1. Performance and environmental friendliness
This is the key question if you wish to use your wood-burning stove or open fireplace as your main source of heating. It is important to note that for several years now, as part of air quality protection schemes, a number of regions – notably Île-de-France and Rhône-Alpes – have banned open fireplaces as a primary heating source, as they are highly inefficient and a source of fine particle emissions.
Consequently, to meet these guidelines relating to both the environment and energy efficiency, you should install a fireplace insert or a dual-combustion wood-burning stove to boost your energy efficiency. These offer particularly impressive energy efficiency, reaching up to 80%, with the cost of firewood at 4 pence per kWh, whereas the cost of electricity is 15 pence.
2. Adding character to your home
Designers of built-in fireplaces offer a wide range of models featuring innovative materials such as concrete, as well as sleek, minimalist designs. Gone are the days of imposing fireplaces with marble mantelpieces that take up an entire wall! The new generation of fireplaces favours understated elegance.
They can be built into a wall or fitted into a corner. They come in a wide range of colours to blend in with your interior, offering all the benefits of a heat source whilst reflecting your personal taste. As for the wood-burning stove, it can be positioned centrally as the centrepiece of your living room, or set back with integrated flues, offering a simple yet effective solution. This will add real value to your home, whether for everyday living or for a potential sale.
3. Show off the best features of your home
Your living room or bedroom will become much more welcoming with the addition of a fi.replace or stove. Whether it’s a built-in fireplace, a freestanding fireplace or a masonry heater, these will form a central feature of your interior design. If you have a conservatory or a pool house, a fireplace or stove will enhance these spaces and create a cosy atmosphere in your home.
If you place your stove near the kitchen, you can make use of a range of accessories, such as a simmering plate. You could also opt for one of our Lohberger wood-burning cookers or our Vermont Castings wood-burning stoves, which allow you to both heat your home and cook.
These clever inserts are designed to be installed in corners. Not only do they take up minimal space, but their heat output is also increased. This is an option that is becoming increasingly popular with consumers looking to make the most of their living space.
4. Brighten up your home with colour
Whilst insert fireplaces are available in a wide range of colours, featuring ceramic or other brick cladding, stoves are also moving away from their traditional grey tones. JC BORDELET offers a colour chart ranging from white to black, including green, red and orange. Some even feature patterns for an even more personalised look (tiger-striped, zebra-striped, etc.). Why not brighten up your home with a coloured model (over 180 colours in the catalogue)!
Whatever the size of your property and its layout, there are insert fireplaces, open fireplaces and wood-burning stoves to suit your needs. Seek advice from a certified installer who can help guide you towards the solution best suited to your requirements.