HOME + GARDEN
Fireplaces for a New Season CONT .
© Graham Atkins Hughes
ORIGINAL GREY GEORGIAN MARBLE STRAIGHT , £ 3,500 , RENAISSANCE LONDON , www . renaissancelondon . com
ORIGINAL GREY GEORGIAN MARBLE STRAIGHT , £ 3,500 , RENAISSANCE LONDON , www . renaissancelondon . com
Styling
When picking the style of your fireplace it is so important to take into account the aesthetic of your home . If you own a 17th century cottage with wooden beams and ornate features , a contemporary stove is going to stick out like a sore thumb . Likewise , a shiny , clean-lined new build with a huge gothic hearth is going to make the house feel disjointed .
One of the great things about living in some of the older country cottages that we have here in Kent is that you most likely already have a large open brick fireplace in your living-room , and therefore don ’ t have to worry as much about styling .
If you are lucky enough to have an original fireplace but it ’ s looking a bit sad and neglected , Owen Pacey founder of fireplace restoration business Renaissance London ( www . renaissancelondon . com ) always recommends restoring , rather than replacing if you have that original framework . ‘ If your fireplace is covered , pull away plasterboard to see what you ’ re working with – we ’ ve come across rare Minton tiles and exquisite marble before now . If you decide to replace , it ’ s worth contacting an antique fireplace specialist , many offer a part-exchange on the fireplace you ’ re removing if it ’ s in good condition .”
And in terms of the stove itself , choosing eco-efficiency doesn ’ t mean compromising on style . KHS offer a range of beautiful styles , including the ‘ Clock ’ range , a particularly impressive marriage of classic and contemporary design features , Ecodesign Ready , and available in a variety of styles designed to fit in seamlessly with the perfect home you have envisioned .
Does size matter ?
In terms of sizing , it is important to get the correct size stove for your room in question . Vicky from ACR Stoves advises you seek out your local HETAS installer and have them visit your home to calculate the output required for your room . Fear not , if you are still a little weary about social distancing and don ’ t relish the idea of strangers traipsing in and out of your home , there is a solution for that too . As MD of Morsø ( www . morsoe . co . uk ), Declan Kingsley- Walsh provides an easy solution ; ‘ to calculate the heating demand of a specific space , simply work out the volume of the room in cubic meters and divide by 14 . Buying the wrong size stove will prove problematic due to over firing or more commonly under running the appliance which is potentially more damaging to the stove , flue and the environment .’
Installing and Maintaining
Now you ’ ve picked the design of your stove , and sorted the styling of your fireplace , how on earth should you go about installing it ? This simple question has a simple answer . This is not a DIY job ; there are rules and regulations that need to be met in order for you to legally start using your fireplace and you must therefore call in the professionals and get this meticulous job done properly . ‘ The installation of your stove must comply with the requirements of Building Regulation Approved Document J 2010 . Your stove must be fitted by a suitably qualified engineer , such as a HETAS registered installer who is authorised to commission and sign off the installation . This is usually the simplest and most cost-effective method ’ advises Declan .
No chimney ? No problem ! “ Don ' t worry if your property doesn ' t have a chimney , our HETAS accredited fitting team can install a stainless steel or black powder coated twin wall insulated flue ”, advises KHS . “ This is safe to run through an outside wall and up the side of your property , or you can keep the flue internal by running it straight up through the roof .”
In order to maintain your stoves efficiency over the years , and to keep your household safe , it is vitally important that you service your stove annually . Follow the guidance of manufacturers and make sure the fireplace is cleaned after every use . This will allow it to work more effectively and perform to its fullest potential . Declan also comments on how vitally important it is to get your chimney swept at least once a year because ensuring it is clean reduces the risk of chimney fires . Again , to reiterate , it is important to always use a certified professional for these services . ‘ It is recommended that a chimney system operating with a solid fuel appliance is swept at least once a year prior to the heating season . In the UK this is only a recommendation not a requirement . Ideally the flue should be checked and swept twice a year . HETAS ( Heating Equipment Testing Approval Scheme ) is probably the best way to find a sweep .’
So now you ’ ve had your dream fireplace picked out and installed , pop the kettle on , pour yourself a steaming cup of tea , grab some snacks and get cosy with your loved ones ( and the latest issue of insideKENT of course !) in front of your very own perfectly personalised fireplace .
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