you could get an inferior electric firethat looks like the more expensive one etc. Manufacturers will sometimes selltwo products that are identical under different names, and with greatdifference in the price tag, as well as manufacturer’s warranty. You could savea bundle on an electric fire but have 2 or 3 years less warranty, the choice isyours. Do not buy from auction websites unless it is a shop (you wouldn’t buy afire from a car boot sale would you?).

Another tip when shopping for an electric fire is the flame effect is often thesame throughout a manufacturers range of fires, so if manufacturer A hasseveral different fires i.e. manual control, remote controlled, brass finish,chrome finish, modern design or classic design, they may all have the sameflame pattern or effect, (Many electric fires have the same electric fire, or‘engine’, presented in different fascias or guises). This could mean if you’veseen one LED flame effect you’ve seen them all, but again, different manufacturerswill have subtle differences (however slight!).

Will the Electric Fire Fit?
This is where many people find disappointment, they receive their newelectric fire.......and it doesn’t fit, they you have to send or take it back,and you wanted the job finished by a certain date!.....AAARGH! Should it bethis confusing? Well it’s quite straight forward once you understand that thereis 3 main types of electric fire; Hearth based (3 sided), Hang on the Wall(outset, wall mounted) and Hole in the Wall (inset fires). Once you know whichone is for you the dimensions needed to install are straight forward, and I’lltake you though these one at a time:

Hearth based inset electric fires means the electric firesthat fit into a back panel as part of a fireplace setting. The cut out in aback panel is as industry standard around 16inches wide and 22inches tall. Mostelectric fires fit into these gaps with no problem; however confusion often ariseswith the depth of the electric fire and something called the ‘rebate’. Theinset depth of an electric fire is the depth from what you see in the room backto the end of the fire in the fireplace or wall, (The outset depth is the depthof the fire from the back panel into the room). The ‘rebate’ is the measurementfrom the front of the back panel to the wall, this is usually 25mm or 75mm,some may be adjustable too! Now, if the inset depth of the electric fire isgreater than the depth of the rebate you will need a recess into the wall tofit the fire into. This depth will need to be at least as big as the overlapfrom the inset depth and back panel. A way around this (especially if you onlyhave a flat wall, with no recess) is to use a spacer kit, these come in severaldepths and allow the electric fire to be outset into the room more, but manypeople don’t find this aesthetically pleasing.

Hang on the Wall fires are mounted onto the wall,measurements are outset into the room and the fires will either fix directly tothe wall, or onto a pre fixed bracket on the wall.
Hole in the Wall inset fires need a recess for them to fit into, this can beinto a chimney of a ‘false’ chimney breast, be aware that many measurementswill show a fires inset dimensions, but a few inset electric fires will need clearancefrom these measurements. Make sure no clearance is needed to avoiddisappointment.

Where Can I Get Additional Information?
Every manufacturer has a website and if they don’t then avoid like theplague! Many manufacturers sites will have the installation manuals and userguides for you to refer to before a purchase, if they don’t there will be someway of contacting them to retrieve any information required, if they do nothave either a contact phone number or email address the avoid like the plague!Showroom sales people should have general ideas of what measurements arerequired, but it is always best to go to the manufacturer yourself to assureyou have the correct information, they will tell you the facts not what suitsthem on the day, you can ask for the information to be sent via email or postthus giving you a future reference should you require it. Be wary of reviewsites, many companies have 100% reviews and have sold a couple of items whilstothers have okay reviews but have sold hundreds of thousands of products,question how many happy people bother to leave reviews and how many competitorcompanies review others? Being someone who uses the internet frequently I findreview sites most frustrating, but that’s a different topic entirely.

What Did You Expect?
Electric fires nowadays are 100% efficient and come in a plethora ofdesigns, have more options and finishes than you can think, which is great, butthey usually have a maximum heat output of 2kW. This level of heat is nottremendous; it will certainly take the edge off (if you get close enough) butshould not be relied upon as a sole source of heat in a home. Hairdryers canoften be found to emit similar amounts of heat, so don’t expect a furnace!

Many electric fires simply plug in, which again is great, but what do you dowith the lead? Some manufacturers will view the warranty as void if theirmoulded plug is cut off, which could cause a problem when fitting. Anycompetent electrician would be able to come up with suitable solutions to avoidthis, but people buy these from DIY stores expecting to be able to ‘do ityourself’ and find disappointment when employing an electrician for the job.

By no means do I dislike electric fires, in fact quite theopposite, but it is important to be aware of what small pitfalls may be aheadof you when buying and electric fire, indeed any fire or heating for your home.

Gas Safety At Winter

2011-12-30T10:04:00.000Z

With the cold weather setting in many households will be relying ongas boilers and gas fires to keep their family warm this winter.This increased usage can put pressure on gas appliances and couldlead to them breaking down when they are needed the most.
It’s vital that everyone has their gas appliances regularlyserviced and safety checked every year to prepare them for the coldwinter months.

Stay safe and don’t be left out in the cold this winter. Make sureyou know what to do if your central heating fails you.

Download our top gas safety tips andhelp protect yourself, your family and yourhome.

When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney

2011-12-28T14:08:00.000Z

When Santa got stuck up the Chimney

He began to shout

You girls and boys won’t get any toys until you get me out

My hair is black, there’s soot in my sack

Any my nose is tickly too

When Santa got stuck up the Chimney

Achoo, Achoo, Achoo!!

With today’s modern pre-fabricated chimney and flue systems, there is certainly plenty of scope for Santa getting stuck up the chimney, With internal diameters ranging from 150mm – ideal for the typical woodburning stove, up to only 200 to 250mm for other more open appliances, Santa would not have to have eaten too many mince pies to get stuck!!

Why are modern flues so slim? Well, they give the perfect diameter for the heating appliance to work. They make use of modern materials and technology. The modern pre-fabricated flue system allows the householder to have a versatile and flexible solution to created a wonderful and warming focal point within a room.

Traditional methods of building chimneys (and chimneys have been with us since Roman times!) are inefficient, require foundations and are very labour intensive. Pre-fabricated flue systems are quick to install, the space required is minimal, allowing the building to maximise its living space.

Pre-fabricated chimney systems have been rigorously tested under European legislation gaining CE approvals along with HETAS approvals (the UK’s leading body in Solid Fuel awareness).

So what do you to say in answer to the question “how can Santa get down our chimney?” You can of course pass it off as magic. Just as reindeers fly through the sky, and Santa manages to deliver presents all around the world in a single night, the magic of Christmas asks us to suspend disbelief.

Or you could do what an enterprising six year old boy called Leo did. When his family purchased a new house Leo was worried that the chimney would not be big enough to to accommodate both a large Father Christmas, and a large sack of toys. Leo wrote a letter to the builder which said “I am worried that my mummy’s house doesn’t have a big enough chimney. I think Santa will get stuck. Please can you help.”

The builder responded by commissioning an architect and a mathematician to design the perfect Santa-friendly chimney, on the Lower Mill Estate near Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

A crane lifted a large Father Christmas up to the roof and lowered him into the Cotswold stone chimney which goes all the way down to the sitting room. “A perfect fit” announced Santa. “I wish they were all like this!”

Does Your Stove Work For You?

2011-12-27T14:00:00.000Z

When many people think of a wood burning stove they imagine it heating only one area of the house. However with a little planning and initial disruption, your wood burning stove could heat the entire home, whilst saving a fortune on electric and gas.
Some stoves can be fitted with a back burner that means as you light your stove the hot water tank heats up, from the energy created and fills your radiators with eco fuel that keeps every room in the house toasty warm.
Although initially fitting a wood burning stove with a back boiler can be more disruptive than simply attaching a stove to a chimney, this is an ideal way to heat the home for less, and ensures you get the full benefit of all that heat without opening doors in the home to let the heat travel through.
Even the incredibly contemporary wood-burning stoves such as Firebelly (We found the best prices here) can be ordered and built with an optional back-boiler, and in the 18 different colours you're sure to be able to find a colour you love.
Before back boilers wood burning stoves were huge heavy things, that would be used for cooking, drying clothes, heating water and the home, however just because times have changed and we now rely on oil and gas, it doesn’t mean we can’t learn a thing or two from our ancestors.
Range Cookers, more commonly called Aga's after the brand that made them so successful, are strongly back in fashion, and whilst at the beginning of the twentieth century these were thrown out with the rubbish, now they cost a pretty penny and are a must have for any designer kitchen. Manufacturer's such as Broseley have created some stunning Range Cookers, that allow you to enjoy the warm glow as well as being able to do almost anything. Unlike the Aga's that have hidden everything behind heavy metal doors.
Your wood burning stove can perform the same jobs as an Aga, as there are now so many on the market with extras, that the past is coming into the future.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, scour antique shops and reclamation yards, they will have the old type of wood burning stove that can easily be transformed with an expert hand. These older stoves will have special compartments at the side- a single cast iron cupboard, where you can place slippers to warm or even leave bread to rise. This creates not only warmth in the home, but a delicious smell too, and makes sure that in these winter months there really is no place like our own abode.
If planning a home renovation and the kitchen or study adjoins the lounge, another idea for an open plan feel is to remove the wall where the wood burning stove will go. Some stoves will have glass on both sides, so each room can feel the benefit of the flames as they lick you into a state of relaxed happiness.
With all these features, there’s only one worry left when buying your wood burning stove, how to keep a stockpile of wood big enough! Try growing your own fast growing trees, some only take a year to grow, and as one is chopped down replace with another secure in the knowledge that you really are going green with your energy!

What Is LPG?

2011-12-22T10:16:00.000Z

Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas, or liquid propane gas) is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.
LPG is composed primarily of propane and butane, while natural gas is composed of the lighter methane and ethane. LPG, vaporised and at atmospheric pressure, has a higher calorific value (94 MJ/m³ equivalent to 26.1kWh/m³) than natural gas (methane) (38 MJ/m³ equivalent to 10.6 kWh/m³), which means that LPG cannot simply be substituted for natural gas.

Predominantly in rural parts of the UK, LPG can provide an alternative to electricity and heating oil. LPG is most often used where there is no access to piped natural gas.LPG can be stored in a variety of ways. LPG, as with other fossil fuels, can be combined with renewable power sources to provide greater reliability while still achieving some reduction in CO₂ emissions. But just because you are restricted to LPG does not mean you cannot have an attractive an efficienct heating appliance. One website has over 200 different fires, fire baskets, stoves and wall heaters capable of running on LPG. Everything from the versatile yet stylish Drugasar Style range of balanced flue wall heaters, ideal for community buildings, warehouses or even office spaces to the incredibly stylish and affordable Verine Atina XL with cream stone fascia for designer living.
More traditional items are also available in LPG such as the Esse 500 Flueless gas stove, combining a traditionally cast iron body with the latest in Catalytic Flueless gas fire technology to create a stove that requires no flue while giving up an impressive 3.3kW of heat.
So while using LPG may restrict your options slightly it doesnt mean you can't have the fire of your dreams and spent many a cold wintery night in front of it and enjoying the ambience only a living flame can bring.

Manufacturer Focus: BFM Europe

2011-12-20T14:38:00.000Z

In this edition of manufacturer focus we look at probably one of the largest manufacturer's in the industry, BFM Europe. Producers of Verine, Flavel, Kinder, Portway and Celsi fires, producing everything from the Portway Steel and Cast Iron Stoves and the traditional Flavel Outset Gas Fires, to more contemporary gas and electric fires such as the Verine Carmelo HE, Kinder Limours and not forgetting the incredibly popular Celsi electric fires.
With both manufacture and design facilities at thier Stoke-On-Trent location BFM Europe has grown into one of the fastest growing manufacturer's in the country, with an increasing reputation for quality and service. With all the brands offering a minimum of 12 months warranty, with Flavel offering 3 years, Verine 5 years and Kinder offering 7 years warranty. Showing just how much faith they have in their products.

The company is based in Stoke-on-Trent with a 51,000 sq ft purpose built plant, housing the most up-to-date manufacturing, sales and training facilities in the industry, including:

The latest CNC sheet metal technology that guarantees precision engineering.
An experienced R&D department, constantly developing innovative products and pushing the boundaries of technology and aesthetics.
A purpose built laboratory for testing prototypes and pre-production models.

"At BFM Europe we know how important it is to create a stylish and relaxing living environment. That's why we have developed this collection of fires and stoves to suit all tastes and purposes. I believe our success stems from a combination of innovative design, investment in technology and the highest quality manufacturing standards. This website has been designed to make the purchase of your new fire as simple as possible. I hope you find it both informative and inspiring." Michael Miller, Managing Director

Gas, A Clean Fuel

2011-12-18T08:42:00.000Z

There is a great deal of debate about fuels, ranging from Carbon pollution, cost of extraction and the effect on the environment. Gas is and always will be a very clean fuel. For example, when burning wood or similar solid fuel, small particles will be released (smoke). These are unburnt parts of fuel which are then wasted, you will also be left with waste by-products (ash).But when burning gas there are no particles released and your flue system stays, more or less, clean at all times.

Gas systems also allow you to easliy regulate the temperature in the house. With DRU gas fires this is all done via a Thermostatic remote control. All their systems are calibrated in the factory to ensure your fire runs as efficiently as possible. Wasting as little energy as possible and ensuring the maximum amount of heat is coming into the property rather than heating the outside world.

Gas is also, per kWh one of the cheapest sources of energy. It's no wonder really, why more and mroe consumers, both across the UK & Europe are choosing efficient, clean and attractive gas fires designed by Drugasar.

Adding to the appeal of DRU gas fires is that Europe is rich with gas, ourselves in the UK, as well as Norway, Holland and Russia all benefit from large reserves of gas, with expectations that further large reserves will be discovered in the future. Products such as gas fireplaces are becoming more and more efficienct, with up to 87% efficiency on the Metro 130. And with increasing advances in insulation, less and less heat is required to heat our homes. It is expected that for at least the next 100 years we will have sufficient gas reserves. However that does not mean we can take it for granted. This is also why Drugasar are always researching more and more techniques to extract more heat from the gas energy. One such addition is the MaxVent system popular with the Global range of gas fires. The complete Drugasar Range Of Gas Fires are available from Fireplace Megastore