Andrew Munro, MD of CVO Fire, offers his predictions and advice for 2016 fires and fireplace trends
Trends
The two main predicted trends in interior design for 2016 are high efficiency and bespoke fireplace designs for special developments, where a one-off look that is unique to that property helps house builders to sell.
Domestic customers are more practical and tend to err towards efficiency but there is a real demand for clean lines and minimalism, using colours such as neutrals and black. This is largely because a fire becomes a focal point in a room and has to fit with the design style of that room, whether ‘shabby chic’ or something more modern.
One of the biggest shifts as 2015 has progressed is that people are definitely moving back to gas from wood-burning fires as gas can create a much cleaner look and one of the cheapest fuels to run if budget is key. Gas fires are more adaptable and are able to offer either a contemporary or traditional style. It is also straightforward for fireplace designers to provide bespoke options for gas fires, which isn’t always the case with wood burners. For example, a gas fire ribbon burner box is exceptionally adaptable design-wise. It is very easy to create a bespoke solution for developers and housebuilders tailored to the individual look required. The same burner can offer a host of very different style solutions in various design situations.
2016 is also going to see the demand for ‘high efficiency’ continue. Throughout 2015 sales of so-called ‘HE fires’ soared as people want lower heating bills and fewer emissions without compromising on style.
Gadgets are always popular too and, therefore, remote controls for fires are becoming a necessity, such as thermostatic remote controls which operate a fire to sustain an ambient temperature set for a particular room in the home.
Advice for choosing the right fire
Designers, developers and home owners are advised to consider the following when choosing their fire:
Which energy source will suit the property best? Natural gas, LPG, electric, bio-ethanol and wood-burning all offer different costs linked to heat output. Natural gas will always be the most cost efficient option especially if you opt for an energy efficient fire, such as HE or flueless.
How much heat is needed for the property? This sounds a strange question but is perhaps the most important. All fireplaces (except imitation electric fires) have a flame and that means they will produce heat. When you make the flame larger or wider then there will be more heat generated. When buying a fireplace you have to consider how often you will use it and enjoy the warmth and atmosphere that it creates. If you buy a very large fireplace for a small room it may be impractical as it will generate too much heat meaning you never have it switched on.
What flue system will you use? The flue system (or chimney) is used to take the products of combustion away from the fireplace. If you have a brick built chimney you may decide to keep it or change to a modern flue liner system. If you have no flue system in your home then you will need to consider a flueless gas fire, bio-ethanol, electric or balanced flue.
Budget – Knowing what you have to spend at the very start will make the process of choosing a fireplace easier. There are two main costs to consider – the cost of the actual appliance and the cost of the installation. You can buy a cheap fire but it could cost you a fortune to install if the correct planning has not been done first. Each type of fireplace has differing installation requirements and costs associated with it. Most importantly, you need to consider that ultimately homeowners will sit and look at the appliance and will not see the installation behind it. Too many people focus on buying a cheap gas fire or wood burning stove because so much of the budget is going on installation. This can result in the wrong type of appliance. The appliance should always cost more than installation.
Efficiency – As already mentioned, fireplaces have differing efficiency ratings based on the type of appliance. The fireplace type will decide if you will save money on your utility bills when using the heating appliance chosen. However this needs to be linked to a low cost fuel type like gas otherwise having an energy efficient appliance means nothing.
Ventilation – This is very important for health and safety reasons. Some types of fireplace need to have room ventilation provided by an air vent to the outside air. Can your property be fitted with an air vent? Older houses that may have had a coal fire when they were built may already have an air vent fitted, however this should be upgraded to a modern vent that will not allow drafts. The myth is that an air vent causes drafts. If there is a hole in the wall then there will be a draft. However if you invest about £35 in a modern high quality vent then drafts will not occur. The positioning of the vent is also critical.