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Original poster

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?

71 replies

Callmegeoff · 02/10/2016 14:13

We've just knocked a wall down to create a kitchen diner. We're about to install an 8kw clear view wood burner. I'm finding it hard to decide whether to keep what I think is the original surround. I think a simple oak mantle might look better - any views?

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
wowfudge · 02/10/2016 15:17

Difficult one - if it's original to the house it would be nice to keep it, but if you don't like it then maybe go for something simpler. You can probably get a reclamation place to remove and take away the whole thing.

Ruhrpott · 02/10/2016 15:18

I hope it's a big room. 8 kw is a lot

NorbertDentressangle · 02/10/2016 15:22

Agree that 8kw is a lot!

Also there are lots of regulations nowadays about what materials can be within a certain distance of the woodburner so you may not be able to have wooden surround??

Ask whoever is fitting it what options you have but make sure they know what they are talking about

sentia · 02/10/2016 15:24

I love that fireplace! I'd keep it, it looks like an original feature of the house?

SecretMongoose · 02/10/2016 15:27

8kw is big, and when we were having a log burner installed the man doing it said there are rules on ventilation if you have >5kw fires installed. Don't know if that applies if you do it yourself? You should also have a CO detector installed.

SecretMongoose · 02/10/2016 15:28

Sorry didn't answer your question at all! If it's original I'd probably keep it.

Ruhrpott · 02/10/2016 15:32

Yes I think you need an air brick if over 5kw which are draughty

Ruhrpott · 02/10/2016 15:32

Love the surround though

Palomb · 02/10/2016 15:36

Beautiful fireplace. It doesn't look the the actual opening is very big. We've had to sacrifice having an log burner as we couldn't get one small enough to fit in the hole of our 30's fireplaces.

Have you checked you can get one to fit with the appropriate clearances?

GinAndOnIt · 02/10/2016 15:36

Blimey, where do you live - I'll take the whole lot off your hands Grin

Would be a shame to lose it but then I don't like original things thrown away. No point keeping it if you don't like it though I suppose.

IAmAPaleontologist · 02/10/2016 15:37

Flipping heck ours isn't even that big and it does all our water and heating for a 3 bed house! You are going to be roasting when you light the fire!

Very pretty surround though, would be lovely to keep it if you can.

Marmitelover55 · 02/10/2016 16:22

We have the Clearview vision 500 which is 8kw. Your gap looks quite small and I don't think ours would fit in your opening. We still have our surround but the cast iron insert had already been removed when we moved in.

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
Original poster
Callmegeoff · 02/10/2016 16:28

Thanks for the replies. I love the surround I just can't visualise it round the burner which will be cream by the way. I am hoping it chucks the heat out its a draughty old Victorian with high ceilings. I'm at home a lot in the day and don't want the heating on.

The room is big (see photos) and I know about the air bricks. I'll see what the person fitting it says I didn't know about surround regulations.

If we sold it Dh thinks we shouldn't take less than £500 Hmm I'm not sure about that.

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
OP posts:
Original poster
Callmegeoff · 02/10/2016 16:37

X post marmite it's the vision 500 that we want. Looking at yours it looks like we need a bigger hole. Yours looks lovely btw and I think we have the same light!

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Kidnapped · 02/10/2016 16:40

Another one to keep if you can, although the opening does look narrow. I really like the tiles, the hearth tiles and the parquet on the floor so I'd try to keep the kitchen/diner pretty neutral so that those features stand out.

If you can't keep the surround in situ, then try to remove it carefully and use it elsewhere in the house (a bedroom maybe?).

IloveAiredales · 02/10/2016 16:47

Our log burner is 8kw and our opening is way bigger than that, however I love your original fireplace and it would be a shame to lose it - could you get a smaller stove to fit?

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
GinAndOnIt · 02/10/2016 17:00

I'm quite jealous of your built in cupboard!

Marmitelover55 · 02/10/2016 17:15

Callmegeoff - what good taste we both have Grin

SecretMongoose · 02/10/2016 18:17

It should chuck heat out, we have a 5kw burner in a 6m x 6m room and it's plenty warm enough! We don't have high ceilings but do have draughty old windows. 😄

Ruhrpott · 02/10/2016 18:26

We have a 5kw in a room 6m by 5m with 3.9m high ceilings and it gets so warm I have to open the door to let the heat out into the rest of the house.

user147293936281 · 02/10/2016 18:49

We have an 8kw wood burner with a wooden surround in our Victorian front room. I've attached a picture. It needed slips (ours are slate) between the stove and surround to protect it and there are strict regulations about clearances which your fitters/stove surveyor should know about.

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
IAmAPaleontologist · 02/10/2016 21:12

From your pics the room will be amazing when done,lovely Windows and cornicing.

Original poster
Callmegeoff · 03/10/2016 07:29

Thankyou paleantologist

Ok decision made, we'll do our best to keep it. I've shown Dh this thread and he's now convinced.

Slightly off topic I've just bought a fan for the lounge burner -I think lots of the heat was going up the chimney. Its really made a difference used it for the first time last night.Any way mine was over £100 but Aldi are about to have them in for £25!

OP posts:
PikachuSayBoo · 03/10/2016 07:41

I think a nice wood mantle looks nicer.

Should we keep this surround for our wood burner?
anotherdayanothersquabble · 03/10/2016 08:45

Beautiful house! ! What fabulous features, quarry tiles, coving, sash windows, fireplace, cupboard, awesome parquet, original cupboard. You've bought well!!

The fireplace is beautiful, the hearth is in good condition, the side tiles are beautiful and the wood surround is really intricate for a wood surround. Keep it if you can!!

Read this

And consider maybe putting a wood burner in the other room as well or looking at a heat pump. We have a heat pump and it uses hardly any fuel to heat the house.