Fireplace advice

Snyper564

Snyper564

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Hey guys. This may be a bit of a strange request but we are thinking about putting in a fireplace at home. We have a wheeled around gas heater that functions well but we want something that's great for heating and great for ambience. At the moment we are looking at gas, cast iron and anthracite. What would you recommend from experience or would you recommend against it all together. As I said its both for heating and ambience.
 
They are all good options.
Gas is more convenient and less messy.
Open Fireplace looks great, but depending on where you put it, it pretty much only heats the room you are in. Getting wood is a year long process, unless you are prepared to for out money to get it delivered.
Anthracite can also be messy and requires constant supervision to keep it going, restarting it is a pain in the neck. Anthracite is not so cheap anymore.
 
LazyLion said:
They are all good options.
Gas is more convenient and less messy.
Open Fireplace looks great, but depending on where you put it, it pretty much only heats the room you are in. Getting wood is a year long process, unless you are prepared to for out money to get it delivered.
Anthracite can also be messy and requires constant supervision to keep it going, restarting it is a pain in the neck. Anthracite is not so cheap anymore.
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Thanks for that, trying to steer clear of the open fireplace and based on what you are saying away from anthracite as well. My folks live on a plot so there is access to LOADS of wood!
 
im looking at doing the closed combustion wood fireplaces.
 
I've a cast iron stove (closed combustion) and love it. Can use wood, anthracite or eco-logs. Important to have a quality stainless steel chimney installed (flue & cowl). I learn't that the hard way and had to replace mine this year.

I use eco-logs that are made down the road from me so buy on demand as they are always dry. My up country family use anthracite instead.

So many options on the market today so find what you like.
 
What about ceramic fireplaces? My parents regularly need to open doors and windows because it is too hot (the space is roughly 45m²) even though they only feed it a few pieces of wood each hour
 
Archer said:
What about ceramic fireplaces? My parents regularly need to open doors and windows because it is too hot (the space is roughly 45m²) even though they only feed it a few pieces of wood each hour
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That would be from over firing the fire place. I bought on of those fireplace thermometers and it really has helped me a lot. Learning to use the flaps for the amount of wood you are using will control the temp as well.

I also moved my fireplace to a sport in my lounge that circulates the hot air better, it use to be in the corner and not it is near a passage entrance.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
I've a cast iron stove (closed combustion) and love it. Can use wood, anthracite or eco-logs. Important to have a quality stainless steel chimney installed (flue & cowl). I learn't that the hard way and had to replace mine this year.

I use eco-logs that are made down the road from me so buy on demand as they are always dry. My up country family use anthracite instead.

So many options on the market today so find what you like.
Click to expand...

Which brand? I think I am leaning in this direction. Will also be going the stainless flue route :) Thanks for that advice, so that mistake wont be made.

I see megamaster sell cast iron with doors (Are these closed combustion?) and a closed combustion range? Whats the difference.
 
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Snyper564 said:
Which brand? I think I am leaning in this direction. Will also be going the stainless flue route :) Thanks for that advice, so that mistake wont be made.

I see megamaster sell cast iron with doors (Are these closed combustion?) and a closed combustion range?
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This is what I have. Got mine from Builders originally but bought my new flue kit from these guys. You should find similar suppliers up country

https://gcfires.co.za/showroom/invincible-helderberg/
 
I have diddly-squat experience in these things. Depending on finances, we'd like to do it next year or thereafter.

Will chip in that whoever installs it, make sure they have experience in this and have public liability insurance.

May also want to let your broker or insurance company know that you are installing a fireplace. It changes the risk and exposure to fire increases, even if it is only a wee bit. There's no point in installing a fireplace at cost, (God forbid) your home happens to burn and the company rejects the claim because of non disclosure.

Unfortunately I have seen companies try to reject bigger claims over pithy issues. Some will if the claim happens to be big.
 
McT said:
I have diddly-squat experience in these things. Depending on finances, we'd like to do it next year or thereafter.

Will chip in that whoever installs it, make sure they have experience in this and have public liability insurance.

May also want to let your broker or insurance company know that you are installing a fireplace. It changes the risk and exposure to fire increases, even if it is only a wee bit. There's no point in installing a fireplace at cost, (God forbid) your home happens to burn and the company rejects the claim because of non disclosure.

Unfortunately I have seen companies try to reject bigger claims over pithy issues. Some will if the claim happens to be big.
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+100

I've installed mine (twice) and did a lot of research. I'm shocked at how many people have bad installation done and people who had to put out fires in their ceilings because of them.

It is really not worth doing it yourself and next time I will pay a company to do mine, or in this case redo mine. Trying to install 7m of chimney by yourself is no joke, especially when it has no supports.

Other issues from experience is having a chimney installed too short, in a place with turbulence, not using silicon seals for the roof resulting in rain leaks and having the wrong cowl installed for your area.
 
I love my jetmaster in the winter. We go through three R10 bags of wood a night though... plus a bottle of red wine :eek:
 
cbrunsdonza said:
That would be from over firing the fire place. I bought on of those fireplace thermometers and it really has helped me a lot. Learning to use the flaps for the amount of wood you are using will control the temp as well.

I also moved my fireplace to a sport in my lounge that circulates the hot air better, it use to be in the corner and not it is near a passage entrance.
Click to expand...

Honestly if they used any less wood the fire would go out. My dad typically waits until the previous batch (3 pieces max) is just coals and only then will he put another 2-3 pieces on. And there are no flappy things, it is one solid piece

I'll admit though that when I still lived there I did sometimes make the fire white hot :eek:
 
hsmnel said:
Use these guys for a close combustion. http://www.eurofireplaces.co.za/
I have bought 2 units from them and with the R800 delivery fee it is still half the price of the Gauteng suppliers.
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OMW thanks so much! some really nice units and GREAT prices!

What is the general price for installations. What should one typically expect?
 
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Snyper564 said:
OMW thanks so much! some really nice units and GREAT prices!

What is the general price for installations. What should one typically expect?
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What I've seen is generally around R10k-12k for the flue and installation
 
eehellfire said:
What I've seen is generally around R10k-12k for the flue and installation
Click to expand...

Great thanks!

We are currently in home renovation mode and these fireplaces have always caught my eye. This winter is pretty much over but super keen for next year, might snag a great "special" as we heading out of season soon.

Does this kind of thing add much value to your property? I mean I want one cause I want one but from a value adding perspective?
 
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