No products in the basket.
Choosing a new fireplace is mostly about getting the practical things right first. When customers come into our showroom, we normally start with three questions: what style of fireplace do you like, do you want a complete fireplace package, and how much width do you have available? Once we know those, it’s much easier to narrow things down.
Most customers already have a reasonable idea of the look they want before they come to us. You might prefer limestone, marble, wood or cast iron. Some people want a traditional fireplace with a cast iron insert, while others want something simpler with a stove or a more contemporary electric fire. We’d start with the style you actually like rather than worrying too much about what you think you should have.
Once we know that, we can look at whether it will work with the room, chimney breast and fuel type.
This is one of the most important measurements. Customers sometimes come into the showroom without the width of their chimney breast, which makes it difficult to say whether a particular fireplace will fit. We don’t give a standard fireplace width for an average room because chimney breasts vary too much.
If a fireplace mantel measures 1372mm wide and your chimney breast is only 1300mm wide, it simply isn’t going to fit.
Before choosing a fireplace, measure the full width of the chimney breast and make a note of any skirting boards, alcoves or other features that could affect the available space.
If you’re replacing a complete fireplace, don’t assume you have to find a new one that fits the existing opening exactly. In many installations, the fireplace opening is adjusted to suit the new fireplace. The chimney breast width is often the more useful starting point when choosing the overall size and proportions. If you’re keeping part of the existing fireplace, such as a cast iron insert, hearth or fire, then the opening measurements become much more important.
If you’re planning to use an existing chimney for gas or solid fuel, we’d have it swept and tested first. Once you know the condition and type of chimney you’re working with, you can decide which fire options are suitable. A chimney suitable for solid fuel normally gives you the widest choice because you can also consider gas, electric or bioethanol depending on the fireplace and installation. If there is any doubt about the chimney or flue, get it checked before ordering the fire.
You still have plenty of options. Electric fires don’t require a working chimney or flue and are available in traditional inset styles, complete fireplace suites and much larger contemporary designs. Bioethanol is another option and gives you a genuine flame without needing a conventional chimney or gas supply. Most customers we speak to have already researched the fuel type they want. The main change we occasionally see is someone planning on electric who sees a bioethanol fireplace and prefers the real flame.
If you’re starting from scratch, we’d normally look at a complete fireplace package first. They’re usually cheaper than buying the surround, hearth, chamber and fire separately, and they’re already put together to show combinations we know work well.
You can browse our full range of fireplace packages to compare traditional and more contemporary options.
That doesn’t mean you have to buy everything exactly as shown. Many packages allow you to change the fire, hearth, chamber or other components, but they give you a good starting point and make it easier to picture how the complete fireplace will look.
The material has a big effect on the finished look.
Limestone works particularly well when you want something natural and fairly understated. One combination we’ve always liked is limestone with matt-black cast iron.
Marble gives you a more polished finish and works particularly well with traditional cast iron fireplaces.
Wood gives you more flexibility with colour and finish, particularly if you’re choosing between oak and pine.
Cast iron is still one of the best choices for a traditional fireplace, particularly in Victorian and period-style rooms.
We don’t have a long list of combinations we’d tell customers to avoid. Our fireplace packages are deliberately put together to show combinations we know work.
Black-and-white tiled hearths are also becoming increasingly popular and work particularly well with traditional fireplaces.
The surround tends to get most of the attention, but the hearth and chamber can completely change the finished fireplace. For stove packages, you may be choosing between slate, granite or tiled hearths alongside brick, slate, tiled or plain chambers. Choosing the hearth and chamber alongside the surround helps the whole fireplace feel considered rather than pieced together.
The fireplace itself is only part of the total cost. Installation prices vary depending on what you’re fitting, the work required to the opening and where you live. We’d recommend contacting a few local fireplace fitters and getting prices before setting your final budget. If you’re having gas work carried out, use a Gas Safe registered engineer. For solid fuel installations, use a suitably qualified installer.
You don’t have to visit the showroom for us to help.
If you’re choosing online, send us:
That normally gives us enough information to start narrowing down suitable options.
If you’re struggling to picture the finished fireplace in your room, we can also create a fireplace room visualisation to help you compare different styles before you buy.
A fireplace is different from changing a lamp or piece of furniture. Once it’s installed, it becomes one of the main features of the room.
That’s why our advice has always been to take your time.
Get the measurements right, decide which style you genuinely like, make sure the fuel and installation requirements work and get an idea of the installation cost before you order. Once those things are sorted, choosing the actual fireplace becomes much easier. If you’re unsure where to start, send us a photo of the room and some basic measurements or visit our showroom. We’ll happily talk through the options with you.
Phone
01773 718718
Email
sales@castfireplaces.co.uk
