Fireplace Mega Deals

So versatile yet affordable is the freestanding electric fireplace suite. The effect can be similar to that of laying turf in a new garden, they have an immediate impact to transform what was an unusable area into a haven of desireabilty. If you have a living space, a study or even a work space where you spend any amount of time, why not make that space a comfortable and visually attractive place to be. 

Subtle background lighting and a controlable ambient temperature
can have a real positive effect, bound to greatly enhance the human spirit. The electric suite is not only instant but easily installed with the minimum of disruption.    

These can be placed against any wall, only requiring a plug socket within reach of the cable. The range of suites available from the gb Mantels collection do not include an electric fire. This allows you the freedom to choose your style preference from a particular manufacturer, or even to use your existing freestanding or inset fire.

A standard fire opening is provided which will accomodate the majority of electric fires now available with an inset depth of just 3″/75mm.  The gb Mantels range of suites are manufactured from the finest hardwood veneers and supplied with integral downlights operated by a subtly placed on/off switch.

Such is the versatile nature of these electric suites that if you wish to change the furniture positions within a room, the fireplace can also be easily moved to suit. Even room to room or should you move home at any time, the fireplace suite can be taken with you. Again an ideal solution should space be at a premium.

There are five striking mantel finishes available Clear Oak, Mango, Olde England White, White Stone or Beige Stone to cater for every taste. Flexible colour choices of the back panel and hearth allow either one colour throughout the suite, or you can select contrasting colours to suit. We think you will agree, you can’t get any more versatile than that.

With today’s modern design technology, advanced finishes and techniques plus newly sourced materials, many styles have been introduced by leading bespoke fireplace surround manufacturers. None more so than by the well respected manufacturer GB Mantels with an established reputation for quality and excellence.

GB Mantels consistently produce state of the art timber fireplace surrounds manufactured entirely in South Yorkshire. The latest technology combined with age old experience of skilled craftsmen create the most versatile ranges of individually handmade wooden mantelpieces available today.

Fireplace Mega Deals offers the GB Mantels range from classic to contemporary together with the distinctly ultramodern.  We offer these surrounds safe in the knowledge that your fireplace has been crafted from the finest natural materials and treated with absolute tender loving care.

Timbers sourced include European Oak known as the king of woods due to its unique character and strength. Also Pine sourced from the forests of North America (Southern Yellow Pine) is very dense and hard wearing also possessing  striking decorative knots.

gb Mantels Eden Fire Surround in Solid European Oak 

Due to the nature of natural materials, it is common for surrounds to vary in colour due to natural shading and wood grains. Stunning natural materials provide individuality as no two surrounds will ever be identical. Solid and veneered woods are subject to grain differences, knots and blemishes which are all natural occurrences.

The interior design and features are what make the difference to the ‘feel’ of a room when you enter.  It’s that instant  ”Oh! I do like this room” or “If I lived here I would have to change this and that”.

This almost indescribable ’feeling’ is what makes us all individual and is governed by the human senses of  being either Visual, Auditory or Kinesthetic. It explains why one person instantly falls in love with something and another  absolutely hates it.  We experienced this scenario several times over the 20 years whilst operating our fireplace showroom. To the degree that even a compromise could not be reached when a couple were choosing say a fireplace or even a fire.  However, this fascinating piece of psychology can be researched elsewhere.

The reason I mention this is that I could imagine the appeal of one against the other of two identical fireplace package options manufactured by a leading UK manufacturer gb Mantels.The two surrounds appear surprisingly unrecognisable when shown in completely different finishes.  Also with a change of  micrograin marble or black granite hearth and back panel along with the style of fire.

Welland shown in Tudor Oak with Black Oak Inlay

 

 

 

Some will be indifferent to one of the finishes, maybe even dislike one and find the other striking. It’s a fair bet that not everybody will prefer the same one, even within the same family.

 

It has been said that “it’s a good job we don’t all like the same things” as there would then be no choice. It is therefore choice that abounds when choosing the focal point for any living space. This undeniably has to be the fireplace and although an initial overall look may not be to your particular taste, it is worth considering the available options.

Many designs being contemporary, traditional or some that even suit both interior styles. Colour finishes, natural grains or textures, lighting, the fire fuel effects and fascias can transform a living room into very desirable ‘chic’. With the addition of a matching mirror which is now available also by gb Mantels, the designer look is complete.

Each individual taste can be catered for … but YOU have to love it and there is plenty to love. Why not take a look at our fireplace packages and also see the affordable mega deals for yourself.

Why you should consider a versatile stand-alone Dimplex or Manor electric stove.

When entering a living room with a free standing electric stove instantly a cosy warm ambiance is created. During winter months many of us long to arrive home, sit down comfortably in front of a fire and relax.

Radiators are great for generating a desired ambient temperature. However have you ever seen anybody drawing their chair closer to sit in front of a radiator. It would surely be similar to watching paint dry.

It is fire that has satisfied man’s desire. Dancing flames provide a unique visual experience. This can be simply provided even without heat from an electric stove. Just the flame effect glow of the electric stove gives a sense of warmth. Thanks to the latest design improvements the fire effect is very realistic.

The running costs of the fire effect only are minimal for electric stoves. When the heater is required a low and high setting is generally available. Heat is provided by means of a fan heater which convects heat into the room. Electrical heating is 100% efficient, meaning there is no loss of heat from the room. Unlike other forms of fuel that need to be burnt and require a flue or chimney. A selected room temperature can also be maintained by the thermostatic control setting.

Dimplex electric stoves offer a range of accessories. Slate effect hearth slabs on which to stand the stove upon to add realism and avoid the need for a fire surround. Easy fit stove pipes and alternative fuel beds.

A major advantage of the freestanding fire or stove is the ease of installation, requiring only a domestic electrical socket. With no regulations or restrictions these are ideal for any room in the house including conservatories. Some Manor electric stoves have a fan only operation for use on those hot summer days. Also the low maintenance required together with the fact that an electric stove will last considerably longer when compared to a gas boiler.

The latest generation of Opti-Myst flame and smoke effects from Dimplex have to be seen to be believed for the ultimate solid fuel burning realism effect.

It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s unwise to pay too little.

When you pay too much you lose a little money, that is all.

When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits saving a little and getting a lot. It can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it’s well to add something for the risk you run.

And if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better.

QUALITY……….

There is hardly anything in the world today that some man can’t make just a little worse and sell just a little cheaper, and the people who buy on price alone are this man’s lawful prey.

Fireplace Mega Deals information articles regarding the general preparation and the fitting of the hearth are two articles covering these important steps, intended to be read in conjunction with the following. Therefore this information assumes that you have reached the stage once the fireplace hearth has been fitted.

Now the foundation is in place you can build the body of a marble or granite fireplace having a wooden surround (as in a fireplace package).  So, what’s next?  Well, if it is to be an inset fire there will be a small drop directly behind the hearth that will need filling and levelling to the same level of the hearth. Some of the mortar mix that is left over from bedding the hearth will do this. Roughly level out the mortar with a trowel and then have a length of smooth straight wood (similar to a spirit level) available. Be careful don’t use anything that could leave scratches on the surface of marble. Place the straight edge against the hearth and into the opening and then in small forwards and backward movements, slowly move from one side to the other across the mortar area. This will then leave a level continuation of the hearth providing a floor for the fire to sit on

Fine, you are now ready to fit the back panel section.

Measure the width of the panel and mark the centre on the top edge. This will line up with the fireplace centre line on the wall. With a trowel cover the back of the panel with ‘blobs’ of tile adhesive (not the whole of the surface).  It should resemble the look of snow balls that have been thrown and stuck to it, with gaps in between each one of approx 75mm. Depth of the blobs will be approx 10-15mm at the deepest point. Now stand the back panel on the hearth and gently push the back panel against the wall so that the centre lines up with the centre line. You should feel the adhesive spread slightly and begin to grip. The panel should now be sat further off the wall than its final resting position, measuring approx 30-35mm from the wall.

Here’s the secret to achieving a perfectly flush fit with the back panel against the surround. This is achieved by using the surround itself when lifted onto the hearth to push back the panel into position. When all the back edges of the surround touch the wall and will not move any further back, this is exactly where the back panel needs to finally sit. It’s better if two persons are available to do this to check all back edges are back against the wall at the same time. Take the surround off the hearth now and fill the gap around the whole perimeter of the panel with tile adhesive and smooth off. The same needs to be done around the cut-out in the back panel. Wipe off any excess that is on the surface and  ”hey presto” it’s time for a brew!

Question: Hey!  Go on then , … “ What if I want an inset fire and only have a flat wall or a shallow pre-cast flue”?

O.K.  …  The majority of wooden surrounds will have a 25mm rebate which allows for the 20mm thickness of the back panel to be accommodated within the surround. In addition a removable rebate section (known as an adjustable rebate) that can be unscrewed to allow for a rebate of 75mm if required. The 25mm rebate would be used for a fireplace installation against a chimney breast where the depth required for an inset fire would be sufficient, or against a flat wall for an outset/ freestanding fire. In the case of an inset fire with a depth of let’s say 170mm and intended for fitting into a pre-cast flue (with a restricted depth e.g. 100mm) the larger 75mm rebate would be required. Thus, allowing for a deeper fire to be used by bringing the back panel to the front of the surround rebate. The fire depth then is partly sat within the fireplace not just the flue.

Question: “On Yeah!” .. “I did that and now the back panel is so far away from the wall it can’t be supported”

Well spotted. So you can now see that the method of installing the body of the fireplace will depend on the intended fire/flue depth. Everyone knows you can’t hide a 10ft pole in a 6ft hole. So, the back panel will need a frame for it to be fitted against.

When a frame is required for the back panel you will need some lengths of approx 50mm x 50-80mm rough sawn timber for this. The marble or granite back panel is normally 20mm thick and you need to fill the 75mm rebate.  Caution; The plastered wall you are fitting against will almost certainly not be perfectly flat across the whole fireplace area. In my experience the best walls come somewhere close, others have a bow, dip or worse.  These fluctuations have to be taken into account if the surround is to fit as tightly as possible to the wall when the job is completed.  To compensate you therefore need to leave space for a flexible bed of tile adhesive.

To simplify this then, there is the thickness of the back panel 20mm plus a timber frame let’s say 50mm giving a total of 70mm. This provides for a 5mm tolerance gap within the 75mm rebate. On a problem uneven wall, a plaster skim is possibly required to improve the surface as no fireplace material bends to fit the wall.

The frame dimensions are the same as that of the back panel and containing as many support pieces to support the panel and importantly the fire cut-out. This will be dependent on the width of timber used (if 50mm wide, more struts than if 80mm wide). The frame is measured against the centre line then fixed to the wall with 75mm screws. The tile adhesive is then applied to the whole of the timber rather than to the back panel. If a gas fire is to be fitted, it is necessary to clad the timber along all three surfaces of the cut-out with a non combustible fire board. Caution;  Remember to allow for the thickness of this board when constructing the frame so that the fire opening size is maintained .

All measurements given are as a general guide and should be checked for relevancy.

This article assumes that you have read the relevant ‘General Preparation’ item and have all the pre requisite steps in mind before proceeding to fit your fireplace. The following relates to a standard hearth size:  (1372mm x 380mm with a riser [not solid, but having a void beneath] and an overall hearth height of approx 55-70mm). This is referred to generally as a ‘boxed’ hearth which is the most common for a modern fireplace. The procedure will be the same for smaller or larger hearths, but the quantity of mortar will need to be adjusted accordingly.

O.K. then, firstly you need to have the means of mixing approx 3 buckets of mortar in which to lay a standard 54×15 inch hearth. The mixture should be 4-5 parts soft sand (building sand) to 1 part portland cement. Continue Reading »

Every circumstance you may encounter cannot be addressed here but in general terms the following would apply to installation of a marble or limestone fireplace including fireplace packages (hearth, back panel & surround). As with most projects the finished result depends almost entirely on the preparation.  Mistakes made at this early stage when installing a marble fireplace can be costly to rectify or even at best impossible to hide.

Imagine your fireplace installed, you rest in front to admire your efforts and then you realise the fire sits slightly to one side, or say, the hearth is not centred or maybe not quite level.  It’s only maybe a centimetre or so (although I have seen much worse) – you then ask yourself  … will anybody notice. You just have and you will know something is not quite right possibly every single time you enter that room. My experience tells me that this seems acceptable to some, “bang it in – jobs a good un”.  If you would like to do a job to be proud of, you may like to read on and get some information which will perhaps avoid some of the costly pitfalls. Continue Reading »

Modern gas fires are not only available in a wide range of individual styles but also in a wide range of formats and installation options. For example, options include inset (traditional or contemporary), outset, and hole-in-the-wall.  Flueless, power flue, and balanced flue gas fire technology means that today’s gas fires are flexible, safe, effective, cost efficient, and not to mention aesthetically pleasing ways to heat homes.  Choosing the gas fire that works best for your particular circumstances and requirements requires a little background information about each main type of gas fire and its heating system. Continue Reading »

The evolution of electric fires has brought an ever wider array of benefits to home owners, landlords, and housing professionals. At a time when utilities are relatively expensive, ways of lowering energy bills whilst not compromising on warmth, safety and convenience are attractive prospects.

 The benefits of electric fires per se as opposed to other domestic heating methods are of course part and package of an electric suite.  An electric suite is an entire electric heating solution which includes the electric fire itself along with (depending on the particular suite) the trim, surround, fuel effects, hearth,  remote control etc. The electric suite therefore comprises everything you need to install and run an attractive and efficient electric fire virtually anywhere in the home.

gb Mantels California Suite for choice of Electric Fire

 

The alternative for setting up a fireplace for an electric fire is to buy and install different components separately e.g. the Surround, Hearth and Back Panel.  This would undoubtedly be the more costly method all things considered.

Unlike solid fuel fires or gas fires, electric fires don’t actually burn any fuel to produce heat.  This means that they are a much safer form of heating.  For example, electric fires don’t produce poisonous gasses associated with burning fuel e.g. carbon monoxide.  Also, unlike a solid fuel fire, an electric fire can be instantly switched off when it’s not needed, and therefore there is no risk of leaving a fire unattended or of burning fragments from the fire being propelled into the room.  Although gas fires are safer and more controllable in operation than solid fuel fires, they still require fitting by a qualified ‘Gas Safe’ fitter to a source of piped in gas.  Electric fires simply need an electric power source such as a plug socket. Although modern gas fires are highly efficient and cost effective ways of heating the home, modern electric fires are 100% efficient.  This means that all the valuable heat energy produced is propelled into the room rather than being lost up a chimney as with solid fuel fires. Although electricity is used as a power source, the high efficiency and controllability means that electric fires are an environmentally friendly option.

Since modern electric fires don’t burn any fuel there’s no need for them to be installed near a chimney or flue. This gives much greater flexibility in where they can be installed and used i.e. they can be used in dwellings where there is no chimney or where there are problems with the chimney or flue, and there is complete flexibility within any home as to where they actually sited.

Electric Suite Options                                                                                

Electric suites can be free standing or wall mounted.  Installation of an electric suite therefore usually only requires a flat wall and the necessary simple bracket or fastening system. Assembling and installing the suite therefore is likely to take approximately one hour. The simple fastenings, or the free standing electric suites means that they can be taken with you e.g. if moving house.

Flamerite Fires Lucca Suite

 

The choice and style of electric suites is wide and varied. For example, smaller wall mounted suites are available in contemporary styles incorporating glass and mirrored panels.  These are fantastically compatible with modern flats or smaller rooms, and can be stunning focal point features as well as being an efficient and cost effective heat source.  Electric suites often have hidden / concealed heat technology so the suite maintains its aesthetic good looks.  Switchable fuel flicker effects and the ability to run the flame effect independently of the heater mean that visual and atmospheric benefits can be enjoyed all year round.  Electric suites often incorporate fires which can be operated by a simple remote control (which often includes a dimmer), so getting the temperature and effect just right in the room is as easy as changing the television channel. The materials and the match of surrounds, fires, and hearths in electric suite packages means that there’s one to suite virtually any home design theme.  Wood, marble or stone effect surrounds, or more contemporary finishes are all available with electric suites, which means that completing stylish and practical interior design changes and makeovers in the home are easier and less expensive than ever before.

Electric suites not only stay looking good for a long time, but there are none of the maintenance worries associated with other fuel sources.  For example, solid fuel fires require regular chimney sweeping, flue inspection and chimney/flue maintenance, and gas fires ideally require regular annual servicing.

Choosing an electric suite therefore provides a number of attractive benefits and the promise of affordable, stylish and safe warmth for many winters to come.