What kind of fire do you have and why?

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Ok, so as part of project house make over we need à new fire and fireplace. Am not sûre whether or not ti have an open wood fire (not woodburner, would need too much work), or a gas fire.

Just wondering about pros and Cons. Our fireplace is quite draughty.

www.direct-fireplaces.com/cast-iron-fire-surrounds-and-inserts/arched-cast-iron-fire-inserts/ce-lux-cast-iron-fire-insert-from-carron-fireplaces/116.html?gclid=CJqU3YKtzLwCFcuWtAodXW4A5w

attractive and no loss of heat when not on. A gas fire has the damper permanently fixed open. Open coal/woodburning cast iron fires don't.

That's nice, although I would need a white or very pale wood surround. I like the black insert, not sure whether I prefer total black or black with some silver.

I spoke to a fitter who is going to come round and give me some advice, now that I have a sort of ish idea what I would like.

I did see a lovely gas cassette type fire but that will be at least £1k more and I don't want to spend that kind of extra money

I have a matt black with white surround. Works well with a slate hearth. Was dubious about the white (gloss paint) but couldn't afford to replace the one we have. I was pleased with how well it worked. The cast we chose was called London.

Haven't thought about the hearth, do you think slate is nicer than granite?

We have white gloss ikea units so white gloss might go ok.....

We have a woodburner - it's fab - we don't even have a fireplace, just a hearth with a stove pipe.

lots of bargain woodburners on Amazon (of all places!)

We have a gas stove. Considered a wood burner but I am home alone with the children a lot and wanted something quick and easy to heat the lounge as and when. We couldn't find an inset gas fire we liked. Slate hearth and floating mantle came from eBay.

We've got a log burner in one room and an open fire in another.
The log burner is very efficient, easy to use and heats the rooms really well.
The open fire is much prettier.
We have an endless supply of free wood, but you do need quite a lot of space to store it.

An open fire makes a lot of dust. Most of the best goes up the chimney and it causes draughts as it sucks in cold air to replace the hot that is warming the birds.

Would you mind carrying hodfuls of fuel in several times an evening?

A multi fuel is cleaner and more efficient. Gas is very clean and much less work, though if open "coals" with no glass, is an ornament as again a lot of heat goes up the chimney. Not bad used in conjunction with GCH.

Woodburner is not an option here. Also, there is not 'hodfuls of fuel several times an evening' with our open fire. I grew up with open fires, spent 20 years with a stove. They are actually not that much different to run. Gas is the easiest cleanest option. Behind glass is most efficient. Not as nice as real flame though.
Slate is less overpowering than granite I think.

That's what I thought, granite can be very black.

Heading to a different shop today with a bit more info!

I love a real wood open fire but I think all things considered a gas fire with a cast iron surround might be best. Very difficult. Just been looking on pinterest and houzz!

Open fire here. Find it much more relaxing than MIL's log burner but the latter is undoubtedly more efficient and gives off more heat. Store logs, kindling etc in utility room and have gone in with MIL on a huge delivery of logs which are stored in her shed.