FAQs

Fireplaces

Q1: What materials and colours are available for mantels, back panels and hearths?
A1: Materials such as wood, marble and stone have always been popular choices for mantels. Examples of these can be seen in our showroom with many being made to order so colours and sizes are very flexible.
Back panels and hearths can also be made to measure and are generally manufactured from marbles, granites, slates, stones and tiles. When considering the use of a solid fuel burning fire, man made materials such as micro and conglomerate marbles are not recommended. Fireplaces manufactured in cast iron are also a popular choice and can be used with the use of gas, solid fuel and electric fires, examples of which can be found in our showrooms.

Q2: Are fireplaces built to a standard size?
A2: Fireplaces are available in numerous shapes and sizes with no overall standard. The important thing to consider is whether the fireplace proportions are suitable for the room.

Q3: Can I buy mantels, back panels, hearths and fires individually or do you just sell complete fireplaces?
A3: In most cases we can supply the individual parts of the fireplace. This can keep the cost down if you are wanting to simply give your existing fireplace a face lift.

Flues and Fires

Q1: What type of flue/chimney do I have?
A1:
Class1, for use with solid fuels and gas
Class 1 conventional chimneys are easily recognised by their brick or sometimes stone construction and have a minimum internal diameter of 7". The stack will rise above the roof line and should terminate with a traditional chimney pot or gas terminal. This type of chimney relies on the natural circulation of heated air to expel the products of combustion up the chimney.

Pre-fabricated Flues (Class 2), for use with gas only
A Class 2 pre-fabricated flue is usually identified by an existence of metal pipe with and gas terminal penetrating from the roof. A Class 2 pre-fabricated flue has a minimum internal diameter of 5" and works in the same way as a normal Class 1 chimney.

PRE-CAST Flue (Class 2 ), for use with gas only
Many modern homes have been built with such flues. It can be identified by either a raised ridge terminal or a metal cowl similar to a pre-fabricated flue. These flues tend to be very shallow in depth so a slimmer fire is often required. Deep appliances however can sometimes be installed by using a spacer kit or a deeper rebate on the fireplace mantel.

Power Flue / Fan Flue
The fan or power flue is a gas fired open fronted appliance that can be used where there is not a suitable chimney of flue present in the room. An electronically driven fan system is supplied with each appliance and is mounted directly behind the fire on an external wall. When the fire is ignited the fan switches on automatically, expelling the products of combustion through a metal pipe to the outside.

Balance Flue
A balance flue is a gas fired glass fronted appliance that can be used where there is not a suitable chimney or flue present in the room. Each appliance has its own twin-wall flue pipe that exits horizontally through an external wall or sometimes vertically through the roof. No electric supply or fan is required therefore the fire is silent and more efficient.

Q2: Does my chimney need lining?
A2: If a chimney is in a sound condition and it passes a smoke and pressure test on the day of installation then a liner is not normally required. On some occasions a manufacturer insists a liner is fitted with their appliances thus aiding running efficiency. As a company we can install liners for both gas and solid fuel appliances.

Q3: What fuel options are available for my fire?
A3: If there is a natural gas or electric supply to the home then either gas or electric fires can be used. Electric fires offer the flexibility off being able to be fitter in almost any. Gas fires can offer a greater heat out put, but choices can be limited depending on the type of flue available. When a natural gas supply is not available, then the use of bottled LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) is an option. Many natural gas fired appliances can be converted to use LPG. If a house has a sound working class 1 chimney and is out of the smoke control areas then burning solid fuels such as wood and coal becomes an option. Our showrooms offer products to suit all these fuel types and our fitters are qualified and experienced in the installation of all these products. For more information please pay one of our showrooms a visit.

Q4: Will I need an air vent in the room?
A4: For a solid fuel appliances, if the heat output is rated above 5Kw/h or the manufacture specifies, then a dedicated air vent is required. For a gas fire, if the heat input is rated above 7Kw/h or the manufacture specifies, then a dedicated air vent is required. All flueless gas fires require a dedicated air vent.

Fitting

Q1: Who will fit my fireplace?
A1: Our time in the fireplace industry has shown us the importance of a quality installation service for fireplaces. This is why at the Derby and Nottingham Fireplace Company we only use our own experienced teams of Gas Safe registered (Formaly Corgi) and HETAS registered installers, WE DO NOT USE SUBCONTRACTORS.
From the fitting of a new gas or electric fire into your existing fireplace to the full removal and installation of traditional solid fuel stoves or modern hole in the wall fireplaces, we can undertake it all. Our teams of installers are more then just gas engineers, they are competent at all aspects of fireplace installation from the fitting of chimney liners, brick work and plastering to the commissioning of gas and solid fuel appliances.

Q2: Do you offer a site survey?
A2: Yes, our free of charge site survey follows the customers' showroom visit to asses that your chosen fireplace is suitable for your home. Based on this we can give you a full no obligation quotation for a team of our fitters to undertake the required works.