Need new gas fire and fireplace - help!

[richw]

Hi,

I've got a 1930s semi. In the rear reception room, there is an original coal fire with a tiled hearth/back and solid wood mantel. In the front reception room, there is no hearth/back/mantel - only a 1970s wall-mounted radiant gas fire, which I have just disposed of.

We are going to refurb the front room, and I would like a fireplace similar in style to the coal one, but with gas. Are there any recommendations for fireplace suppliers and/or manufacturers? I'm finding a tile+wood+arch to be a combination which is impossible to find with a gas fire... I guess they are not trendy at the moment? Are cast iron arches any good?

What should I be looking for with gas? There are 'decorative' fires, there are the inset flame effects, and there are discreetly glass-fronted flame effect. What's best? What should I avoid? Are gazco fires any good?

I'm nervous that living flame gas fires just chuck 50% or more of the heat up the chimney. Knowing my missus, the fire will be in 24/7 in the winter!

Ideas are welcome. Anyone know of any local suppliers/fitters? I'm in Stockton-on-Tees.


P.S. I've attached a picture of the coal fire, and the 1970s thing I just removed.

Untitled

• richw
• 5 Jan 2012
• 1

Untitled

• richw
• 5 Jan 2012
• 1

Cheers,
Richard.

 

[ratonnastick]

Hate to say this but have thought of an electric style fire.

For the cost of fitting an inefficient gas fire you could buy a trendy electric one that doubles as a tv.

 

[richw]

Hate to say this but have thought of an electric style fire.

For the cost of fitting an inefficient gas fire you could buy a trendy electric one that doubles as a tv.

Hmm... not sure about the TV thing - maybe in a new-build!

I would have assumed that anything electric for heating (space or water) is just bad news. Is that arrogant of me?

It seems that I can buy gas 'grates' which sit into pretty much any open coal fireplace. Would I end up trying to heat outer space? Is a glass-fronted jobbie the way forward? Or are traditional open flames OK these days?

 

[macfudd]

If you want something efficient an inset fire is the way to go,look at the valor website,some are up to 89% efficient.The more efficient tend to be glass fronted.
But I think you will struggle to find an inset that will fit in that shape of fireplace,they are all rectangular shaped afaik.
Gazco imo are poorly made with poor literature.
To fit in that style of fireplace you`d be looking at getting a decorative fire(basket type)some of these can be close to 50% efficient but generally only throw out radiant heat.
Remember to have the chimney swept and checked first before buying anything.
Any good Gas safe engineer with gas fires on his ticket should be able to check the chimney is suitable and in good working order.
Don`t get an electric fire unless you have to,if you have a good working chimney a gas fire(serviced annually:very important)will in the long run be cheaper and gives off a far better heat.

 

[richw]

If you want something efficient an inset fire is the way to go,look at the valor website,some are up to 89% efficient.The more efficient tend to be glass fronted.
But I think you will struggle to find an inset that will fit in that shape of fireplace,they are all rectangular shaped afaik.

Makes sense. I'm liking the look of the efficient ones compared to the insets, but as you say, they are all rectangular/square - not arched.

Gazco imo are poorly made with poor literature.

Hmm, OK, I'll take a look at the Valor products. Most retailers here seem to stock gazco offerings.

To fit in that style of fireplace you`d be looking at getting a decorative fire(basket type)some of these can be close to 50% efficient but generally only throw out radiant heat.

Yeah, that's my problem. Seems I have some options:

a) tiled arch with decorative fire - rubbish heat/efficiency
b) square inset with tiles, maybe glass-fronted
c) arched inset with cast iron, maybe glass-fronted

and any of those can have a wooden mantel.

Remember to have the chimney swept and checked first before buying anything.

Good point. I was thinking of leaving it to the installers, but I suppose it would be sensible to check things out first.

Thanks for your help.