Fireplaces

Solid Fuel & Wood, Gas & Electric

With several components and factors to consider when installing or restoring a fireplace, our expert team are on hand to guide you through the process and find the right combination for you.

Our team have years of experience, and pride ourselves on giving supportive and honest advice to help you bring your vision to life. Find useful information throughout our website, or speak to our colleagues in the showroom for expert advice.

Visit our showroom

We stock a wide range of materials for installation and maintenance, including spare parts.

Installation Materials

Accessories

Spares

Approved Suppliers

We are main dealers for leading brands, who we have carefully selected as manufacturers that deliver the quality of workmanship we demand.

Choosing the fuel type for your fireplace

A fireplace is more than a heat source, it is the focal point of any room, so we listen to our customers and advise on the best solution for their individual requirements. Countrylife supply a wide range of traditional, contemporary and modern fireplaces, including the fireplace itself, the mantel, the hearth and everyting else. Click-through to learn more about each fuel type.

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The Traditional Choice

Aesthetic & Warmth

An open fire can create a real WOW factor and cosy atmosphere in a room with added sensory elements such as crackling and the smell of burning logs which can invoke a sense of nostalgia and comfort.

Requirements

Solid fuel and wood fireplaces require the correct chimney type and a natural stone hearth.

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Aesthetic & Warmth

Gas stoves can offer a real flame, creating that fireplace ambience with much less of the hassle and upkeep.

Efficiency

Gas fireplaces are very efficient, with low running costs. Even if you only have access to LPG (bottled gas), there are many stoves to choose from, with heating performances that will keep your room cosy on those cold winter nights. Gas-fueled fireplaces will keep your home warm even if there is a power cut or if you're reducing your electric use, as these fireplaces do not usually require an electrical supply.

Convenience

You never have to refuel or empty the ashes. Just turn it on, for almost instant heat.

Requirements

A non-combustible hearth such as natural stone.

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Real fire ambience, at the press of a button

Aesthetic & Warmth

An electric fireplace will provide you with all the comfort and realism of a real fire and can make a stylish statement in your home. Our electric fires give you all the colours and movement of real dancing flames above a bed of fuel. Electric flame pictures are now incredibly convincing and will become a main focal point in your home for years to come. Floor-mounted electric fires can be set in fireplaces made from timber, stone, or painted or veneered MDF in many colours. Some designs even have complementary furniture to match.

Electric fires are available floor or wall mounted, inset or outset, in many designs and colours, enabling you to create a unique ambience in your room.

Convenience

You do not require a chimney and many of the electric fires now have remote and thermostatic control, making them easy to use and easy to fit.

Space & Size

Where no recess exists, an extra 'spacer' can be supplied for most models, allowing them to fit flat to the wall or fireplace.

Choosing a hearth

Electric fireplaces offer more flexibility when choosing a hearth as they primarily are aesthetic, rather than offering functional heat-resistance, however, they must still meet manufacturing guidelines.

Deciding your mantel and hearth

Granite, slate, marble or limestone

Natural stone, such as those made from granite, marble, or limestone, offer a timeless and elegant look. They are highly durable and can withstand heat well, making them a long-lasting choice. However, natural stone can be higher in price and heavy, requiring solid support and professional installation. Each piece of stone is unique, adding a custom, natural aesthetic to the fireplace.

Non-combustible materials are essential for all solid wood and most gas fireplaces to meet building regulations.

Oak, Pine, Walnut or more..

Timber mantels, crafted from various types of wood such as oak, pine, or walnut, bring warmth and a traditional feel to a fireplace. Wood mantels and beams can be custom-carved and stained to match any decor. They are relatively easy to install and modify. However, timber is flammable and requires a proper distance from the firebox for safety. It may also need periodic maintenance to prevent warping or cracking.

Cast Iron

Cast iron mantels and hearths provide a vintage, industrial look and are known for their robustness and heat resistance. They can be ornately designed or sleek and modern, fitting various styles. Cast iron mantels are extremely durable and low maintenance. However, they are heavy and may require reinforced support. They can also be more expensive and challenging to install compared to other materials.

MDF

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) mantels offer a cost-effective and versatile option for those seeking a wood-like appearance without the high price of solid timber. MDF can be easily painted and shaped, providing a smooth and consistent finish. It's lightweight and simple to install. However, MDF is not as durable as real wood and can be susceptible to damage from heat and moisture over time.

Micromarble, Porcelain and more...

Manufactured stone mantels, beams and hearths, also known as cultured stone, are designed to mimic the appearance of natural stone but at a lower cost and weight. They are made from concrete and other materials, providing a wide range of styles and colours. Manufactured stone is easier to install than natural stone and is more budget-friendly. However, it may not have the same level of authenticity and durability as natural stone.

Many man-made stone are non-combustible, which is an essential requirement to meet building regulations for safety.

Each of these types of fireplace, mantel (surrounds) and hearths offers unique benefits and considerations, making it essential to evaluate your specific needs, budget, and design preferences when choosing the right combination for your fireplace. Visit our showroom, chat with our passionate staff and explore the vast range of fireplaces and stoves on display.

We stock most fuel types from kiln & solar-dried fire wood, to smokeless coal and biomass manufactured fuels.

Stoves

Fuel

Installation & Servicing Materials

We stock a wide range of materials, and can obtain most items within a few days

Whether you're making a repair, installing yourself, or need materials for an annual service, we have everything you need from sweeps, rods, caps, cowls, CO alarms, flue dampers, flue liners, air vents, rope seals, replacement glass, fire bricks and more.

Visit our showroom

Any installation of a heating appliance, or modification to a chimney such as relining, has to be carried out in accordance with Building Regulations (Part J and Part L in England and Wales). In England and Wales there is also a requirement that Building Control Consent is obtained for such work, unless a Qualified Competent Person carries out the work. (The governing bodies are HETAS for all solid fuel and woodburning appliances and Gas Safe for all gas work).

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Grates, Accessories & Spares

Traditional and modern grates, fireside tools and more

Ash rakes, chestnut roasters, match holders, toasting forks, pokers, bellows, sparkguards, nursery & safety guards, shovels, hearth tidies, tongs (for both wood and coal), log baskets and log carriers.

Visit our showroom

Est. 1978
The Store for All Seasons

Visit our showroom or call
01473 258 738

Fireplaces

Call

Email

Countrylife
4-14 Duke Street, Ipswich, IP3 0BQ

Est. 1978 The Store for All Seasons

Visit our showroom or call 01473 258 738

Fireplaces

Call

Est. 1978
The Store for All Seasons

Visit our showroom or call
01473 258 738