When buying firewood it should be properly seasoned. The best way to get seasoned wood is to buy this year’s wood for next year! Wood yards or sellers may tell you that even though the wood was split this year it will be just fine.
Seasoned wood is darker on the outside, it’s bone white on the inside. You should be looking for grey, or darkened, brittle wood that has a lot of cracks in the inner rings. Wood that is seasoned looks grey, or dark due to the fact that it has been sitting in the sun, or has been stored in doors, drying, and collecting dust.
Also testing the wood with a moisture meter is recommended.
Unseasoned wood will produce less heat than the equivalent seasoned and will also produce tar deposits in the chimney, with the possible result of chimney blockage or chimney fires.
For more information read the Stove Industry Alliance advice leaflet here: Using-Dry-Logs

There are numerous materials and styles that can be used as surround or hearth material, popular materials are sandstone and granite, which are cut and installed to exact specifications. Manufacturers brochures are really useful for browsing for ideas, also look at our case studies for further information

In some cases we may be able to connect an appliance to your existing chimney lining, dependent on the integrity and specifications of the lining in place.
Combustion appliances and their installation fall under Building Control Regulations and there are specific building regulations, detailed within Building Regulations 2010, Approved Document J, which require, by Law, to be adhered to. Dependent on requirement and installation type, we utilise 316 grade stainless steel liner for wood-burning appliances and 904 grade stainless steel liner for multi-fuel appliances.

Cast iron is the traditional material for wood burning manufacture, it is heavy and retains the heat for long periods but can be liable to cracking if warmed or cooled to quickly. Steel stoves are stronger but often more plainer in appearance as cast iron can be more decorative in design.

A wood-burning appliance is designed to operate using wood only. Most stoves come with a multi-fuel option, either as standard or as an additional extra, meaning that you can burn coal, smokeless fuels, wood and other manufactured fuels such as briquettes.

Yes. In many cases we can supply and fit a twin walled flue system where there is no existing chimney system, this is predominantly within new / contemporary housing, converted buildings and conservatories, and install a wood-burning or multi-fuel appliance to suit your needs.

Read a recent case study here.

Please contact us to book a site visit so we can accurately assess your individual requirements.