Talk to me about gas fires

[LivLemler]

We have a gas fire in our living room, there since the house was built in the 70s, surrounded by a hideous beautiful tiled fireplace. It has to go.

What would you replace it with? I'd love a real fire, but in reality the thoughts of cleaning it out would stop me lighting it, so gas it is.

We were going to go with a gas stove with wooden mantle above but then never did the job and we're wondering if that's still what we want...

I would highly recommend a living flame gas fire. I thought I wanted a wood burner, so glad I didn't get one now. Small room, just had a baby.l, etc

Instead I opted for renovated antique cast iron tile surround with tile inserts with a living flame fire. Loved it! Looked good when not on and like a real fire when on. Also on at the flick of a switch and warm!

@Kdubs , this is what I'd like. Did you get a gas fitter and a builder in?

No, the fireplace restorers fitted it all (it was a gas fitter who connected it up though, obviously). But we had s pre-existing hideous gas fire, so quite easy. I suppose you might need a builder if a hole needs knocking out in chimney breast?

I can recommend the firieplace place we used in Manchester, but obv not helpful if you're nowhere near!