Autumn fireplace ideas by Niall Deiraniya, general manager, DRU Fires UK

The Coronavirus pandemic has seen many people confined to their homes over the spring and summer, only going out for essential reasons such as food shopping and exercise.

One of the few positive outcomes of the crisis is that spending on home improvements has held up, and autumn is always a time when we turn to the fireplace for comfort.

And today’s contemporary fires offer a wealth of design options and striking architectural features that will grace any home, from the refurbishment of a single dwelling to new developments.

 

Refurbish your existing fireplace

The British fireplace is an iconic structure, which is renowned throughout the world. However, we don’t just have to settle for a traditional fire. You can easily replace the fire and surround with elegant new designs in gas or wood, which also deliver low emissions and much greater energy efficiency.

Take, for instance, the new Global by DRU 55XT CF gas fire. It fits into a Class 1 chimney with minimal building work, features the latest DRU Truflame log fire effect, can be combined with a range of beautiful fire surrounds and is at least 75% energy efficient.

The 55XT is also available as a balanced flue fire. This means that it can be installed using a false chimneybreast or by inserting the fire inside a cavity wall. Either way, it makes a stunning fireplace that will transform the living room.

 

The wonder of wood

Wood fires and stoves are still hugely popular and the latest, most efficient models are another great way to transform a tired looking fireplace.

Firstly, you can install a modern wood fire into the existing chimney with the help of a qualified HETAS engineer. You can even make use of the depth of the chimney to have a 2-sided or 3-sided model, like the Dik Geurts Instyle Corner pictured here, creating a beautiful flame picture from multiple viewing points.

Or how about hollowing out the chimney opening to accommodate a freestanding wood stove? This is easily achieved with models such as the Dik Geurts Ivar or Aste, which are designed to fit into Class 1 chimneys and combine rustic charm with modern, efficient performance.

Create a new architectural feature with your fire

Once you move the fire or stove away from the confines of the existing chimney, the possibilities are endless.

Contemporary gas fires with the balanced flue system are not limited in size or design. You can have 2 or 3-sided fires, tunnel fires and extra tall fires like the new Maestro 75 pictured here. They can be hidden behind false chimneybreasts or integrated into dramatic room dividing walls and other architectural features.

You can also select a stunning freestanding gas stove like the DRU Passo Eco Wave model, which has a fashionable cylindrical shape and a variety of elegant colour finishes.

These fires can be effortlessly controlled using a smartphone or tablet using the exclusive DRU Eco Wave app, integrating them into smart building control systems.

Contemporary wood fires and stoves have many of the same advantages but with even more possibilities. A good example is the Dik Geurts Bora with its attractive cubic design, flexible installation options and useful selection of log storage units and plinths

Bioethanol – the green solution

Many people are seeking alternative, green fuels to replace wood, gas or electricity as primary sources of home heating. One option that is becoming increasingly popular is bioethanol, an odourless, colourless liquid derived from renewable plants such as grain and hay.

Bioethanol fires are available in a surprising range of sizes and designs, including built-in, table-top and freestanding models. Ebios One 1000 is a versatile 1 metre long coffee table model that can be used in many places around the home.

Fires fuelled by bioethanol are 95% energy efficient, release water vapour with no harmful emissions and most require no chimney or flue, so they are the natural choice for a sustainable future.

Online CPD course

DRU has developed an online CPD course that enables architects and specifiers to update their knowledge of gas and wood fires and stoves, together with the latest technical innovations and energy efficiency standards. The course is available at www.ribacpd.com/dru.

So, as the country emerges from lockdown, take advantage of the growing interest in contemporary fires and stoves by home improvers and house builders.

For more information visit www.drufire.com