What to check when you are buying or selling a house with a fireplace Everyone dreams of enjoying a warm hearth in their home, so if you are buying a house with a fireplace, or selling one, we’ve got a few tips for you. We’ll walk you through the most common chimney, flue and stove problems that those in the housing market often fail to check. Here’s how to buy or sell, safe in the knowledge that your fireplace is up to standard. Have a professional inspection before buying or selling a house Having a professional take a look at your…

The health of our communities hinges on the health of our environment. That means clean air, drinking water and safe streets. But what does it mean to you if the government is cracking down on wood burning stoves? We’ll find out why the Clean Air Strategy is being rolled out in this article, what it means for your wood burning stove and how it will improve air quality in your town or city. What is the Clean Air Strategy? The Clean Air Strategy is a plan implemented by the UK government to tackle to growing air pollution crisis. At present many…

As warmer weather rolls around, you will rely on your stove less and so comes the ideal time to give it a good clean. By ensuring your stove is kept clean and well-maintained, you will help it to last longer, perform efficiently and safely, and, quite simply, it will look more attractive. To help you keep your wood burning stove in good condition, we’ve put together this cleaning guide. Why is cleaning your stove important? A stove which is looked after well will last for longer and perform more efficiently during its life, saving you money on operating costs and giving…

Gas fires are a popular choice of fireplace, offering great heat output, an attractive real flame and lots of design variety. Whilst they can run smoothly for many years, it is important that you are aware of how to use and maintain them safely. As with all gas appliances, improper usage can be dangerous, and so we’ve put together some top tips to help keep you safe whilst you and your family enjoy your cosy fireplace to its fullest. 1) Safety screens The safety of children, or even pets, around a fireplace is a big concern. Steps should be taken to…

The popularity of wood burning stoves has been on the rise in recent times, with homeowners being drawn to their cosy charm. However, before deciding whether a wood burner is right for your home, you should be aware of the rules and regulations surrounding this type of fireplace. Regulations surrounding solid fuel burning Across the UK, there are many smoke control areas which limit the burning of solid fuels, such as wood, due to the smoke that they emit. Many of these regulated areas cover cities, towns and urbanised neighbourhoods and you can receive significant fines for flouting the rules. To…

With crisp autumnal weather in full swing and cold, dark winter evenings on the horizon, now is the perfect time of year to hole up in a cosy pub. The snug pub atmosphere is the perfect antidote to drab weather and bustling days, and what better to create the perfect ambience than a real, roaring fire? Whether you’re looking to unwind after a day at work or have a laidback Sunday afternoon, there a few better places to do so than fireside in a charming pub. Let’s take a look at some of the best London pubs with open fireplaces which…

  Wood burning stoves are ever increasing in popularity and it’s easy to see why with their heating efficiency, economical running and attractive look. The recent revival of stoves across UK homes is remarkable – for example, HETAS have found a 60% increase in stove installations over the past 7 years. As well as being seen as an aspirational home design feature, stoves offer many benefits to the owner and the home. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that are boosting the popularity of the wood burning stove. Great heat output A key benefit which will have an…

When making alterations to your fireplace or installing a new fireplace then you shouldn’t neglect to factor in the kind of surround you will have. It is an important decision because it needs to match your current décor and interior design. If you choose a surround at random it could have an unsightly impact on the look of your room. A full fireplace surround has long been a staple of the living room, and although smaller fireplaces are being fitted everywhere in homes now there is still a strong demand for that elegant surround craftsmanship to create a focal point, making…

Energy prices seem to creep up each year and those left in charge don’t seem to be able to fight it, this means that we have to fight it ourselves by taking more care over our energy usage and how we choose to heat our homes. A modern gas fire might not guzzle too much gas but the price increases all the time so it can be a tricky energy source to judge when you’re tightening your belt. While we are coming to the end of the year and entering the coldest months you might be tempted to boost your heating…

With the nights getting darker earlier and the temperature taking a nose dive, you will no doubt be reaching towards your fireplace to start your roaring, comforting fire. Whether you have a gas, electric or natural fuel burning fireplace you should do some maintenance on your chimney and your fireplace before you start using it regularly. These tips would also be recommended for anyone moving into a new home to ensure that the fireplace is in top condition and ready for use. You should have a chimney inspection at least once a year Even if you don’t use your chimney it…