Antique Fireplace Restoration Leicester Heather Hall

Antique Fireplace Restoration – Part 2

Receipt of Josh`s Bedroom Cast Iron Fireplace for restoration. The fireplace surround was covered in layers of paint with missing shelf. The Insert did not match the surround opening size. The Insert was missing bars grate and damper isolation from the chimney space.

Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 1 Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 2 Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 3Bedroom Victorian Fireplace Restored.

1. Shot blast to remove paint and add a shelf to surround.

2. Weld on an extension piece to match the surround opening.

3. Add bars with log holders and an ash cover.

4. Add a Chimney damper plate to isolate the chimney closed. (This fireplace is for decorative)

5. finally apply a Rust Inhibitor coating and finish in an antique black using grate polish. Read more

Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 4


Restored Master Bedroom Cast Iron Victorian Fireplace.

1. Shot Blast to Remove paint

2. Weld fireplace together and apply high strength joint compound sanding to match together.

3. Fit ash cover and fabricate a metal back ready made to cradle a Bio Ethanol high spec fire.

4. Apply a rust inhibitor and finish in an antique finish using grate polish.

5. Remote Control Fire Efficiency at 100% – Hand Held Remote Control – Output: 2 700 W (9 000 BTU) – Capacity of the tank: 2,25 L (0,6 Gal) – Consumption: 0,4 liter/hour (0,11 Gal/hour) – CO² detector – Combustion block heat detector – Safety bin heat detector – Burner levels detector – Fuel tank high and low levels detectors, with visual and audible alarms on the LCD screen – Accelerometer (seismic and tilt detector)

Master Sitting Room Cast Iron Fireplace for restoration. The fireplace was covered in layers of paint with missing shelf and damaged fire back. It was also missing an ash cover

Restored Will`s Bedroom Cast Iron Restored Victorian Fireplace. 1. Cut top of fireplace to even the broken cast piece. weld corner to match. Grind and fit shelf. 2. Shot blast to remove paint. 3. Add bar set and ash cover. Fit a fabricated metal fire back isolated against chimney (use is decorative). 4. Apply a rust inhibitor coating and finish in an Antique traditional black using grate polish.

Antique Fireplace Restoration Services UK Nationwide

UK specialists in fully restoring antique fireplaces, sales of antique and reproduction fireplaces and stoves. Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

How to Replace An Antique Fireplace

How Do I Replace An Antique Fireplace?

Fireplaces are the heart of living rooms in historic houses. Before the middle of the 20th century, almost all the rooms of a house, including bedrooms, were heated by open fires. Even though gas fires and central heating are now used for heating, many houses still have antique fireplaces.

Note: Listed Building Consent may be required to remove or alter your fireplace if your house is a listed building, and you should seek advice on this before carrying out any changes.

Listed Building Consent Advice for Replacing Antique Fireplaces

If you want to alter or extend a listed building in a way that affects its character or appearance as a building of special architectural or historic interest, or even demolish it, you must first apply for listed building consent from your local planning authority.

You should check first with your local authority Conservation Officer whether or not consent will be needed for what you plan to do. You should also get an outline of what might be acceptable and find out whether ideas need to be adapted to make them more likely to succeed. This simple step could save a lot of time and money.

When the planning authority considers whether to grant or to refuse an application, it must give particular attention to the desirability of preserving the building, its setting and those features which make it special. These are the things you should think about when you are planning your proposed changes.

Unauthorised work is a criminal offence

You need to be aware that carrying out unauthorised works to a listed building is a criminal offence and individuals can be prosecuted.

A planning authority can insist that all work carried out without consent is reversed. You should therefore always talk to the local planning authority before any work is carried out to a listed building.

An owner will have trouble selling a property which has not been granted Listed Building Consent for work carried out.

Changes to the way listed building consent can be granted have been introduced, and are explained in our web page on the effects of the Enterprise and Regulatory Act 2013.

Antique Fireplace Anatomy for Replacing The Grate and Hearth

Fireplaces have three main parts. The chimneybreast contains the flue and often projects into the room.

The hearth is the opening that contains the grate where the fuel is burnt: this is usually iron and may have tiled sides. The chimneypiece is the ornamental surround to the hearth opening, and is often made of stone or wood. Normally there is also a stone slab in front of the fireplace: this is the hearth slab.

The chimneybreast is part of the structure of your house and you should think very carefully before planning to remove it. You may think that the chimneybreast takes up too much useful space, but it almost certainly helps to strengthen the wall it belongs to.

It also contains flues and if these are not blocked, they help to ventilate your home. Blocked flues can also create damp problems. You should seek structural advice before removing a chimney breast, and will need Building Regulations approval, as well as Listed Building Consent (if your house is listed).

Antique Fireplace Design

Whether it’s plain or ornamental, a chimneypiece is part of the history and design of the room. It helps to tell the story about how the room was used. Quite often the chimneypiece is one of the original fittings and a deliberate visual focus.

However, if it’s damaged then replacing it will If you want to take out or change your chimneypiece and replace it with an original restored antique fireplace/ Britain’s Heritage stock of original antique fireplaces includes elegant carved Georgian Fireplaces and Hob Grates, Exquisite French Marble, Elaborate Victorian and Edwardian Fireplaces as well as distinctive Art Nouveau and 1930’s Art Deco . All fully restored to their original splendor.

Maybe you are looking to replace with a new reproduction Marble Reproduction Fireplace, Wood Reproduction Fireplace, Slate and Stone Reproduction Fireplace and Reproduction Arch and Tiled inserts.

You will first need to find out whether or not the fireplace is an important part of the house. You may feel that your present chimneypiece is the wrong date or style for the room; it’s not unusual for chimney pieces to have been altered to fit in with changing taste. It may also have been adapted from a larger opening with the insertion of a smaller fireplace.

If you need more advice, call our team of experts on 0116 251 9592. It will help your discussion with your local authority if you can find a picture of the kind of chimneypiece that you want to install.

Changing an Antique Fireplace Grate

The grate is the functional part of a fireplace. You may want to install a different kind of grate, or convert it to gas or electricity. Or you may want to install a wood-burning stove.

You will usually be able to make the changes you want, unless the grate is of special historic interest. Wherever possible you should make sure that the installation is reversible, meaning that you or a future owner can undo the change without causing damage to the original building.

You should keep the hearth slab if you are going to have any kind of live fire. The purpose of the slab is to keep fragments of burning wood or coal away from the timber floorboards or the carpet.

Britains Heritage, UK Nationwide Delivery and Restoration

UK specialists in fully restoring antique fireplaces, sales of antique and reproduction fireplaces and stoves. Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplace Buyer’s Guide

10 Woodburning Stove Tips

From energy efficiency through to seasoning and storing fuel, this article answers the most common questions about woodburners

Looking for a stylish, sustainable way to heat your home? Then a woodburning stove could be the answer. Whether you’re after a traditional-looking version to warm a cosy sitting room or a cool contemporary design to sit at the heart of an open-plan living space, you’re sure to find something to suit. But how do you select the right appliance for your needs? Our Q&A will help you decide.

1) Why should I go for a woodburner?

Heritage Fireplaces offer a wide selection of wood burning stoves.

You can buy online and take delivery to your door, additionally we offer a fitting and delivery service combined. Give us a call on 0116 251 9592 with your location in the UK and we will happily provide a competitive quote. Alternatively, send us a message via our website Contact Form.

These stoves offer a great combination of aesthetic appeal and eco credentials that few heating appliances can match. From classic cast iron models to designer versions in steel or ceramic, they make for a captivating focal point. And with technology allowing for ever-larger viewing panes, the beauty of a real log fire can be enjoyed to its fullest.

Add to that the fact that responsibly-sourced, well-seasoned timber is a carbon neutral and energy-efficient fuel, and these stoves stand a class apart as attractive, practical heaters.

Woodburning Stoves Fireplaces Sales Delivery Installation Restoration Antique Cast Iron Milti Fuel-1

2) What are the style options?

The traditional matt black firebox set atop four solid legs has enduring appeal for both period-style homes and contemporary spaces – but these days there’s a huge array of statement designs to choose from.

Switching the enamel to a different colour – from sleek whites to eye-popping pinks – can help to ensure your stove adds an extra dimension to your home’s decor. Then there are wall-mounted and pedestal versions, or even models that appear to be suspended in the centre of a room.

The classic double-aspect stove is another great choice; and has now been taken a step further with the introduction of show-stopping 360° designs. If you prefer a clean look, then a cassette model that fits flush with the wall – perhaps integrated into a log store – could be an ideal option.

3) How much heat can I get?

The vast majority of stoves are sold as individual appliances designed to provide a cosy atmosphere in a single room. You can get a general idea of the size of room heater you need by measuring the space in cubic metres (L x W x H) and dividing this figure by 14 to reveal a rough estimate of the kilowatt (kW) output required. For example, a 7m (L) x 5m (W) x 2.4m (H) living room might need a 6kW stove – but you should always use a qualified heating engineer to determine the exact output required.

Some appliances can be hooked up to radiator-based central heating and even supply domestic hot water for taps and other outlets. Typically, these boiler stoves can run around 12 radiators either as the primary heat source or in tandem with a conventional gas or oil-fired boiler (in which case the stove works to reduce your reliance on fossil fuels). Stovax’s Stockton 14HB is a 14kW model able to supply enough hot water for a network of 19 standard-size radiators.

Double Sided Wood Burning Stove

We love this style and it’s a popular choice when you want to heat a large room effectively, the double sided door design is a great feature to have on those cold winter days.

Double Sided Woodburning Stoves Fireplaces Sales Delivery Installation Restoration Antique Cast Iron Milti Fuel- 4) How efficient are woodburning stoves?

There’s really no comparison between stoves, which burn at between 70%-85% efficiency, and open fires that waste about 90% of the warmth they generate by blowing it straight up the chimney. But how do woodburners size up to conventional boiler-powered central heating systems?

According to the Energy Saving Trust, a log-fuelled boiler stove hooked up to radiators should cost around £90 less to run every year than gas-fired heating. However, unlike some types of biomass, log burners aren’t eligible for payments under the Renewable Heat Incentive. If you’re interested in taking advantage of this scheme, then you’ll need to invest in either a wood pellet stove or a full-blown biomass boiler.

5) What features should I look out for?

Modern stoves offer a plethora of advantages over older models – mainly aimed at either boosting efficiency or improving views of the flames. Airwash technology, which is fairly standard these days, draws air down the inside of the window to help keep it clean and get rid of performance-impairing residues. This air will also act as the primary supply for combustion of the wood.

To further improve performance, cleanburn systems introduce secondary and tertiary air into the chamber. By combusting the excess hydrocarbons in the smoke, this boosts thermal efficiency and ensures a cleaner burn – reducing the amount of unpleasant particles that go up the chimney.

If you live in a smoke control area, you can still have a stove. Many models offer a smokeless burn – check whether the product you’re interest in carries a Defra exemption certificate.

6) Who can install my stove?

Heritage Fireplaces offer installation – Call us on 0116 251 9592 with your location for an accurate cost proposal.

Fitting a woodburner is notifiable work, so your installation must conform to the Building Regulations. The most straightforward route to compliance is to use a suitably-qualified HETAS engineer, who will be able to self-certify the job as a competent person.

This isn’t just a case of nestling an appliance into an existing chimney. All woodburners need a flue to channel the expelled emissions out of the home.

This will usually be run up your chimney, which may need to be re-lined at a cost of around £900-£1,100. Typically, your installer will also deal with calculating the right size of stove and, once it’s commissioned, run you through how to operate the appliance effectively.

7) Which woods work best?

As a rule, hardwood is your best bet for fuelling a stove. Its density means a cubic metre of this fuel can weigh up to 50% more than the same volume of softwood. So if you’re buying by volume (which is pretty common) you’ll get more fuel, a longer lasting burn and have less need for storage space by opting for hardwoods such as ash, oak and beech.

If there’s any excess moisture in the timber, it will take time to boil away in your stove – producing steam rather than heat and reducing its efficiency. In the worst case scenario, the wood may even produce tars that could damage the stove lining. So it’s important to only use properly seasoned products – and most stove manufacturers recommend wood that’s been taken down to a moisture content of 25% or less.

With hardwoods, this will generally mean using logs that have been cut and split well before they’re to be used and that have gone through at least two summers’ worth of air-drying before buying. It is possible to purchase green wood for home drying, but bear in mind you’ll need a significant amount of storage space for this, and will probably need to split the logs yourself.

8) Where can I store the fuel?

It’s vital that you keep your seasoned wood in a suitably dry place; a well-ventilated shed with one open end is a good option for long-term storage. Logs should always be kept off the ground – typically by stacking them on top of the biggest lengths, with gaps for air to circulate. The firewood should always be cut to the right length at least six months before it’s to be burned to ensure that it dries out properly. Splitting it to expose a greater surface area will help, too.

You can buy pre-seasoned fuel from the likes of Log Delivery and Certainly Wood; both offer kiln-dried hardwoods, too, which should be ready-to-use within two weeks of delivery. The Forestry Commission recommends you bring wood indoors for a few days prior to use.

9) What about stove maintenance?

Provided you stay on top of basic upkeep, such as clearing out the ashes and removing any stubborn soot from the glass and internal surfaces, you should get 20+ years of life out of your new woodburning stove (though most warranties stretch to just five years).

It’s worth keeping an eye out for signs of potential problems – such as holes in the ash pan, cracks or spots of rust in the finish. If you notice any of these, it’s time to call in a specialist. Most manufacturers strongly recommend a professional annual service (at around £70-£100) both of the stove and, importantly, of the chimney and flue.

10) How much do woodburning stoves cost?

A small room-heating woodburner can start from as little as £600 – but even with this kind of installation, you may be looking at upwards of £1,500 once you’ve factored in professional fitting and a new flue. A constructional hearth (which can be required for the setup to meet Building Regulations) will cost at least £350. If you’ve set your heart on a high-end product or you’re opting for a boiler model that requires new pipework, you can expect to pay significantly more – typically anything from £3,000 to £7,000 in total.

The Alpha 1 4.9 kW Multi Fuel Stove

Reference: DOC-ALPH1 – The Alpha 1 multi fuel stove features state-of-the-art clean burn pre-heated tertiary air which wrings out every last bit of heat from your fuel to maximise efficiency and create a greener, better burning stove. 84% efficiency. Maximum Output 4.9 kW.

Call us on 0116 251 9592 quoting the Britain’s Heritage Fireplaces reference “DOC-ALPH1” or fill out our contact us form here.

Multi Fuel Stove Details

  • Brand Name: Docherty
  • Fuel Type: MULTI FUEL
  • Colours: Black
  • Finish: High Temperature Paint
  • Width: 445mm
  • Height: 605mm
  • Depth: 401mm
  • Output: 4.9 kW

Features

  • Adjustable Feet
  • 5 “(125) Flue Pipe
  • NO Additional Room Air Vent Required
  • Flue outlet TOP and REAR
  • Heat Efficient
Prices adjusted for accuracy – Original article by Chris Bates

Antique Fireplaces – Reproduction Styles

Antique Fireplace Designs With A Modern Twist

When it comes to modern fireplace design, a lot of people are selecting options that give the look and ambience of a standard log fire, but with the added convenience of being gas fired. Of course, this isn’t going to be a suitable solution for everybody, as rural locations are often without a gas connection, but for anybody living in a more urban setting, a gas fire is a terrific idea.

Gas Fireplaces and Mantel Surrounds

All the gorgeous good looks of a working fireplace, but with none of the mess. What could be better or more modern? Nothing, when natural slate trims and a slimline mantle is included to finish the whole installation. Our Slate Surrounds are a great example of how homely yet contemporary a fireplace can look.
Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

Fireplace Restoration UK Nationwide

Do you already own an antique fireplace and want to breathe new life into it? You may already have a room in mind that you would like to to feature.

Britain’s Heritage are renowned experts at restoring and repairing fireplaces and aga cookers, our door to door service means that even if you aren’t local to us in Leicester we can arrange to pick up your fireplace and carry out the restoration and respraying in our workshops and deliver it right back to your doorstep.

Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

Contemporary Fireplace Ideas


When an extremely contemporary fireplace design is the only thing that will do, flush-fitting inset options are absolutely the way to go and because they look so incredibly beautiful, they are often mounted in such a way as to replace a television as well. We certainly don’t think there’s a TV programme that can compete with the good looks of a style such as this one!

In terms of fireplace ideas, modern inset boxes are really rising in popularity right now and though they will incur specialist fitting fees, they are more than worth the investment. Negating nothing in the way of heating potential, while creating an absolutely incredible focal point, these long, lean and dramatic designs are adaptable enough to work in a new build home or even a rustic property that could use a little updating.

Original Edwardian Cast Iron Fireplaces with Tiles

Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged

Any modern living room with fireplace potential can be brought to life and warmed up no end, even if the space seems a little awkward or weirdly shaped. A great example of original an Edwardian fireplace will be the centre of attention in the room. This example features original green and white tiles.

So many people seem to be labouring under the misconception that to have a fireplace, a proper hearth and central position is needed, however even the most unusual walls and rooms can be made to accommodate a terrific statement fireplace such as this.

Luxury Fireplace Mantels Antique Reproductions

marble Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

Fireplace mantels are a fantastically traditional motif that heritage homes love to showcase but they are in no way mandatory! Here, we see a Georgian period  marble contemporary fireplace, the overarching sense of luxury and showmanship isn’t lost at all, thanks to a decadent marble surround being included.

Fitting flush to the wall, the marble here adds in a sense of traditional glamour and really frames the fire itself, just without a shelf for displaying trinkets and accessories. By using a small coffee table as a display stand instead, the fireplace itself has been kept simple and sleek, which allows the functionality to shine through. We feel warmer just looking at it, so who actually needs a mantle these days?

Rustic Meets Modern Fire Baskets

Fire Basket Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

No rustic or country home is complete without a gorgeous fireplace, but that doesn’t have to mean that a dirty hearth and messy grate have to be tolerated. Modern Fire Basket designs are absolutely mastering the art of combining effective heating with stylish aesthetics and, as an extra touch of genius, can even be likened to hearty woodburner styling too.

This amazing fireplace has all the charm of a woodburner but has been finished in such a way as to offer a contemporary feel that really livens up what looks to be a lovely country property. Set into a dedicated chimney breast, this steel or brass basket creates such a neat and ordered aesthetic but still manages to be the cosy heart of the home. Contemporary meets rustic; who knew that such a thing could exist and work so well?

Antique Room Accessories Of Interest

While the installation here is not a fireplace per se, adding an original wall light fitting does give a good idea of how stylishrooms can be elavated with accessories.

Things have come a long way since old fashioned designs, but sometimes only the original retro feel of a Georgian, Edwardian or Victorian fire surround, brass lamps or grate will do.

Check out our Antique Special Offers here

Brass lamp pretro vintage antique

All images copyright Britains Heritage 2018.

Antique Fireplace Buying Guide 2018

Antique Fireplaces, Reproduction and Vintage Repairs

A fireplace is usually the focal point in any room, whether it’s a cosy roaring open fire, a contemporary fire basket, a gas fire or an antique cast iron fireplace surround, so it’s imperative to get it just right.

Antique Victorian Stone Fireplaces

How to choose the right style of antique stone fireplaces.

Some customers are looking to reinstate original features in their period property, so we take time to ask questions about the overall style and era of the home, whether it’s Georgian, a Victorian town house or a listed Regency or Louis mansion – we have extensive experience to give great advice.

Then there’s the homeowners who are looking for a reproduction fireplace with a variety of features that will blend perfectly with modern colour schemes.

What Year Was Your House Built? Is it Victorian or Georgian?

When we speak to our customers over the phone or in person at our Leicester showroom helping them to choose a fireplace for their property, our first question to them is usually “How old is your house?”

 

Our Boscombe Surround and Hearth limestone fireplace (below) impresses with a timeless classic design and superior quality workmanship, plus it features a chamber inner hearth and stove or a panel for gas fires.

Antique Limestone Fireplace Surround UK

Antique Marble Fireplace Surrounds

We have an extensive range of genuine antique marble fireplaces which you can buy online. Here we showcase a fireplace which is of breathtaking beauty.

Antique Edwardian Carrara Marble Chimney Piece

Heritage Fireplaces acquired this Edwardian beauty and carefully restored to it’s former glory. It’s a large piece – the dimensions are as follows: Opening Width: 37.76″ (959mm), Opening Height: 37.28″ (947mm), Opening Rebate: 0.98″ (25mm), Shelf Width: 68.11″ (1730mm), Shelf Depth: 10″ (254mm), Height: 47.01″ (1194mm) and the width across the legs is 61.77″

Antique Edwardian Fireplace Carrara Marble Chimney Piece

Choosing the right size of a fireplace for your room

Get out your tape measure and find out the following measurements before you start shopping for your fireplace:

  • The height, width and depth of the fireplace opening
  • The entire width of the chimney breast in total
  • Dimensions of the room and the wall chosen for installation
  • The ceiling height from the floorboards upwards

Choosing the right size fireplace

Should the fireplace opening be slightly off centre on the chimney breast  simply take the shortest measurement from the opening to the edge of the chimney breast. Tip: The fireplace shelf should not go beyond the chimney breast, it’s considered to look better when the shelf is at least one inch from each opposite edge of the chimney breast.

Send a message via our Contact Form should you need help with this.

 

Victorian and Edwardian Antique Fireplace Tiles

In the latter periods of the Victorian and Edwardian era, the fireplaces often had tiled inserts. Tiled inserts require a larger opening so be vigilant when measuring up for your room to allow for this. Here at Britain’s Heritage we always have stock featuring a diverse range of original antique and reproduction tiles available.

ANTIQUE Victorian MAJOLICA LEAF Fireplace TILE SET

ANTIQUE Victorian MAJOLICA LEAF Fireplace TILE SETThis Majolica Leaf Antique Fireplace Tile set includes both sides to suit a cast iron tiled fireplace. Unusual rare set date unknown prob. around 1890s.

For Tiled Inserts for these Tiles please Click Here to Open Tiled Cast Iron Inserts Pages!

Antique Fireplace Restoration Services UK Nationwide

How much does it cost to restore a fireplace or old Aga? Every project is unique so therefore every price is unique and dependent on the materials required and the amount of hours’ labour that’s needed to bring back a fireplace to near original condition.

·  First of all, take several photographs and email us direct on info@britainsheritage.co.uk

·  Remember to provide as much information about the fireplace, dimensions, history (if known). Is the restoration request simply down to age or was there accidental damage, for example?

·  Depending on the size of the job we will provide a telephone, email, hard copy quotation or proforma invoice.

·  Our courier will call the customer on the phone in advance of picking up the fireplace to arrange a suitable date.

·  What’s the courier cost? Is this pick up and delivery? Prices are from £70 each way.

Read our full Restoration FAQ’s here.

We are proud to be experts in fully restoring antique fireplaces, sales of reproduction and antique fireplaces and stoves throughout the UK. Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

Britain’s Heritage stock of original antique fireplaces includes elegant carved Georgian Fireplaces and Hob Grates, French Marble, Victorian Fireplaces and Edwardian Fireplaces as well as a range of Art Nouveau and 1930’s Art Deco . All fireplaces and surrounds are fully restored to their original splendor.

Our Leicester showroom is open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm – Closed Sunday & Monday. Pop in for free advice, we’re looking forward to helping you with your next project.