Fireplaces UK

As the main focal point of any home, not only does a fireplace create a beautiful feature, it also has the option of being a cost-effective way to heat your home whilst oozing ambience. Choosing a fireplace can be an exciting but also daunting task. With current design trends, there is a huge choice of styles, materials and sizes to choose from so this information is here to give you a brief insight into the options available to you with fireplaces in the United Kingdom.

Cast Tec Victorian Corbel

A traditional fireplace design consisted of a hearth base, back panel or inglenook chamber and a mantel. Common materials used were original a combination of stone, marble and cast-iron and they were a huge part of the Victorian and Edwardian era. The living areas of grand properties focused around the fireplace being the main feature and a place to gather around for warmth and entertainment.

Years later, fireplaces became smaller and more focus pointed towards the heating side with real, open fires continuing to be the most common way in heating homes. Custom made brick or tiled fireplaces surrounded a chair brick inside the chimney. The coal man was a familiar site and this was one of the issues that led to the Clean Air Act being introduced to many parts of the UK.

When gas fires became popular, this was a dramatic change and resulted in many home owners changing their fireplaces as well. The convenience of lighting the fire and the controllability that a gas fire offers resulted in most homes now featuring a gas fire. A gas appliance that incorporated radiant bars offered impressive heat output was the most common design, these were often stand alone designs fitted on a hearth or hung on the wall. Whilst they offered impressive heat output and efficiency, they didn't particularly look that appealing. Living flame fires were designed to simulate a real, open fire. With imitation coals and a open flame, they instantly became popular and the 1980's were a time when most homes were now installing a new living flame gas fire.

Be Modern Arden

The fireplaces that were used to combine with inset gas fires were often wooden fire surrounds with a marble back panel and hearth. Common sizes were 54" wide (1370mm) and they worked well on a standard chimney breast. Another new design that became popular around this time were hole-in-the-wall fireplaces. These were normally made from marble and included brass detail and fitted well into interior trends of that era. Gas was relatively cheap and the main emphasis with manufacturing was to produce a fire that looks as much like a real coal fire as possible with little regard on running costs.

Current fireplace designs offer a wide selection of styles that will suit any interior. We are now seeing a strong increase in the popularity of high efficiency products and space saving fireplaces. Hole-in-the-wall designs are ideal for modern homes as subject to be fitted to manufacturers regulations, they do not require a hearth which will save valuable space in smaller rooms. Sleek designs featuring black glass and chrome and the best selling appliances have a glass-front which allow the gases produced by the fire to provide extra heat before going up the flue which therefore results in a higher heat output combined with lower running costs.

Hearth mounted fireplaces are now available in a host of materials such as:

• Timber - Popular woods now are Oak, Beech, Walnut  & Pine

• Cast Iron - traditionally found in bedrooms, cast-iron fireplaces are now purchased for classically inspired living room and the polished option can work well in a contemporary setting

• Marble - With a large range of finishes, marble is a excellent material for a fireplace as it's easy to clean, luxurious and hard-wearing

• Stone - Stone types such as limestone fireplaces and sandstone will always prove a popular choice with ageless appeal

For help and advice on any question regarding fires & fireplaces, please contact the HotPrice team on 0845 0000 080 or visit our website where you will find a vast selection of quality fireplace products with delivery available throughout the UK.

New models of Electric Fires & Wood Burning Stoves from Dimplex

Dimplex are synonymous for high quality products, amazing electric fire effects and huge product range which have resulted in them becoming the largest electric fire manufacturer in the world. Constantly looking at the the latest innovations and striving to introduce electric fires to suit current design trends, Dimplex have recently introduced a selection of new products which are now available to purchase from HotPrice Fireplaces.

Dimplex Chevalier Electric Stove

 The Dimplex 'Opti-Myst' effect is regarded as the most realistic flame effect available. This stunning visual effect uses water vapour to create a unbelievable flame that most customers find virtually identical to gas fires and real, open fires. Available in both inset electric fires that are designed to be fitted into a fireplace or in a wall-mounted style which offer a modern solution to contemporary homes and apartments, the Dimplex Opti-Myst flame effect has to be seen to really be appreciated.

The HotPrice showroom in Middleton, Manchester displays a selection of Dimplex fires with both the original Optiflame effect and the new Opti-Myst effect. These include the Dimplex Chevalier free-standing electric stove in it's modern gloss white finish, the Dimplex Danville inset electric fire and the wall-mounted Dimplex Tahoe which can simply be fitted on to any flat wall without the need to be inset.

Dimplex Danville Opti-Myst

 Electric fires offer a simple solution to create a warming feature within any room. There is no restrictions on flue types of a property as electric fires do not require any outside flue. They can be enjoyed throughout the year as the flame effect can be used independently of the heater. They are also a popular choice with home-owners who live in properties that do have a flue or chimney as with modern constructed houses which feature central heating and double glazed windows, they want the fire for mostly effect and with some of the range of Dimplex Fires now featuring low energy. LED bulbs, running costs of the flame effects will be very low.

Most electric fires in the Dimplex product range feature a 2kW fan heater. This can be used on a 1kW or 2kW setting and many models also include a thermostatic control which will cut the fire out once the room has reached a desired temperature. Whilst it is not likely that a electric fire will be used as a main heating source, they are ideal to provide instant heat to take the initial chill off the room before the central heating warms up or for a bit of extra warmth when it's not too cold outside.

Dimplex Selborne Multi-Fuel Stove

As well as a fantastic range of premium electric fires, Dimplex now offer a selection of wood burning stoves. These have proved very popular as current trends have made the option of heating your home with a carbon neutral method such as wood burning has become the choice for many people. As a iconic brand, you can rely on the fact the the range of Dimplex stoves have the advanced technology and attention to detail that Dimplex incorporate in their electric fires. The wood burning stoves include two models that have DEFRA approval which allow you to burn wood even in smokeless zones.

For friendly, impartial advice on the full range of Dimplex fires and stoves, contact HotPrice Fireplaces today on 0845 0000 080 or visit the website at www.hotprice.co.uk where you can browse all products.