Fireplaces Can Add the Finishing Touch to Your Home

Before you choose a new fireplace for your home you need to think about the types of fires available and which one will be suitable for your needs. The type of fireplace you fit will depend on the construction of the room and whether it has a chimney or flue. Older properties will generally have at least one chimney, but these may not have been used for years.  You may need to spend a bit of money in upgrading the chimney before you can install an open fire in your home.

Fireplace Options

Many people love the idea of having an open fire that burns a solid fuel such as wood or coal. This can provide a really welcoming, warm atmosphere but can be a lot of work. You will have to clean the fire and relay it every time you want to use it. A closed stove wood burner can be easier to manage and will also provide a lot of practical heat for rooms without central heating. Gas and electric fires are much more practical appliances as they provide instant heat at just the click of a button.  You can also buy gas and electric fires in a number of different modern and period styles and they can replicate open coals.

Open Fires

If you are thinking about having an open fire then you will need to get the chimney thoroughly cleaned and checked. If the chimney has not been used for years then it may need some work to bring it up to modern standards. This may mean fitting modern caps or flues. You should also check with your local council before you install a new open fireplace. Some built up areas are ‘smokeless zones’. This means you will only be able to burn smokeless fuels and not traditional fuels such as coal.

Gas Fires

Gas fires must be installed by a professional, fully certified gas fitter. You can find these services in the yellow pages.  A gas fitter will install your new fire and test it to make sure it is operating within safety standards. If you do not have a gas supply to the room you want the new gas fireplace in then a fitter will be able to install the necessary pipe work. Check your house insurance policy carefully as you may need to be able to provide a certificate to say this work has been carried out to the required standards.

Electric Fires

Electric fires are one of the easiest designs to install and are available in a wide range of styles. As with gas fires you should get a professional fitter to install your new electric fires to ensure they are safe and in good working order.  This may also require a certificate of installation for your house insurance.

About the author

Direct Fires online are UK retailers of Fireplaces and Wall mounted flueless fires . From inset gas fires to limestone and cast iron fires, we have them all on our website. Why not take a look today.

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