Category Archives: Uncategorized

Why do I need a stove fan?

WHY DO I NEED A STOVE FAN?

A stove fan is a heat powered fan that helps to distribute the stoves heat more evenly in the room.  Particularly useful when the stove is not centrally located, it helps to move the warm air around to achieve a comfortable room temperature more quickly and evenly.  Can make the stove look cluttered, and they cannot be used on some modern convector type stoves.

A good quality stove fan will circulate warm air around a wide area using energy generated by your stove heat. The fan speed will vary depending on the temperature of your stove, but it should operate very quietly.


J DAY STONEWORKS EXPERTS RATING – 3/5  Individual circumstances dictate how much benefit will be derived from these devices, but improves heating efficiency in most cases.

Sovereign Stone

Sovereign Stone Mantels

Sovereign Stone Mantel
Sovereign Stone Mantel – Beaumont in Venetian Marble

Sovereign Stone’s company vision is “to manufacture and supply beautiful, eclectically designed fireplaces to the highest quality standards using natural materials”.

Part of Capital Fireplaces, The Sovereign Stone selection comes from some of the most famous quarries in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Sovereign Stone Mantel
Sovereign Stone Mantel – Beaumont in Venetial Marble (no shelf)

The Sovereign mantel range

The Sovereign mantel range has been designed specifically to complement certain room sizes, certain fireplaces and certain fireplace openings.

The mantels are substantial in proportions and generous in the use of material whilst being versatile in application. They suit large rooms with high ceilings and rooms that can accommodate an imposing mantel.

Sovereign Stone
Sovereign Stone – Carisbrooke in Agean Limestone

Each mantel offers a 36”x36” fire opening and they naturally combine well when used with stoves, large solid fuel baskets and large landscape gas fires as the interior feature.

The Sovereign mantel range has three distinct stone material options, each with different qualities to offer you a wide individual buying choice.  Sovereign Stone mantels are available in a choice of three natural materials:

Umbrian limestone that is unique to one quarry in Iberia and in a

Sovereign Stone Mantel
Sovereign Stone Mantel – Roseland in Agean Limestone

honed finish offers a homely rustic feel. Varying natural movement and veining make it perfect for a natural country house look.

The honed Agean limestone presents a cleaner, more consistent colour.

The Sovereign Venetian marble is of the finest quality. With its highly polished finish and striking appearance, marble of this quality has been the classical designer’s choice since Renaissance times. Full of natural movement and colour variance this stone provides a completely unique and stunning period fireplace.

For more information pop into the show room to see the mantels for yourself or visit the Sovereign website.

Wessex Stone

"<yoastmark

Wessex Stone Fireplaces

Wessex Stone Fireplaces have been hand crafting natural limestone fire surrounds for over 21 years.  Their workshops lie deep in the heart of Gloucestershire on the outskirts of the Cotswold market town of Tetbury.

"<yoastmark

From this site English Heritage approved masons select stone for its character, quality and colour before shaping the surround by hand with mallet and chisel.

Visit our showroom in Colney Heath to see the quality of Wessex Stone surrounds for yourself.

Each stone component is carefully selected for its quality and colour match before being skillfully shaped by mallet and chisel in the time honoured fashion.  This craft has remained largely unchanged for well over two thousand years. Wessex Stone Fireplaces parent company Wells Masonry Services specialise in the creation and restoration of fine stone architectural masonry.

Wessex prides itself on its flexibilty in being able to provide exactly what each client requires. They can modify existing designs to suit any need. Their craftsman also have the capability to design and produce bespoke surrounds to a client’s individual specification.

Discuss your personal requirements with us and we will then work with Wessex to create the special surround that is your vision.

Your surround can be hand carved to adopt any particular theme to feature any intricate example of the carving mason’s art. Visit our Fireplace Shop in Colney Heath to find out more.

Hotpod

Hotpod

The Hotpod company was set up by Dan Harding and Lucy Aldridge in 2005 to make and sell the things Dan made as a Blacksmith and for Lucy’s work as a Yoga teacher.

Hotpod is a range of uniquely designed, extremely efficient yet incredibly simple wood burning and multi fuel stoves hand-built in Cornwall, England by artist blacksmith Dan Harding.   We love the quirky design and character of the Hotpod and it takes pride of place in the reception of our showroom in Colney Heath.

Hotpod stove origins

Dan has been making stoves from recycled materials since 1992, originally out of necessity, for heating his VW surf-bus in the winter. The design steadily evolved until in 2001 Dan made the gas bottle stove which all the Hotpods are copies of, for his and Lucy’s first house.

The Limited Edition

In 2005 Hotpod was born as Dan and Lucy got involved in BBC2’s experimental programme “How to pay off your mortgage in 2 years”. It was decided that Dan would make and sell copies of Lucy’s stove and turn it into a business.

The Unlimited

In 2007, after the programme had finished, Dan and Lucy reinvested in the business in partnership with the programme’s presenter, business guru René Carayol, and started working on the Hotpod Unlimited, the cast iron version of the original Hotpods. The Hotpod Unlimited launched in 2009 and in 2011 was tested for full EN13240 Compliance and passed with flying colours and an amazing 81% efficiency. At the same time it was put forward for DEFRA exemption for use in smoke free zones and this was awarded in October 2011.

The Nautipod

Nautipod
Nautipod

in 2012, a good friend of Dan and Lucy had just finished building his Cornish Lugger and was looking for a suitable stove. That search brought him to Hotpod HQ to see if Dan had any ideas. Dan found a piece of 200mm square tube under the bench and it was tried in place in the boat and was a perfect fit. A few weeks later, the original Nautipod was born. Dan realised the potential of the stove for use in spaces for which the Hotpod was too hot. Development was slow but after selling 11 prototypes from word of mouth it was finally ready for the world at the end of 2015.

The Special Edition

Still effectively a prototype, the Special Edition has been in production since 2010 but there have only been 5 built so far and they have all been red. They have not been offered for sale until now as there have been assembly issues with enamel chipping where parts fit together. Dan now has this issue fixed and they are now offered as part of the Hotpod range and can be almost any colour and can even be colour matched from a pantone number.

Westfire

Westfire designs stoves with great care and attention to detail.  Think Scandinavian design and build quality with a lower price tag.

Westfire is a tried-and-tested concept, with attention paid to every detail.

With many years’ experience in the development of exciting and functional solutions for the home they offer both hearth plates and chimneys. These products complement their range of stunning wood burning stoves, making it easy to create a stylish and exclusive look in your home.

West fire manufactures a range of highly functional wood burning stoves that meet the most stringent requirements for environmentally friendly combustion.  Convection stoves heat the air and spread it evenly throughout the room.

Danish Design

The Danes have always had a love for fireplaces and stoves.

Danish-made fireplaces and wood burning stoves build on age-old traditions and excel in terms of both design and functionality.

Since the first energy crises of the 1970s, a number of key manufacturers have developed a reputable line of solid, attractive wood burning stoves, convection stoves and fireplaces.  Focus has been on design solutions, environmental considerations and fuel economy.

Most wood burning stoves and fireplaces are easy to use. They are usually simple to light using a few firelighters, and the heat is often as easily regulated as on a radiator. We recommend using only clean, dry wood in your fireplace or stove, and making sure there is a good supply of oxygen when lit. Burn only small amounts of wood at a time as too much wood can lower the combustion temperature too far.

To find out more about West fire check out their website.

Westfire