Open Fires

In spite of the clichés telling us about the beauty of open fires, it's generally agreed that there's nothing better than the old-time panache of an indoor stove with just the firebox and basket below to catch the ash and tinder. What makes our open fires so popular is feeling the full exposed warmth and the minimalist luxury of being able to throw on another log with the greatest of ease. Essentially, open fires are the ideal design for smaller hearth constructions.

Fireplace Safety Advice

There are a number of things to consider if you're thinking about an open design. The first, and most obvious, is safety. If you have children then it's best to err on the side of caution and ensure they can keep a safe distance. On the other hand, it's also worth considering the importance of your own property - if any stray ash that's still alight is pushed out of the fire, there's no grille or grate to stop its flight forwards.

Make sure you have a tile base suitable to catch stray ash and that furniture is given a bit of distance. The best way to prevent wayward flames is to keep your fire under moderation and to ensure you're using the correct fuel or kindling. When setting your fire, ensure the fuel is set loosely and has a strong airflow to avoid sudden flame contact.

Warm Open Plan Fires

Another aspect of buying an open fire is the heat production. Because of its bare-bones design, many prefer buying a 'cradle' design without a grate of glass enclosure, meaning open fires may feel slightly hotter. For smaller rooms, this may mean that open fires will overheat and will require plenty of attention to keep the temperature under control. Your flue needs to be able to cope with the heat and smoke production, too. As a general rule, open fireplaces need a chimney that measures at least 7 inches across internally.

Open Fire Air Control

As the fire has full exposure to the air in the room because of the lack of any shielding around the hearth, the fire will burn much more readily than usual. With this is mind, consideration should also be given to the air circulation around the room. You need to have a good supply of fresh air coming in to the room to prevent the room's environment turning stale, but no too much to let the fire become too wild - you should only have a window open during the lighting of the fire, not after it's burning on its own.

Ensure you have just the right circulation as a poor equilibrium will result in energy prevention loss. Alternatively, a recommended addition for open fireplaces is an insert. This extra metal frame set around the stove is designed to shift the flow of energy in the correct direction. While this can detract from the simplicity of the open fire design, it can save plenty of money on insulation costs.

Modern & Traditional Open Fires

Thankfully, many buyers don't have any trouble finding an open fire design to match their architecture. Contemporary and art deco models serve as excellent designs for modern home interiors or even a subtle item of furniture for city bachelor pads; alternatively, we also offer more traditional designs compacted down in size to retain their rustic or Georgian appearance in a scale version when space is at a premium.