Advice on Woodburner surround - w/pics

[BookishKitten]

Hi,
We've moved into our home about 3 years ago and we've been so busy with work and small child that we never got round to finish the woodburner hole (for want of the adequate name...) and surround.

We want a surround of this style (see pic 1). i.e. we don't want just a floating shelf above the hole where the burner sits.

Does anyone know if the wooden surround needs to be affixed to some sort of material? If you check one of the diagrams there's something called facing - can this be a part of the wood surround, or does it have to be in a different material?

I've added a couple of other images to help you with the details in case you answer back, which would be amazing! :)

I also wanted to know: our ceiling height is quite low (230cm). How high do you think the surround should go? 100cm or 115cm? The measurements of the woodburner hole are in the last pic to help you.

Thanks, Mumsnetters!

forgot to add the last pic with measurements. Here it is!

There's rules about wood and how close to the fire it can be, so I don't think facing can be wood. I want this look also!

We've got an inset woodburner with a granite surround.

We've replastered the wall twice due to the heat . I'd be very wary putting anything around a woodburner tbh, and would go to a specialist fireplace centre for advice. You can buy lintels that look like wood but are fireproof if I recall.

Not just anyone can install a wood burner - in fact, we needed planning permission for the flue outside and had to prove that everything was installed “fire safe”. Very clear restrictions on height/material/distance from wall etc. Get the professionals to do it, it’s not something to mess around with.

We have 2, both installed by HETAS engineers. There are lots of safety regulations, so having it installed by a professional is essential.
One is installed in the same way as Peonies, inset. The plaster above does get very hot.
Our other one is set into the original opened up brick chimney. Any wood surround, or as in some cases used as a lintel within the chimney has to be a certain distance away. Hence, getting the right info from a professional installer.

I’d do it quickly I think there was a consultation on them, especially in cities and the particles they give out, their sale could be restricted at some point in the next couple of years. We have a gas one, I’m a bit of a snob but it is so easy to switch on that I’m a convert.

There are several shops which supply solid fuel burners, I would suggest you visit them and they will work out what size you need.

You will need to tell them the room size this dictates the stove size.

This then sets the “hole” size and they will tell you about surrounds distance etc.

You may also need to get your chimney lined. There is quite a lot of detail needed to ensure safety.

Hi, thanks everyone!
Our wood burner has already been installed by an engineer, we’ve adhered to all the requirements (size, fuel style, four, etc). Now it’s just a question of decorating the hole with a nice surround. We’ve been using the burner for the past 3 years, it’s just a question of decorating. Our wall is not plastered. I’ve had one carpenter in who told me that hardwood could warp and the best option would be to go for a resin surround. He also works with wood burner company who is doing the hearth stone, so I’m guessing his advice is sound?
Thanks!

Sorry, I meant flue not four! And our chimney is also lined!

I have the same surround as the one in your first pic, although mine is Limestone not wood.

I was intending to have a woodburner in the opening then changed my mind and went with an open fire. When looking at surrounds nothing was said about a wooden one not being suitable, I just preferred the limestone.

We’ve recently had a woodburner and surround fitted very similar to your picture. It’s limestone, we were told by our fitter that wood surround wouldn’t meet current regulations.

Meant to add, that’s the fire surround before we patched up the wallpaper and you can see how it fixed into the wall of the chimney breast. We plan on decorating but not till builders finish in other areas of the house.
Our logburner fitter managed to source us the surround from one of his suppliers at a good price but it’s widely available online and in different sizes.
www.castfireplaces.co.uk/brompton-agean-limestone-surround