Heating a Period House: Fire Surrounds

Whether you opt for a stove or open fire, the choice of surround can have a major impact on the overall look. According to fireplace and stove historian Peter Healy, the material of marble dominated fireplace design to the middle of the 19th century, when cast iron began to take over. ‘Wood surrounds experienced a revival in the late 19th century on the back of the Arts & Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. Tiled fireplaces didn’t appear until the mid 1920s because the tiles would crack in the heat of the fire but this was solved around 1922,’ he adds.

Today it’s possible to source fire surrounds in a wealth of materials and finishes but it makes sense to choose a design that mimics the architectural features in your home. A locally sourced material such a Bath stone or Welsh slate will work especially well in homes within the vicinity, while limestone is particularly popular with stonemasons as it’s easy to carve. Paul Chesney, director of Chesney’s, says that the most significant factor to consider is not the material choice but the dimensions of the room. He recommends taking time to ensure the proportion of the fireplace suits the size of the room. ‘If the fireplace is either too big or too small, no matter how attractive the design, it will not sit comfortably in the room. It is also a good idea to take into account the function and furnishings in the room to ensure that its formality or otherwise is matched by the choice of fireplace,’ he explains.

While there are no hard or fast rules for calculating the right size of fireplace, Paul says there are a couple of rules that should always be applied. Firstly, don’t let the mantel shelf overshoot the edges of the chimney breast, and, secondly, ensure that the height of the fireplace is less than half the ceiling height. Unless you live in a Grade I-building, it’s rarely worth trying to source a fireplace that’s 100% historically accurate for your property. After all, it’s unlikely that every stick of furniture or accessory in the room is authentic, so it’s better to be relaxed about your purchase and make your choice based on personal preference.

The clean strong lines of fireplaces inspired by designs from the 18th and early 19th centuries will work well in most interiors, while a low-ceiling cottage with inglenooks may benefit from no fire surround at all. If you are hoping to source a design from the original era of your home, try contacting the National Fireplace Association (0845 643 1902; nfa.org.uk) for advice.

Eco options
BIOMASS Homeowners are embracing biomass boilers fuelled by carbon neutral fuels. Treco’s Biomass Boilers can be fitted with a solar hot water panel and programmed so that the boiler only cuts in when there is not enough solar energy to heat the water (0845 130 9012; treco.co.uk).
HEAT PUMPS Harnessing thermal heat from the air or ground and converting it into usable heat is another option supported by the Low Carbon Buildings Project. Visit heatpumps.org.uk for details.
SOLAR PANELS Solar thermal panels for heating hot water are available and can supply up to 70% of your home’s hot water. One thermal panel should produce 100ltrs of water per day. Solar photovoltaic panels, which produce electricity, are more expensive and you need several but the government is promising above-market rates for renewable energy sold back to the national grid when it introduces Feed-in-Tariffs next April. You should also be eligible for a grant from the Low Carbon Buildings Project. Contact 0800 915 0990 – lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk – for details.

In the gallery:
Main image: Wrapped in natural Bath stone, Templestone’s Gothic Hoveton fireplace is carved at the company’s workshops in Castle Cary. Prices start from £3,754
1 Capital Fireplaces’ Kensington design in Liberty white marble is a classic mantelpiece that works well with cast-iron back panels. From £1,740
2 A wood fireplace provides a welcoming focal point. Try the Wentworth in natural oak with black granite hearth, which starts at £670 from Katell
3 CWO’s craftspeople used Portland stone to create this bespoke fireplace, from £3,500
4 This classical fireplace features an ornate frieze, from £3,500, Spencer & Richman
5 Stovax’s Victorian Corbel limestone mantel is available with a horseshoe insert. From £845 for the mantel and £595 for the insert
6 This Birchover fireplace houses a Clearview Vision Stove. It costs £1,895 including the outer hearth from Heritage Stoneworks
7 Sandringham mantel, £1,325, suits Gazco’s Riva2 800 glass-fronted gas fire, £2,395
8 Finesse Fireplaces’ range includes the Provence design which starts from £1,903

Find out more about heating a Period house
Find out more about log burning stoves
Find our more about central heating

FEATURE LINDA CLAYTON
Featured in the November 2009 issue of Period Living

Further Contacts:
Energy Price Comparison from Confused.com