Fireplace - not sure where to get one....

RX-78

Hi guys,

We finally moved into our dream home couple of weeks ago. We knew the prev owners had electric heater in the living room, a real vintage 1980s stuff. So we took delight in removing it.

Only the house is freeeeezing. Its middle of June, and even on a warm day outside, it feels just as cold as winter was in our old place. So we'll have to get a new fireplace before the winter comes.

We know there is a chimny from outside. We took the fake fireplace surround out and there is a blocked off recess and a gas supply. Good news! Only we are not sure where to get a good fireplace in north west. We are not sure what output we need for a room 3.5x6m room, and if we can have inset wall hang ones or we'll have to go for more traditional one. Any help is appliciated!

suisidevw

How about gas central heating?

Alcmene

Hi

I have both, the fire is lovely in winter but the central heating is essential to heat the whole house.

I bought the fireplace from B&Q and the surround from a local shop.

RX-78

We already have central heating but thought its a bit wasteful to heat up the whole house for just one/two of us. Unfortunately some of the radiators are so old the control on it doesn't turn properly and just wont switch off! so the plan is to have a good fireplace to heat up the living room where we mostly live (and we usually have our bedroom really cold anyway) and only use central heating from time to time.

We quite like the look of wall mounted ones but I have no idea what some of the websites are talking about on the requirement.

27col

If the central heating does not give you the flexibility to turn off the areas that you are not using, then you should be spending some money rectifying the problem, instead of faffing about introducing auxiliary heating. Is the house fully up to modern requirements for insulation? If it is not, then that is why the place feels cold. An appreciable improvement in insulation value can be installed for a comparatively small outlay.

suisidevw

Completely agree with above. TRV's so rest of system can be off but living room/bedroom on?! We have central heating and fireplace....... fire more for atmosphere effect than to roast the house!

RX-78

The house is 30+ years old and my mom said the radiators are 70s/80s stuff. The boiler is only a few years old and there is a thermostat in the hallway for the entire house. I'm sure I saw it some where the cavity insulation has been done already and there is insulation in the loft - but the surveyors report suggested this should be thicker.

When the central heating is on the house is pretty warm. I tend to like living in 20C+ heat and cant get warm no matter how many layers of clothing I put on - so I thought a fireplace to heat up one room would be a good idea. You are probably right - replacing the radiators to a more modern one is probably a better solution over long term. But right now we cant afford to replace 12 radiators (I think) in the house - I assume thats 6-8k job?

I think we will get a fireplace even if we get the central heating sorted out as we like the effect of the flame (and I can sit 2 inches away from it to warm my feet up!). So can anyone give me any suggestions?

bushie_2

You sound like me!! Took great delight myself about 3 weeks ago doing the same as you, getting rid of awful brick fireplace and built a new one, which I'm really proud of and looks great!! :j

Costings for me were:
Huge gorgeous surround - ebay £9
Aquaboard £15
Tiles (reduced) £12
Adhesive £7
1 bag readymix to seal £3

I kept the same fire though.

I also sealed and took back behind fireplace so would be safe if I ever wanted to get gas fed through and swap for a gas fire in the future.

An extra bonus is a neighbour who advised and helped whenI got stuck have took out their fireplace its also in good condition, given theirs to me so thats my other room sorted just going to cost me time doing it :T

RX-78

Wow you sound a lot more DIY savvy then we are. Neither of us have any building skill so I'll have to do some overtime to earn to pay the builder.

Thinking of gettin a contemporary wall hang one - we are going for modern look (hopefully) and I thought it will look better. My partner disagrees though!