Fireplace surround for wood burner

[alexeix]

Hi,

I've had my chimney lined, so it's ready for a wood burner, however, I'd like some advice on the fire surround please.

I know that there are rules about the distance to combustible materials and since I'd like a wooden surround/mantel, I need to set the surround back from the builder's opening.
Also, the mantel would be far too low, if the surround was fitted directly around the builder's opening.

My question is, what do I fit between the builder's opening and the surround, so that it doesn't look odd?

The builder's opening is 715mm wide by 800mm high.
I would want the top of the mantel to be at about 120mm.

This is a Victorian house, so whatever I do has to look right, but doesn't necessarily need to be of the same period.

I'm only planning to paint the inside of the fireplace black, not to tile it or anything.

I'll try to upload a photo.
Thanks in advance!

 

[alexeix]

Here's the fireplace...

Image

• alexeix
• 3 Jan 2016

 

[FiremanT]

You would normally use a panel of slate,marble,granite or tiles - matching a hearth

 

[jj4091]

I'm not sure if it will help or not, but my brother in law had problems with the plaster around the opening cracking & falling off when he had a wood burner installed in a situation similar to yours. I think you might be advised to line the opening with some sort of heat proof material, it appears these burners give off a tremendous amount of heat through the top & sides as well as the front.

 

[alexeix]

Thanks for the replies.

There is a register plate above where the stove will sit, so that's okay, but from what you both say, I'll need to add some form of wall covering within the recess and between the opening and the surround.
I was hoping to avoid adding anything in the reces, because the opening isn't that big anyway.

However, if it's necessary, I'll do it.
Slate would match the existing hearth, but I don't think tiles would look right.

Can anyone suggest where I can get pieces of slate made up for this purpose?