It is tempting for all of us (during this drawn out credit crunch) to push for discount and to look for the cheapest buying option. However, buying a Fireplace Mantel, Stone Fireplace, Marble Fireplace, Fireplace Suite, Cast Iron Fireplace or Stove is not generally a simple purchase, a it might be easy to find internet shops that will sell these kinds of products, but you must be aware that advice about the product before you purchase is vital. You need to know that the Fireplace/ Fire/Stove is suitable for your property (believe me it is a lot more complicated than you probably realise) and advice, fitting and good aftercare service is essential throughout your purchase. If you want to ensure peace of mind and good aftercare you should purchase your products through an Independent Fireplace Retailer. In addition you will be showing support for your local business during a difficult time for them!
The National Fireplace Assosiation recently released this article:
Many internet retailers fail to point out to their purchasers that the installation of their new wood-burning stove is governed by the Building Regulations. To paraphrase Approved Document J of the Building Regulations 2002, purchasers of solid fuel stoves (those burning wood fuels or coal based fuels) must either apply to their local authority building inspectorate for a Building Notice or use a registered member of a ‘Competent Persons’ scheme for solid fuels. The only competent persons scheme for solid fuel is run by HETAS, a not-for-profit company which approves solid fuel appliances and fuels as well as operating this ‘Competent Person’s’ scheme in England and Wales. The HETA web site at www.hetas.co.uk.
With little or no information received by purchasers from internet stove sellers, many try to install these stoves themselves unaware of the Building Regulation requirements or the possible danger of fire or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if these products are not installed properly. The National Fireplace Association, which is the trade body for the fireplace industry (fires, fireplaces and stoves powered by all types of fuel), would like to see each stove accompanied by a sheet spelling out the purchaser’s duty to have the stove installed safely in line with both the Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s instructions.
How does Father Christmas manage to keep his beard gleaming white after jumping down millions of chimeys in one night?! Maybe he only chooses clean ones?!
Keeping your chimney clean especially in winter is important. A blocked chimney does not only create a lot of mess from soot fall and stop the fire working efficiently it can result in a chimney fire and contribute towards carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you are not sure who to contact you may find this link to The National Association of Chimney Sweeps useful.
If you do keep your chimney swept, but still experince a few problems with downdraft, soot and rain fall than there is something you can do. Installation of a rain cap or chimney cowl will help protect the chimney from extreme weather conditions.
Winter is upon us and the central heating is on, and if there was ever a time that the boiler was going to break down it would be now (as the outside temperatures are forecast to drop below minus 5 degrees)!
Most of us would know who to call in this situation and the majority of us have a service contract for our gas boiler, but don’t forget that your gas fire requires a service once a year too. To ensure your warranty is valid for the up and coming years and that your fire is going to be working on those cosy Christmas mornings you could contact homeserve or British Gas.
Also to find out about gas safety and why you should always use a Gas Safe engineer for fitting and servicing gas appliances it is worth taking a look at the Gas Safe website.
If you are like me and feel the pressures of global warming and have thought about changing from a gas to wood fuel fire…but, also like me, do not relish the idea of trailing out in to the back garden on a cold morning to fetch wood, GOOD NEWS! Capital Fireplaces offer a range of the highest efficiency gas convector fires on the market (upto 89% efficient). The glass fronted gas convector fire options are the most efficient and when switched off also prevent heat from your room escaping up the chimney. They are clean and use little gas when running, so now you can be kinder to your purse and kinder to the environment at the same time. 
When furnishing any room there is a piece of furniture that should be considered first – the sofa in the living room, the bed in the bed room, the desk in the office. This piece in most cases should face the focal point of the room. The focal point can be a view window, television or a beautiful fireplace. Keith at Reading Designs recommends ‘The large pieces should be evenly distributed so as not to put the room off balance. Leave room around them for the best affect. In selecting these pieces, keep the architectural shapes in the room in mind’
The BBC Home website says:
‘Make your Fireplace your focal point’
• Consider painting the chimney breast to contrast with the walls and to highlight the feature, or for a more subtle effect paint the walls and chimney breast with the same colour or tone as the fireplace.
• Mantel shelf – de-clutter. If you are lucky enough to own a Stone fireplace or Marble fireplace then the mantle is a style focal point and not a magnet for keys, loose change or post.
• Accessorise – if there is an open fire, or open fireplace then a coal scuttle, log basket and poker (Fireplace Accessories) may automatically theme a traditional fireside area. If you have an unused hearth or an electric or gas fire and are looking for a modern, minimalistic look, a collection of large church candles will provide light and atmosphere. In summer, fresh flowers draw the eye.
• Artwork/Mirrors – to reinforce the fireplace mantel as a focal point, hang your best artwork over the fireplace or place a mirror on top, but be aware of the safety implications of viewing your reflection close to an open fire!
