Wood Fire Places
Build-in fireplaces have replaced the old style open hearths due to the increase in heating capacity. With a normal brick fireplace (hearth) almost 75% of the heat is lost up the chimney, with a steel build-in convection fireplace the ratio is changed around and only 35% of the heat is lost up the chimney. Freestanding fireplaces are also available for those people who do not want to build in their houses or who don’t want the expense of building work.
Installing a build in or freestanding fireplace has the following advantages:
- No smoke emitted into the house
- No brickwork cracking
- More heat emitted into the room due to the convection system, damper & reflection plates
Build in and freestanding fireplaces can be constructed from either mild steel or 3cr12 low grade stainless steel. Build in and freestanding fireplaces have been designed with the correct relation between size of opening and chimney outlet to prevent any smoke from being emitted out of the fireplace. Installing the build in convection fireplace with its flue liner prevents smoke from leaking out of the brickwork into the roof cavity, it ensures that the builder does not build the chimney to small and it also makes cleaning the chimney much easier. Different chimney coverings are available depending on the conditions and desired styling required.
Care needs to be taken when installing build in and freestanding fireplace:
- Expansion joints of 20-25mm and insulation between brickwork and steel casing
- Exposed seams of flues need to be sealed
- Rotating cowls need to be greased at least twice yearly
- Exposed metal to weather conditions should be treated for rust
- Anywhere that an exposed steel flue liner passes close to a roof trust it should be insulated
Wood burning open fireplaces are available in the following options:
- Build in convection fireplaces standard sized 650/750/850/1050/1200mm
- Freestanding fireplaces variously sized
- Earth fire ceramic freestanding fireplaces sized small and large
- Custom made sizes and designs of build in or freestanding fireplaces